History of Mathematics
Volume: 27;
2005;
301 pp;
Hardcover
MSC: Primary 00; 01;
Print ISBN: 978-0-8218-3776-4
Product Code: HMATH/27
List Price: $69.00
Individual Member Price: $55.20
Supplemental Materials
John von Neumann: Selected Letters
Share this pageEdited by Miklós Rédei
A co-publication of the AMS and the London Mathematical Society
John von Neumann was perhaps the most influential
mathematician of the twentieth century. Not only did he contribute to
almost all branches of mathematics, he created new fields and was a
pioneering influence in the development of computer science.
During and after World War II, he was a much sought-after technical
advisor. He served as a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee at
the Ballistic Research Laboratories, the Navy Bureau of Ordinance, and
the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project. He was a consultant to the
Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory and was appointed by U.S. President
Dwight D. Eisenhower to the Atomic Energy Commission. He received the
Albert Einstein Commemorative Award, the Enrico Fermi Award, and the
Medal of Freedom.
This collection of about 150 of von Neumann's letters to
colleagues, friends, government officials, and others illustrates both
his brilliance and his strong sense of responsibility. It is the first
substantial collection of his letters, giving a rare inside glimpse of
his thinking on mathematics, physics, computer science, science
management, education, consulting, politics, and war. With an
introductory chapter describing the many aspects of von Neumann's
scientific, political, and social activities, this book makes great
reading. Readers of quite diverse backgrounds will be fascinated by
this first-hand look at one of the towering figures of twentieth
century science.
To read a review published in the
Also of interest and available from the AMS is John von Neumann: The
Scientific Genius Who Pioneered the Modern Computer, Game Theory,
Nuclear Deterrence, and Much More and Invariant Measures.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
John von Neumann: Selected Letters
Readership
General audience; readers of diverse backgrounds.
Reviews
This selection of letters by the great mathematician John von Neumann (1903-1957) has been edited with remarkable care and expertise. Nearly all of his letters are published here for the first time. ....The extensive introductory comments by the editor (pp. 1-40) furnish important background information that will prove itself useful, especially for those readers who cannot rely on a thorough knowledge of von Neumann's seminal contributions to the foundations of mathematics, mathematical logic, quantum mechanics, quantum logic, computer science, and game theory.
-- Mathematics and Mechanics
...this fine volume of selected letters will be of great interest to mathematicians, scientists, educators, and, in particular, those interested in the history of the fields to which John von Neumann contributed so much.
-- Historia Mathematica
...this will be an enduring reference book ...delivers an impressive sampling of the breadth and influence of von Neumann's work.
-- Notices of the American Mathematical Society
I recommend that you check out a copy of the book yourself. These letters are put together in a very nice volume, and give quite a bit of insight into one of the great mathematical minds of all time ...
-- MAA Reviews
...the volume under review will certainly contribute to our knowledge about John von Neumann and his personality. It will be interesting for historians of science, especially of mathematics and mathematical physics.
-- Zentrablatt MATH