Set Theory and the Continuum Hypothesis [Paperback]

Paul J. Cohen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1966

This exploration of a notorious mathematical problem is the work of the man who discovered the solution. Written by an award-winning professor at Stanford University, it employs intuitive explanations as well as detailed mathematical proofs in a self-contained treatment. This unique text and reference is suitable for students and professionals. 1966 edition. Copyright renewed 1994.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 154 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley (August 1966)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805323279
• ISBN-13: 978-0805323276
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,156,578 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All-time classic -- a "desert island book", July 4, 2003

By 

Joseph L. Shipman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Set Theory and the Continuum Hypothesis (Paperback)

Paul Cohen's "Set Theory and the Continuum Hypothesis" is not only the best technical treatment of his solution to the most notorious unsolved problem in mathematics, it is the best introduction to mathematical logic (though Manin's "A Course in Mathematical Logic" is also remarkably excellent and is the first book to read after this one).

Although it is only 154 pages, it is remarkably wide-ranging, and has held up very well in the 37 years since it was first published. Cohen is a very good mathematical writer and his arrangement of the material is irreproachable. All the arguments are well-motivated, the number of details left to the reader is not too large, and everything is set in a clear philosophical context. The book is completely self-contained and is rich with hints and ideas that will lead the reader to further work in mathematical logic.

It is one of my two favorite math books (the other being Conway's "On Numbers and Games"). My copy is falling apart from extreme overuse.

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive and Brilliant, April 27, 2007

By 

C. P. Cohen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Set Theory and the Continuum Hypothesis (Paperback)

This is still the definitive work on set theory and the continuum hypothesis. Although extremely terse, it is wonderfully clear and unburdened by the technical and pedantic details that doom many books in the subject. If you cannot track this down right now be patient, the American Mathematical Society is going to be reprinting it.

Professor Cohen passed away in March of 2007, but thankfully this book remains as a testament to his genius. Originally trained as an analyst, he began working on the continuum hypothesis knowing almost nothing about logic or set theory. Within two years he mastered the subject and solved the greatest outstanding problem in the field (and arguably in all of mathematics). Read this book if you want to understand one of the deepest ideas in all of human thought.

19 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A priceless gem, December 1, 2001

By 

Danny Kerdine (Paris, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Set Theory and the Continuum Hypothesis (Paperback)

An "older" original work of a great mathematican. Not the best book to read about the subject, but certainly a collectors item.
I happen to have one because my master thesis used it as a major reference. It's the one book that everyone interested in the foundations of mathematics should own - if you can still get one.