45 pages • 1 hour read
G. H. HardyA Mathematician's Apology
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1940A 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
Super Short Summary
Published in 1940, A Mathematician’s Apology, by G. H. Hardy, is an extended essay on why people study mathematics and how its logical purity, much more than its usefulness in daily life, makes it a worthy pursuit. Hardy was one of the 20th century’s most important mathematicians. His work in math analysis and number theory, coupled with his high standards of logical proof, helped advance mathematics and increase its rigor. Hardy’s discovery of—and work with—untutored math genius Srinivasa Ramanujan is his best-known contribution to the field. The book contains a biographical Foreword by Hardy’s friend, celebrated English scientist and author C. P. Snow. The book’s Foreword briefly discusses suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
G. H. Hardy's A Mathematician's Apology delves into the aesthetic pleasure and inner workings of pure mathematics, offering introspection into a mathematician's mindset. Praised for its eloquence and intellectual depth, it is marred by a sense of elitism and dated views. Nonetheless, it remains a poignant reflection on the beauty and purpose of mathematical pursuit.
Who Should Read A Mathematician's Apology?
A reader who relishes the beauty and creativity of mathematics, appreciates intellectual reflections, and enjoys autobiographical insights into a mathematician's mind would find A Mathematician's Apology by G. H. Hardy captivating. Comparable to works like Richard Feynman's Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!, it appeals to those who love scientific philosophy.
153
Biography • Nonfiction
1940s
1940
Adult
18+ years
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