More mathematical people : contemporary conversations [Frist ed.]

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MORE HEMATICAL PEOPLE 8 I

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DONALD J. ALBERS GERALD L. ALEXANDERSON CONSTANCE REID

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MORE MATHEMATICAL PEOPLE Contemporary Conversations Edited by

Donald J. Albers Gerald L. Alexanderson Constance Reid

“It takes only a casual reading of this delightful, much-needed book to be impressed by the enor¬ mous variety among great mathematicians in their appearances, personalities, backgrounds, and outside interests. . . . Nevertheless, there are some traits all mathematicians share. An obvious one is a sense of amazement over the infinite depth and the mysterious beauty and usefulness of mathematics. . . . The sheer plea¬ sure mathematicians get from solving problems and making discoveries comes through in every interview. . . . Let us hope that young people will discover this book, read it, and be inspired.” —From the Introduction by Martin Gardner

In the tradition of the first volume of Mathe¬ matical People comes another collection of interviews and profiles with some of the most prestigious mathematicians of our time. The chapters tell in the mathematicians’ own words how they became interested in mathematics, how they chose their specialty, and about their hobbies and personal lives. Each interview has its own colorful character and is full of photo¬ graphs so personal and lively that they add a new dimension to the reader’s perception.

SAN MATEO CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY

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JAN 2 8 1996 MAR I 3 1993

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San Mateo Public Library San Mateo, CA 94402-1592 Questions Answered

□ □□□□□ MATHEMATICAL □ □□□□□ MORE

PEOPLE

□ □□□□□ Contemporary Conversations

MORE MATHEMATICAL PEOPLE Contemporary Conversations

Edited by

DONALD J. ALBERS GERALD L. ALEXANDERSON CONSTANCE REID

HARCOURT BRACE JOVANOVICH, PUBLISHERS Boston San Diego New York

Public Library San Mateo, GA

This book is printed on acid-free paper. ©

Copyright © 1990 by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Requests for permission to make copies of any part of the work should be mailed to: Permission Department, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers, Orlando, Florida 32887

Designed by Amy Strong Printed in the United States of America

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

More mathematical people: contemporary conversations / edited by Donald J. Albers. G.L. Alexanderson, Constance Reid. — 1st ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0-15-158175-4 (alk. paper) 1. Mathematicians — Interviews. 2. Mathematicians — Biography. I. Albers, Donald J., 1941. II. Alexanderson, Gerald L. HI. Reid, Constance. QA28.M67 1990 510' .92'2—dc20

90-4422 CIP

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