R. L. Moore: Mathematician & Teacher (Spectrum Series) [Hardcover]

John Parker (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 088385550X | ISBN-13: 978-0883855508 | Publication Date: December 15, 2005

R. L. Moore: Mathematician & Teacher presents a full and frank biography of a mathematician recognized as one of the principal figures in the 20th Century progression of the American school of point set topology. He was equally well known as creator of the Moore Method (no textbooks, no lectures, no conferring) in which there is a current and growing revival of interest and modified application under inquiry-based learning projects in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Parker draws on oral history, with first-person recollections from many leading figures in the American mathematics community of the last half-century. The story embraces some of the most famous and influential mathematical names in America and Europe from the late 1900s in what is undoubtedly a lively account of this controversial figure, once described as Mr. Chips with Attitude. He was the first American to become a Visiting Lecturer for the American Mathematical Society, was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, published 68 papers and a book that is still referred to seventy years later and that has been the subject of literally hundreds of papers by other mathematicians around the globe.

Three of Moore’s students followed him as president of the American Mathematical Society, and three others became vice-presidents. Five served as president of the Mathematical Association of America, and three became members of the National Academy of Sciences.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Moore was an inspirational teacher, totally devoted to his students, more so than any other teacher I've known. -- Richard D. Anderson, Louisiana State University (Emeritus)

The Moore Method is, I am convinced, the right way to teach anything and everything. -- Paul R. Halmos, Santa Clara University

This personal history is a study in the art of teaching and the discovery and nurture of talent. -- Albert C. Lewis, C. S. Peirce Edition Project

About the Author

British author John Parker has been a journalist and writer all his working life.. To date, he has published 28 books in hardback which have appeared in 64 editions in the UK and more than 40 international editions.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 387 pages
• Publisher: The Mathematical Association of America (December 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 088385550X
• ISBN-13: 978-0883855508
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,345,359 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars History of a giant of the mathematics profession, November 28, 2005

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: R. L. Moore: Mathematician & Teacher (Spectrum Series) (Hardcover)

The name of R. L. Moore appears throughout the mathematical literature, primarily for the Moore method of teaching, secondarily for the achievements of his mathematical progeny and thirdly for his mathematical output. Since his output was considerable, this order says something for the significance of the first two. The Moore method of instruction involved no textbooks, no lectures and no conferring between the students. The naïve person would argue that it is inappropriate to refer to it as a method of teaching. However, it did involve a great deal of instructor involvement, largely directing the students by asking appropriate questions and critiquing student work. As would be expected with any unusual teaching strategy, the students who succeeded praised it and those who didn't generally have a negative opinion. The best way to evaluate it is to examine how well his students did in their profession, and in that area, he has no peer. Three of his students served as president of the American Mathematical Society and three others were vice-president. Five of his students served as president of the Mathematical Association of America, which makes him the equivalent of the founder of a political dynasty.
While Moore was indeed brilliant in his work, he was also very cantankerous. He had strong opinions on many things outside of mathematics, and he did not hesitate to make them known when he felt it necessary. Being a man of the south, he was opposed to many of the liberal trends of the late fifties and sixties, putting his arguments forward in a states rights context. The story of his last years as a professor and how the administration tried to remove him is amazing. There was point/counterpoint, devious manipulation and some of the most obfuscated doubletalk that has ever appeared in an academic setting. Moore was also in the middle of many of the internal political battles that took place at the University of Texas, and some of them had national ramifications.
R. L. Moore was a powerful figure in the American mathematical community of the twentieth century. He is arguably the most powerful that was not imported, and he was involved in research, training high quality mathematicians and fought many political battles against anyone who disagreed with him. This biography is an honest appraisal of the man and the many ways he impacted the mathematical profession.

Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission.