The Way I Remember It

by Walter Rudin

Walter Rudin's memoirs should prove to be a delightful read specifically to mathematicians, but also to historians who are interested in learning about his colorful history and ancestry. Characterized by his personal style of elegance, clarity, and brevity, Rudin presents in the first part of the book his early memories about his family history, his boyhood in Vienna throughout the 1920s and 1930s, and his experiences during World War II. Part II offers samples of his work, in which he relates where problems came from, what their solutions led to, and who else was involved. As those who are familiar with Rudin's writing will recognize, he brings to this book the same care, depth, and originality that is the hallmark of his work.

Genres: Mathematics, Biography, Nonfiction

191 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walter Rudin's Principles of Mathematical Analysis is one of the most widely recognized introductions to analysis around (his other analysis texts are also well regarded). Part of the reason why Rudin's textbooks are so well respected, and perhaps feared by students, is that his writing is remarkably and memorably concise. In this autobiography, that concise style is wholly enchanting. In brief, factual strokes, Rudin paints episodes in his early life in Europe, his adventures during the second world war, his escape to Britain, and his eventual life in the United States. The chapters are usually around five pages, and the whole book is under 200 pages. The first part, just over 120 pages, is a wholly nontechnical personal history. The remainder is devoted to more technical discussion, and will be opaque to anyone without at least the equivalent of a very solid undergraduate math degree.

[Sherri Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is split into 2 sections so a non-mathematical reader could still enjoy the biographical part which was very interesting. I really enjoyed his personal experiences during the war and how he and his family survived.

[Mike_dangerous · Rating 3 out of 5]

The non-famous or the semi-famous have lives worthy of reading about, in the event that that regular person took some notes. I've always liked "Principles of Mathematical Analyis" by Rudin (1953, 1964, 1976) which I used in the introductory Analyis course (class "18.100" if I recall correctly). The origin story of the Analyis book is interesting -- written while teaching at MIT in the early 1950s. The story of his World War II escape from the Nazis is told in a matter of fact way -- very compelling and sobering. Also, there are mathematical notes about the math problems he was interested in. This isn't a traditional book, it is more like some notes that Rudin compiled for the record. Brief and valuable.

[Siva Prasad Varma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first memoir I have read. Rudin's style comes out in every sentence -- simple, brief and to the point. It felt like I was listening to Rudin tell his story to me personally.

First half of the book is about Rudin's time during WW II. This was a great read. I am a big fan of Baby Rudin and it was interesting to learn how it got written. Second half is about his notes about his papers, of which I understood nothing.

Typeset in Latin Modern like a math book.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read the first part of the book dealing with his life. It was okay, mostly focusing on his life before becoming a mathematician. Being Jewish in Europe during WWII, Staying in detention camps, escaping, joining the war to defeat Nazis, getting his degree in America, and a professorship at University of Rochester.

[Yaqiao Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

an super interesting historic book. Have no idea what Ruin went through WWII when you read his nice math textbooks. He is a great writer! legendary stories!