Julia: A Life in Mathematics (Spectrum) [Hardcover]

Constance Reid (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Julia is a truly beautiful book...The first part is an autobiography which was written by Julias sister, Constance Reid...The book also contains three personal accounts by close mathematical friends and colleagues of Julia Robinson. A chapter by Lisl Gall describes the work of Julias doctoral thesis. The other two of these written accounts are written by two mathematicians who like Julia, were smitten by Hilberts Tenth Problem...The book is attractively presented with many personal and mathematical photographs, making it an important historical record...The book will provide enjoyable reading for teachers and students of mathematics and for all those with an interest in mathematics and how new mathematics is done. It is an ideal book to show bright high school students. -- Mathematics Competitions, Journal of the World Federation of

This book is a small treasure, one which I want to share with all my mathematical friends. The assembly of several articles and additional photos and remarks provides the image of a mathematician of extraordinary taste, tenacity and generosity...Julia Robinson broke ground in displaying the deep connections between number theory and logic. Her results have led to a very active area today, making the appearance of this book very timely. Her work and her example are however timeless and I can think of no better advice to give a young mathematician, either in how to do mathematics, or how to behave in mathematics, than: Be like Julia! -- Carol Wood, Deputy Director, MSRI

What strikes the reader...more than anything else is the great love the two sisters have for each other. With the help of a text profusely illustrated with snapshots from a cherished album, we enter the life of an ordinary family, and suddenly we realize that no family is ordinary.

Robinson had many obstacles to overcome before she became famous and successful, not the least of which was a bout with scarlet fever, which had incapacitated her to the extent that she could not maintain a full-time teaching job as a result.

Do not neglect the last three articles in the book because of their technical nature. It demonstrates how even during the Cold War, people of good will on both sides of the Iron Curtain could cooperate on important projects. It helps the reader understand the mathematical enterprise. It might even awaken in some young people the desire to participate in that enterprise. -- The Mathematics Teacher

Product Description

In high school Julia Bowman stood alone as the only girl - and the best student - in the junior and senior math classes. She had only one close friend and no boyfriends. Although she was to learn that there are such people as mathematicians, her ambition was merely to get a job teaching mathematics in high school. At great sacrifice her widowed stepmother sent her to the University of California at Berkeley. But at Berkeley, in a society of mathematicians, she discovered herself. There was also a prince at Berkeley, a brilliant young assistant professor named Raphael Robinson. Theirs was to be a marriage that would endure until her death in 1985. Julia is the story of Julia Bowman Robinson, the gifted and highly original mathematician who during her lifetime was recognized in ways that no other woman mathematician had ever been recognized. This unusual book brings together in one volume the prizewinning Autobiography of Julia Robinson by her sister, the popular mathematical biographer Constance Reid, and three very personal articles about her work by outstanding mathematical colleagues.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 136 pages
• Publisher: The Mathematical Association of America (July 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0883855208
• ISBN-13: 978-0883855201
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #552,975 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful book about a beautiful mathematical life, March 14, 2000

By	Paul E. Oppenheimer ([e-mail]) (Mississippi State, Mississippi, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Julia: A Life in Mathematics (Spectrum) (Hardcover)

Constance Reid has created a gem of a book about her sister. Beginning with the information that all royalties will go for mathematical scholarships at Julia's high school, through to Yuri Matijasevich's slightly technical essay, informed with equal parts of love for Julia and for Hilbert's Tenth Problem, there is a consistency of tone that shows Constance Reid to be a true artist of book creation. The tenacity, reticence, and generosity that Julia brought to her mathematical life are conveyed to the reader in every aspect of the book. Give this to anyone who does not yet understand that the passion for truth makes fine human beings. Although it is consistently played down, the shocking discrimination against women emerges consistently throughout the book. Julia Robinson gave abundantly to the world despite illness, discrimination, and other obstacles. Her very generous spirit shines through the pages of this book. Do yourself a favor, and read this beautiful tribute from Constance Reid, Lisl Gaal, Martin Davis, Yuri Matijasevich, and the Mathematical Association of America to Julia Bowman Robinson.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A girl, a woman and a mathematician, December 17, 2003

By	Charles Ashbacher "([e-mail])" (Marion, Iowa United States([e-mail])) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: Julia: A Life in Mathematics (Spectrum) (Hardcover)

There have been many occasions to utter the phrase "first woman to __" in the last several decades. This book, an "autobiography" of the first woman president of the American Mathematical Society, describes the life of Julia Bowman Robinson. Set in the first person, but written by her sister, this is a chronicle of mathematics and society.
It is certain that few females, adolescent through college age, realize that only a few decades ago it was the norm that such a person would be the "only female in her junior and senior math classes." And in most of these cases "and the best student" was also standard. Pioneers come in several shapes, sizes, and genders.
Beyond this, Julia Bowman Robinson was also a premiere mathematician. However, the focus here is on the personal side more than the professional. It is mentioned that she fit one of the stereotypes of mathematicians, "having only one close friend and no boyfriends" while in high school. However, it is clear that in nearly all other ways she was a typical woman of her times.
Making herself one of the best despite many major obstacles, Julia Bowman Robinson is an inspiration to all who aspire to greatness, and that is independent of gender and profession. It is a good book for all to read.

Published in the Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Julia: A Life in Mathematics, August 31, 2007

By	Helen L. Stone - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Julia: A Life in Mathematics (Spectrum) (Hardcover)

Wonderful book, well written, great photos and it gives an good look into the life of Julia.