The Way I Remember It (History of Mathematics, V. 12) [Paperback]

Walter Rudin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1996 | Series: History of Mathematics, V. 12 (Book 12)

Walter Rudin's memoirs should prove to be a delightful read specifically to mathematicians, but also to historians who are interested in learning about his colorful history and ancestry. Characterized by his personal style of elegance, clarity, and brevity, Rudin presents in the first part of the book his early memories about his family history, his boyhood in Vienna throughout the 1920s and 1930s, and his experiences during World War II. <P>Part II offers samples of his work, in which he relates where problems came from, what their solutions led to, and who else was involved. As those who are familiar with Rudin's writing will recognize, he brings to this book the same care, depth, and originality that is the hallmark of his work.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It is a real pleasure to read this book and to admire the charming personal style we have come to know from Rudin's textbooks, monographs and articles. The book is strongly recommended not only to analysts, but also to all mathematicians as well as historians." ---- European Mathematical Society Newsletter

"Of noteworthy significance." ---- Zentralblatt MATH

"With this memoir, Rudin gives the entire mathematical community a chance to make his acquaintance both mathematically and personally, and a very worthwhile acquaintance it is. The biographical section ... is fascinating ... It's what the literary critics call "a good read" ... this book is a delight to read and will also help to inspire and guide young analysts in the path of wisdom. You will not want to miss a single page of it ... recommend it to everyone." ---- Mathematical Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 191 pages
• Publisher: American Mathematical Society; 1St Edition edition (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821806335
• ISBN-13: 978-0821806333
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #736,601 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best mathematical biographies ever written, December 20, 2001

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Way I Remember It (History of Mathematics, V. 12) (Paperback)

This book is split into two parts, and while the mathematics is interesting, the personal history is fascinating. His account of being Jewish in Europe in the 1930's and later is an incredible tale of response to the rearing of a "social" movement where his heritage made him and his relatives expendable. Underlying his story is the historical roots of anti-Semitism, as the murder of Jews was hardly without historical precedent in Europe. Furthermore, he describes how popular Nazism was in Austria, as even some Jews would have joined the movement if they had been allowed. To so many, Bolshevism was the greater threat and they had no qualms about the Germans moving against the Soviet Union, viewing such a war as a modern crusade.
Rudin was there through it all, fleeing the Nazis after the Anschluss in Austria and going to France through Switzerland. He spent some time in the military forces of France and England although he did no real fighting. His description of what it was like to go back to Germany after the war as a member of a victorious army is very telling. He found no signs of hostility and none of the Germans he met seemed to care that he was not of Aryan stock.
Through it all, he managed to continue his studies, so that after he left the military, he was able to complete his degrees in the United States, eventually settling in Madison, Wisconsin. He stayed there through his "retirement", which only meant that he no longer had to teach.
I found this to be one of the most interesting biographies of a mathematician that I have ever read. Sadly, that is largely due to his participation in one of the worst events of this or any other time.

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't miss it!!, January 2, 2003

By 

Palle E T Jorgensen "Palle Jorgensen" (Iowa City, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Way I Remember It (History of Mathematics, V. 12) (Paperback)

I learned from Rudin's math books when I grew up, starting with
"Baby-Rudin", and I got hooked. Since then I have taught from almost everyone of them.--- Not this one though! This book is different. It does have math though, but at the same time, in the math part[the second half of the book], Rudin surprises you by letting you look behind the curtain. You are let in on how the author, the mathematician Rudin, arrived at some of his theorems. Enlightening!
The early parts of this fascinating book recounts Walter Rudin's childhood in central Europe[Vienna], how he escaped to the US, with his life, as Hitler's armies, and the fire of anti-semitism, engulfed Europe in the years up to the second World War. The last ship sailing, at the eve of WWII, from Europe was like an ark. Mount Ararat was America.
A well meaning reviewer writes on the back-cover to the book as follows: "...Rudin's colorful
history, ... his experiences...".--- Well it is more than that!
Another book,[a somewhat different one, from a slightly earlier period, but still the theme of Europe then, and escape...] starts: ..."This book is to be neither..., and least of all an adventure, for death is not an adventure to those who stand face to face with it..."