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Undiluted Hocus-Pocus: The Autobiography of Martin Gardner Hardcover – January 1, 2013

by Martin Gardner (Author)

26 customer reviews

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Martin Gardner wrote the Mathematical Games column for Scientific American for twenty-five years and published more than seventy books on topics as diverse as magic, religion, and Alice in Wonderland. Gardner's illuminating autobiography is a candid self-portrait by the man evolutionary theorist Stephen Jay Gould called our "single brightest beacon" for the defense of rationality and good science against mysticism and anti-intellectualism.

Gardner takes readers from his childhood in Oklahoma to his varied and wide-ranging professional pursuits. He shares colorful anecdotes about the many fascinating people he met and mentored, and voices strong opinions on the subjects that matter to him most, from his love of mathematics to his uncompromising stance against pseudoscience. For Gardner, our mathematically structured universe is undiluted hocus-pocus_a marvelous enigma, in other words.

Undiluted Hocus-Pocus offers a rare, intimate look at Gardner's life and work, and the experiences that shaped both.

Editorial Reviews

Martin Gardner wrote the Mathematical Games column for Scientific American for twenty-five years and published more than seventy books on topics as diverse as magic, religion, and Alice in Wonderland. Gardner's illuminating autobiography is a candid self-portrait by the man evolutionary theorist Stephen Jay Gould called our "single brightest beacon" for the defense of rationality and good science against mysticism and anti-intellectualism.

Gardner takes readers from his childhood in Oklahoma to his varied and wide-ranging professional pursuits. He shares colorful anecdotes about the many fascinating people he met and mentored, and voices strong opinions on the subjects that matter to him most, from his love of mathematics to his uncompromising stance against pseudoscience. For Gardner, our mathematically structured universe is undiluted hocus-pocus―a marvelous enigma, in other words.

Undiluted Hocus-Pocus offers a rare, intimate look at Gardner’s life and work, and the experiences that shaped both.

Product details

Hardcover
Publisher: Princeton University Press; First Edition edition (January 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0691159912
ISBN-13: 978-0691159911
Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 26 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,274,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Lawrence S. Lerner

Somewhat disorganized bits and pieces about a fascinating guy

October 29, 2013

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I've been a Gardner fan since reading his Fads And Fallacies more than 50 years ago. This book seems to be a garnering of bits and pieces he left lying around when he died at a ripe old age, laden with honor. They were assembled by his friends (especially, I think, Persi Diaconis) as a final tribute. The resulting book contains a hodgepodge of information - not always in logical order - that is interesting to anyone who is a Gardner fan - his childhood in Tulsa, his years in Chicago, including his formative experience at the University of Chicago, and his struggles to make a living as a professional editor and writer. One must overlook the disorganization and gaps and repetitions of what Gardner published elsewhere because what it contains is a lot of fun to read.

24 people found this helpful

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Martin Gardner fans take care

December 21, 2013

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

The "Scientific American" column on mathematical games was written by Martin Gardner for decades. It was always the first article I would turn to when I received my latest issue of "Scientific American." This book was written as an autobiography by Martin Gardner to be published after his death. It is interesting but it is not what I expected, and, in my estimation, not as good as any one of his columns. I did not complete reading the book.

6 people found this helpful

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Disappointed in Martin Gardner

March 3, 2014

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Martin Gardner admitted that his book is rather disorganized, and I agree. I bought the book to read and then to give to my brother. It had received an excellent review in THE NEW YORK TIMES. I was disappointed because the book seemed disjointed. He named so many names that it seemed like a list of everyone he had ever known.

One person found this helpful

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Enjoyable but not satisfying

November 29, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Interesting man, but I found his constant suggestions to read another of his books or articles to learn more about his thoughts on a topic to be annoying. If you're a fan of his work, you'll love his autobiography.

Comment

Best for ardent fans

March 18, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Perhaps, since I've not read any other Gardner books, I'm a poor judge. But I am a magician and so much of this book resonated with me. It is a rambling discourse, but it also has many moments of deep fascination. Despite its shortcomings, I'm glad I read it.

Comment

Donald E Kilmer, Jr.

Wisdom Acquired Honestly

January 13, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

If Science = Knowledge, and
Wisdom = Happiness,
Then Martin Gardner's Autobiography,
Shows he knew how to be happy.
What greater gift can the author give to the reader?

Comment

August 10, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I have been a Gardner since1967. This is the perfect book to get to know Martin Gardner.

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Patricia A. McKnight

March 10, 2014

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Martin Gardner had one of the livliest minds of the 20th century. He was endlessly curious and generous about sharing the results of his explorations with the rest of us. He also writes well and entertainingly. I especially appreciate his hard work on "The Annotated Alice," which introduces Americans to one of the wisest and wittiest books in the English language. Lewis Carroll's two masterpieces are known to every educated English person, and widely quoted. Americans are not so wise & also tend to misunderstand these volumes as being for girls only. Gardner, appreciating them greatly, broadened their acceptance. He also presented math in ways which helped those who fear the subject - since he so obviously loved math.

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English United States

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