In my reading of Steven Krantz's "Mathematical Apocrypha", I encounter numerous anecdotes that endorse the view that not only do mathematicians tend to be eccentric, but they are often very funny -- sometimes intentionally so, and sometimes not.
As something of an amateur mathematician-mathematical hobbyist, I find Krantz's book a very good read -- well worth buying. My guess is that many non-mathematicians could also find in the book many stories about mathematicians and their numerous quirks that could provide for humorous storytelling and joking.
As an enthusiaist of mathematical ideas and those who generate them, I find "Mathematical Apocrypha" to be the best source of mathematical anecdotes I've yet been blessed with encountering.
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Mathematical Apocrypha: Stories and Anecdotes of Mathematicians and the Mathematical (Spectrum)
by
Steven G. Krantz
(Author)
This book contains a collection of tales about mathematicians and the mathematical, derived from the author's experience. It shares with the reader the nature of the mathematical enterprise, and gives a glimpse of mathematical culture. The book brings legendary names to life, and shares little known stories about names we have heard all our lives. The book is written in a brisk and engaging manner and it also includes a number of attractive photographs and illustrations.
- ISBN-100883855399
- ISBN-13978-0883855393
- PublisherThe Mathematical Association of America
- Publication dateSeptember 12, 2002
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions5.75 x 0.5 x 8.75 inches
- Print length226 pages
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Editorial Reviews
Review
'… a fascinating and amusing collection of stories about mathematicians and the mathematical world … The pace is quick and I have to admit that I read it in one sitting and then left it by the loo so that I could skim through again looking for my favourites … I hope that a really wide audience will read it as it brings to life a world that most people cannot imagine.' The Mathematical Gazette
Book Description
Collection of stories about famous contemporary mathematicians, with illustrations.
About the Author
Steven G. Krantz, currently Professor and Chairman of Mathematics at Washington University in St. Louis, earned his PhD at Princeton University and has taught at UCLA, Princeton University and Pennsylvania State University. He is the recipient of the UCLA Alumni Foundation Distinguished Teaching Award, the MAAs Chauvenet Prize, the MAA Beckenbach Book Award, and the Outstanding Academic Book Award of the Current Review of Academic Libraries. He has written numerous books including: "Function Theory of Several Complex Variables," "Real Analysis and Foundations," "The Geometry of Domains in Space" (with Harold R. Parks), "Function Theory of One Complex Variable" (with Robert E. Greene), "The Implicit Function Theorem" (with Harold Parks). "Complex Analysis: The Geometric Viewpoint," and" A Panorama of Harmonic Analysis" (both for the MAA). He is also the author of over one-hundred research articles.
Product details
- Publisher : The Mathematical Association of America (September 12, 2002)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 226 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0883855399
- ISBN-13 : 978-0883855393
- Item Weight : 11.5 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.75 x 0.5 x 8.75 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #175,575 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #11 in Mathematics Research (Books)
- #100 in Mathematics History
- #194 in Mathematics (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2009
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2016
Don't expect all the stories to be funny. Otherwise a good time pass and shows some insights into the mathematical minds.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
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Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 20, 2018
I am learning so much from this book.

