Synopses & Reviews
In the tradition of
Fermat's Last Theorem and
Einstein's Dreams, a novel about mathematical obsession.
Petros Papachristos devotes the early part of his life trying to prove one of the greatest mathematical challenges of all time: Goldbach's Conjecture, the deceptively simple claim that every even number greater than two is the sum of two primes. Against a tableau of famous historical figures-among them G.H. Hardy, the self-taught Indian genius Srinivasa Ramanujan, and a young Kurt Godel-Petros works furiously to prove the notoriously difficult conjecture. Decades later, his ambitious young nephew drives the defeated mathematician back into the hunt to prove Goldbach's Conjecture. . . but at the cost of the old man's sanity, and perhaps even his life.
Apostolis Doxadis received a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Columbia University and a Master's Degree in Applied Mathematics from the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris. He has run a number of successful computer companies, as well as written and directed for both the screen and the stage. The second of his two feature films, Tetriem, won the prize of the International Center for Artistic Cinema at the 1988 Berlin International Film Festival. Mr. Doxiadis lives in Athens, Greece
Review
"[An] intellectual joyride." Miami Herald
Review
"Delightful fun, well-conceived and nicely executed." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"[D]espite its flaws, the novel is captivating." Publishers Weekly
Review
"Paints a fascinating picture of how a mathematician could fall into a mental trap by devoting his efforts to a too difficult problem." John Nash, Nobel Laureate, 1994, subject of A Beautiful Mind
Synopsis
"Fermat's Last Theorem" collides with Sophie's World in this novel of intellectual adventure and the exhilaration of pure mathematics.
Synopsis
In this critically acclaimed international bestseller, Petros Papachristos, a mathematical prodigy, has devoted much of his life trying to prove one of the greatest mathematical challenges of all time: Goldbach's Conjecture, the deceptively simple claim that every even number greater than two is the sum of two primes. His feverish and singular pursuit of this goal has come to define his life. Now an old man, he is looked on with suspicion and shame by his family-until his ambitious young nephew intervenes.
Seeking to understand his uncle's mysterious mind, the narrator of this novel unravels his story, a dramatic tale set against a tableau of brilliant historical figures-among them G. H. Hardy, the self-taught Indian genius Srinivasa Ramanujan, and a young Kurt Godel. Meanwhile, as Petros recounts his own life's work, a bond is formed between uncle and nephew, pulling each one deeper into mathematical obsession, and risking both of their sanity."
Synopsis
Petros Papachristos devotes his life to proving one of the greatest mathematical challenges of all time: Goldbach's Conjecture. In a host of countries, spanning various wars, and against a tableau of famous historical figures, Petros struggles for success until the day he inexplicably disappears into the Greek countryside.
Decades later, his ambitious nephew searches out Petros' hidden past and drives the retired recluse back into the hunt to prove Goldbach's Conjecture...but at the cost of the old man's sanity, and perhaps even his life.
Synopsis
In the tradition of
Fermat's Last Theorem and
Einstein's Dreams, a novel about mathematical obsession.
Petros Papachristos devotes the early part of his life trying to prove one of the greatest mathematical challenges of all time: Goldbach's Conjecture, the deceptively simple claim that every even number greater than two is the sum of two primes. Against a tableau of famous historical figures-among them G.H. Hardy, the self-taught Indian genius Srinivasa Ramanujan, and a young Kurt Godel-Petros works furiously to prove the notoriously difficult conjecture. Decades later, his ambitious young nephew drives the defeated mathematician back into the hunt to prove Goldbach's Conjecture. . . but at the cost of the old man's sanity, and perhaps even his life.
About the Author
Apostolis Doxadis received a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Columbia University and a Master's Degree in Applied Mathematics from the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in Paris. He has run a number of successful computer companies, as well as written and directed for both the screen and the stage. The second of his two feature films,
Tetriem, won the prize of the International Center for Artistic Cinema at the 1988 Berlin International Film Festival. Mr. Doxiadis lives in Athens, Greece