Journey through Genius: The Great Theorems of Mathematics

Mathematics may not always be considered an inherently creative field, but William Dunham's Journey Through Genius paints a different picture. With each theorem placed within its historical context, readers are transported through time, exploring the lives of the mathematicians who created them. From the absentminded Archimedes to the paranoid genius of Georg Cantor, Dunham weaves a narrative that highlights the humanity of these brilliant minds. But it is not simply a story - step-by-step proofs are provided for each theorem, making them accessible to anyone with a high school education in mathematics. Journey Through Genius is a combination of history, biography, and mathematics that introduces readers to a field of human creativity often neglected. In the words of Isaac Asimov, it is "mathematics presented as a series of works of art; a fascinating lingering over individual examples of ingenuity and insight. It is mathematics by lightning flash." “It is mathematics presented as a series of works of art; a fascinating lingering over individual examples of ingenuity and insight. It is mathematics by lightning flash.” —Isaac Asimov
Journey through Genius | Math Books | Abakcus

If you’re interested in the history of mathematics, then William Dunham’s book is a must-read. In Journey through Genius, Dunham takes an approach similar to examining masterpieces in literature, music, and art. But instead of novels or symphonies, Dunham focuses on theorems as the creative milestones of mathematics.

Dunham’s writing style is clear and easy to understand. He provides enough historical background on the mathematicians and their theorems without overwhelming the reader with a history lesson. The mathematics itself is presented in a clear and concise manner, with notation that is easy to follow. Dunham strikes the perfect balance between explaining the math and leaving room for further exploration.

As a mathematics teacher, I have used this book extensively in my calculus course. It brings together important topics from the undergraduate program and gives students a glimpse into the world of mathematical research. It serves as an invitation for students to dig deeper into specific topics of interest.

The theorems discussed in Journey through Genius range from Euclidean propositions to Archimedes’ determination of the area of a circle. Dunham also covers lesser-known topics such as Heron’s Formula for the area of a triangle. The book offers a comprehensive overview of the important milestones in mathematics, including the work of Newton and others.

In conclusion, Dunham’s Journey through Genius is a classic in the history of mathematics. Not only will readers deepen their understanding of mathematics, but they will also gain insight into the personalities of the brilliant mathematicians behind these theorems.

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