Complexities: Women in Mathematics [Hardcover]

Bettye Anne Case (Editor), Anne M. Leggett (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0691114625 | ISBN-13: 978-0691114620 | Publication Date: January 10, 2005

Sophie Germain taught herself mathematics by candlelight, huddled in her bedclothes. Ada Byron Lovelace anticipated aspects of general-purpose digital computing by more than a century. Cora Ratto de Sadosky advanced messages of tolerance and equality while sharing her mathematical talents with generations of students.

This captivating book gives voice to women mathematicians from the late eighteenth century through to the present day. It documents the complex nature of the conditions women around the world have faced--and continue to face--while pursuing their careers in mathematics. The stories of the three women above and those of many more appear here, each one enlightening and inspiring. The earlier parts of the book provide historical context and perspective, beginning with excursions into the lives of fifteen women born before 1920. Included are histories of collective efforts to improve women's opportunities in research mathematics. In addition, a photo essay puts a human face on the subject as it illustrates women's contributions in professional associations.

More than eighty women from academe, government, and the private sector provide a rich mélange of insights and strategies for creating workable career paths while maintaining rewarding personal lives. The book discusses related social and cultural issues, and includes a summary of recent comparative data relating to women and men in mathematics and women from other sciences. First-person accounts provide explicit how-tos; many narratives demonstrate great determination and perseverance. Talented women vividly portray their pleasure in discovering new mathematics. The senior among them speak out candidly, interweaving their mathematics with autobiographical detail. At the beginning of a new century, women at all stages of their careers share their outlooks and experiences.

Clear, engaging, and meticulously researched, Complexities will inspire young women who are contemplating careers in mathematics and will speak to women in many fields of endeavor and walks of life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A definitive work, very carefully written, Complexities will inspire a wide range of women mathematicians and scientists for a long period of time. . . . By far this is the most important study of women in mathematics that even a giant amongst men mathematicians will find himself reading with sheer pleasure. -- Current Engineering Practice



[T]he variation in [the book's] content and writing styles . . . is exactly its strength--it is both an excellent reference for a professor wishing to provide a student with a few inspiring gems and a comprehensive overall picture of the life of women in mathematics. Its lessons are gleaned from the trials and tribulations of a specific group, but the advice is universal. -- Lisa DeKeukelaere, MAA Online



The collection documents the complex nature of the conditions women have faced while pursuing their careers in mathematics. It shows the pleasure women had in discovering new mathematics, and energy to do a good job! -- Silke Göbel, Zentralblatt



As a female mathematics student, I found that reading this book increased my appreciation for the courage and determination of the women who entered mathematics before me, while also building my personal confidence in the prospect of finding a rewarding and fulfilling life in the mathematical community. -- Gwen Spencer, Math Horizons

From the Inside Flap

"The talented and amazing women featured in this book will serve as inspirational role models for all generations that follow. Complexities carefully documents the importance of such role models in inspiring women to enter mathematics. It is a lesson that can be applied beyond this field to anywhere where women are underrepresented."--Linda Babcock, author, with Sara Laschever, of Women Don't Ask (Princeton).

"A provocative and informative inside view of what it is like to be both a mathematician and a woman. The belief that mathematics is solely a male preserve is fast disappearing, and Complexities will speed it on its way."--Ian Stewart, Mathematics Awareness Centre, University of Warwick

"This book contains a wealth of inspiration for women in the mathematical sciences, with real life advice on how to weather the tough times, find joy in the good times, and at the same time experience excitement and love for the subject. For young women seeking their paths in this field, the personal stories provide valuable mentorship. Even for those of us who have a parent as mentor, this collection provides essential insight into a variety of experiences and career paths."--Alison Marsden, Stanford University and Jerry Marsden, California Institute of Technology

"This astounding book provides a wealth of important information on women in mathematics over the ages, exploring how they entered the field, what excited them about it in their youth, what excites them now, and the many ways these women have advanced the frontiers of mathematics, or have used mathematics to the benefit of society. Although not a mathematician myself, I have known many of the women mathematicians in this book and have shared with them my experiences as a physicist. How wonderful that this is all gathered in one volume of easy reading."--Mildred Dresselhaus, MIT

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 456 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press (January 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691114625
• ISBN-13: 978-0691114620
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,195,385 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The recent accounts demonstrate how much progress women have made in the last half-century, July 16, 2006

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Complexities: Women in Mathematics (Hardcover)

While the opportunities for women still lag behind men in some areas, in general there are equal opportunities between the sexes. Most of the women under forty today have no idea how different it was for women thirty years ago. Before the twentieth century, it was even worse. Women such as Sophie Germain had to study mathematics in secret or publish their results under a male byline. This book starts with the biographies of fifteen female mathematicians born before 1920 and chronicles their struggles and achievements. While these biographies are interesting, they are probably too distant to be considered relevant by the modern student. In their other studies, they will have encountered facts such as women lacking the right to vote, so the fifteen women will simply be additional examples of women held in check by the prevailing social and legal norms.
The real power of the book is in the accounts that are much more recent. Less than fifty years ago, women were rare in mathematics and those who managed to succeed were often considered oddities. Many graduate programs had either formal or informal policies against admitting women and those accepted generally were given little encouragement. Nevertheless, determined women managed to succeed and provide inspiration to future generations of mathematicians. This is their story and they are all to be commended for their success and their willingness to encourage the next generation to succeed. It is largely due to their hard work and occasional suffering that there are now so many opportunities for women in all areas of mathematics. I strongly recommend this book as required reading in any history of mathematics class. It is also suitable as supplemental material for courses in women's studies and the history of education.

Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission.