Stephen Smale

出版者:American Mathematical Society

作者:Steve Batterson

页数:265

出版时间:2000-02

价格:USD 37.00

装帧:Hardcover

isbn号码:9780821820452

图书标签:数学传记math

In 1957 Stephen Smale startled the mathematical world by showing that, in a theoretical sense, it is possible to turn a sphere inside out. A few years later, from the beaches of Rio, he introduced the horseshoe map, demonstrating that simple functions could have chaotic dynamics. His next stunning mathematical accomplishment was to solve the higher-dimensional Poincaré conjecture, thus demonstrating that higher dimensions are simpler than the more familiar three. In 1966 in Moscow, he was awarded the Fields Medal, the most prestigious prize in mathematics.

Smale's vision and influence extended beyond mathematics into two vastly different realms. In 1965 in Berkeley, he initiated a program with Jerry Rubin of civil disobedience directed at ending the Vietnam War. And as a mineral collector, he accumulated a museum-quality collection that ranks among the finest in the world. Despite these diverse accomplishments, Smale's name is virtually unknown outside mathematics and mineral collecting. One of the objectives of this book is to bring his life and work to the attention of a larger community.

There are few good biographies of mathematicians. This makes sense when considering that to place their lives in perspective requires some appreciation of their theorems. Biographical writers are not usually trained in mathematics, and mathematicians do not usually write biographies. Though the author, Steve Batterson, is primarily a mathematician, he has long been intrigued by the notion of working on a biography of Smale. In this book, Batterson records and makes known the life and accomplishments of this great mathematician and significant figure in intellectual history.

读后感

没有企业家的传记那样让人热血沸腾，看完充满激情。大概本书的作者自己也是搞数学的，所以写得不温不火，本书还是值得一读的。 主人公年轻时并没有表现出特别天才的一面，而且因为参与政治活动，而面临失学的危险，但他遇到了很好的学习环境，能够接触各种大师，而据作者宣称...  

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没有企业家的传记那样让人热血沸腾，看完充满激情。大概本书的作者自己也是搞数学的，所以写得不温不火，本书还是值得一读的。 主人公年轻时并没有表现出特别天才的一面，而且因为参与政治活动，而面临失学的危险，但他遇到了很好的学习环境，能够接触各种大师，而据作者宣称...  

没有企业家的传记那样让人热血沸腾，看完充满激情。大概本书的作者自己也是搞数学的，所以写得不温不火，本书还是值得一读的。 主人公年轻时并没有表现出特别天才的一面，而且因为参与政治活动，而面临失学的危险，但他遇到了很好的学习环境，能够接触各种大师，而据作者宣称...  

没有企业家的传记那样让人热血沸腾，看完充满激情。大概本书的作者自己也是搞数学的，所以写得不温不火，本书还是值得一读的。 主人公年轻时并没有表现出特别天才的一面，而且因为参与政治活动，而面临失学的危险，但他遇到了很好的学习环境，能够接触各种大师，而据作者宣称...