Search - N Is a Number: Portrait of Paul Erdos on DVD

The life and achievements of a great man, Paul Erdos

Charles Ashbacher | Marion, Iowa United States(cashbacher@yahoo.com) | 07/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Perhaps the most prolific mathematician who has ever lived and a strong candidate for the best mathematician of all time, Paul Erdos is the mathematical equivalent of a mega-caffeinated bumblebee. Traveling from place to place packing his formidable load of mathematical sweets, his goals are to create, solve and share. Generations of mathematicians are deeply indebted to him, both personally and professionally.
Born in Hungary in 1913, Erdos has known his share of personal tragedy. Two major wars, one containing a "civil" war of extermination of his "kind" (he is Jewish), as well as postwar political ostracism due to his "communist" leanings have all served to mold his life.
The producers of this film chose to avoid mathematics and concentrate on the person. Like me, you will probably be surprised at the quality of his table tennis game, Although his humor is pessimistic, it is clear throughout the 57-minute running time of this film that Erdos is a positive thinker.
Like the story of others who succeed and inspire, Erdos's story also has the ability to humble. Being an eyewitness to greatness has a humbling effect. "Genius" and "brilliant" are terms often overused when describing people and their work, but in this case one needs to search for superlatives to create an accurate description.
A visual portrait of one of the world's most interesting people, this tape is an absolute must for all academic libraries.

Published in Mathematics and Computer Education, reprinted with permission."

A fascinating man

Harry Pandolfino | York, PA USA | 10/12/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'd heard Erdos name come up several times in discussions of mathematics but had no real idea who he was until I bought this fascinating DVD. If ever there was a man who could just float through life on the strength of his intellect alone Erdos is he. He is by turns amusing, gentle, simple but undeniably brilliant and driven. A remarkable portrait of a remarkable man, compelling whether or not you care about math."

Love math?

J. Faulders | 12/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you love mathematics, you owe it to yourself to see this. Erdos is like a patron saint of mathematics."