logo

76 pages 2 hours read

Sylvia Nasar

A Beautiful Mind

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1998

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar follows the life of John Nash, a brilliant but eccentric mathematician from Bluefield, West Virginia, who rises to prominence with his groundbreaking work in game theory while battling severe mental health challenges, including paranoid schizophrenia, ultimately finding recognition and a measure of stability later in life. The book includes themes of mental illness, LGBT relationships, and institutionalization.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar is a compelling biography that delves deep into the life of mathematician John Nash. Reviews praise its well-researched narrative and engaging storytelling. However, some critiques point to its dense mathematical content that may deter general readers. Overall, it's lauded for its comprehensive portrayal of genius and mental illness.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Beautiful Mind ?

A reader who would enjoy A Beautiful Mind by Sylvia Nasar is likely fascinated by biographies, particularly those that delve deeply into the human mind and mathematical genius. Fans of The Man Who Knew Infinity by Robert Kanigel and Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson would find this book equally compelling for its insightful portrayal of John Nash's life.

Book Details
Pages

464

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Setting

Princeton, New Jersey • 1940s

Publication Year

1998

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.