The Honors Class
Hilbert’s Problems and Their Solvers

The Honors Class: Hilbert’s Problems and Their Solvers by Ben Yandell
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Summary

This eminently readable book focuses on the people of mathematics and draws the reader into their fascinating world. In a monumental address, given to the International Congress of Mathematicians in Paris in 1900, David Hilbert, perhaps the most respected mathematician of his time, developed a blueprint for mathematical research in the new century. Jokingly called a natural introduction to thesis writing with examples, this collection of problems has indeed become a guiding inspiration to many mathematicians, and those who succeeded in solving or advancing their solutions form an Honors Class among research mathematicians of this century. In a remarkable labor of love and with the support of many of the major players in the field, Ben Yandell has written a fascinating account of the achievements of this Honors Class, covering mathematical substance and biographical aspects.

Details

ISBN: 978-1-56881-216-8
Year: 2003
Format: Paperback
Pages: 506

Reviews

The Review of Modern Logic (PDF)

March 2007

“He has uncovered details that would have been lost were it not for his personal efforts.”

The Mathematical Intelligencer (PDF)

August 2005

“This is a splendid piece of work and an essential book for anyone interested in the vast panorama of twentieth-century mathematics. It should be in every mathematician’s library.”

Belgian Mathematical Society (PDF)

February 2005

In this work, Hilbert problems serve as a motivation to present biographies of mathematicians connected with their solutions.

The Honors Class now available in Paperback!

November 2003

“To my mind it is one of the best popular books about mathematics and mathematicians written in the last ten years… clearly a labor of love. I particularly recommend The Honors Class as an outstanding achievement of mathematical exposition. Read it yourself and recommend it to all lovers of mathematics.” – American Mathematical Monthly

SIAM Review (PDF)

November 2002

“Yandell lets the mathematicians tell their own stories, but uses his writing skill to select, highlight, and weave together the different historical and mathematical threads into a brilliant tapestry.”

Australian Mathematical Society Gazette (PDF)

October 2002

“I think that any mathematician will find much to appreciate in this book as it lifts the veil on the past century of mathematics. Students would learn much about the culture of mathematics from reading it and I will certainly recommend it to them. I think that there may also be many non-mathematicians who will, through reading this book, come to appreciate the nature of our subject and the characters who have created it.”

Nature Review 'Winning the numbers game' (PDF)

June 2002

“Yandell turned his back on a mathematics to become a writer after a distinguished undergraduate career at Stanford University. This makes him an ideal author for a book of this sort, to which he brings a rare combination of mathematical and literary sophistication.”

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