Leonhard Euler and the Bernoullis
Mathematicians from Basel

by M. B. W. Tent
Price: $29.00
Availability: In stock.

Summary

“Leonhard Euler and the Bernoullis is a fascinating tale of the Bernoulli family and Euler’s association with them. Successful merchants in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Bernoullis were driven out of Antwerp during the persecution of the Huguenots and settled first in Frankfurt, and then in Basel, where one of the most remarkable mathematical dynasties evolved with Jacob, Johann, and Daniel Bernoulli the most prominent among them. Euler, fortunate to have had Johann Bernoulli as a tutor, quickly rose to prominence in the academies of Berlin and St. Petersburg, and became the most prolific and profound mathematician that ever lived.

The story of these remarkable men, their great ambitions and dedication to their science-often against parental authority-is skillfully told by the author. Refreshing fictional dialogue is interspersed throughout into an otherwise accurate historical scenario. The book is intended for the young adult audience of middle school and early high school ages, but surely will also appeal to a general audience, with or without mathematical background.”

–Walter Gautschi, Purdue University

Details

ISBN: 978-1-56881-464-3
Year: 2009
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 296

Reviews

J. Johnson, Choice Magazine (PDF)

June 2010

“… the story told is interesting, and the author is to be complimented for her efforts to make it as historically accurate as possible.”

Rob Bradley, London Mathematical Society (External Link)

April 2010

“Tent’s attention to detail, both mathematically and historically, is excellent.”

MAA Reviews

November 2009

“This is an interesting and entertaining biography of Leonhard Euler (1707–1783) and of some of the Bernoullis, aimed at middle and high school students. . . . the book emphasizes day to day life and the relations between the mathematicians, especially the forever-squabbling Bernoullis.”

Ed Sandifer, author of How Euler Did It And The Early Mathematics of Leonhard Euler

July 2009

“The author did a remarkable job collecting accurate information and weaving it into a fascinating story, which describes the personalities of the people involved quite faithfully, as near as we can tell from 300 years away. It was a surprise to me to learn the early history of the Bernoulli family, including, for example, that Jacob Bernoulli invented methods for teaching mathematics to blind students. It would be a fine gift for a young person with mathematical or scientific inclinations.”