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Pushing Limits: From West Point to Berkeley and Beyond
Pushing Limits: From West Point to Berkeley and Beyond challenges the myth that mathematicians lead dull and ascetic lives. It recounts the unique odyssey of a noted mathematician who overcame military hurdles at West Point, Army Ranger School and the Vietnam War, and survived many civilian escapades—hitchhiking in third-world hotspots, fending off sharks in Bahamian reefs, and camping deep behind the forbidding Iron Curtain. From ultra-conservative West Point in the ’60s to ultra-radical Berkeley in the ’70s, and ultimately to genteel Georgia Tech in the ’80s, this is the tale of an academic career as noteworthy for its offbeat adventures as for its teaching and research accomplishments. It brings to life the struggles and risks underlying mathematical research, the unparalleled thrill of making scientific breakthroughs, and the joy of sharing those discoveries around the world. Hill's book is packed with energy, humor, and suspense, both physical and intellectual. Anyone who is curious about how one maverick mathematician thinks, who wants to relive the zanier side of the ’60s and ’70s, who wants an armchair journey into the third world, or who seeks an unconventional view of several of society's iconic institutions, will be drawn to this book.
294 pages, Hardcover
Published April 20, 2017
4 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Ted P. Hill
1 book6 followersTed Hill (Theodore P. Hill) is Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Georgia Tech, where he spent most of his academic career. He is a Distinguished Graduate of West Point’s Class of 1966, and holds a Master’s degree from Stanford and a PhD from UC Berkeley. He is also a former Army Ranger and a Vietnam War veteran.
His research is mainly in the mathematical theory of probability, especially optimal stopping theory, fair division problems, and Benford's Law.
He is currently Research Scholar in Residence at California Polytechnic State University, and lives in Los Osos, California. More information may be found at his website http://people.math.gatech.edu/~hill/.
His research is mainly in the mathematical theory of probability, especially optimal stopping theory, fair division problems, and Benford's Law.
He is currently Research Scholar in Residence at California Polytechnic State University, and lives in Los Osos, California. More information may be found at his website http://people.math.gatech.edu/~hill/.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 3, 2017
I have received this book almost 8 months back but I was not able to read it on time. The representative from American Mathematical Society didn't convey at that time what this book was. I was under impression that this must be some maths or stats related book. But it was an autobiography or memoir of Ted Hill.
The book starts with Mr. Hill or I should say Dr. Hill's childhood in parallel to his earlier days in military training.His struggle during training made his a strong character. Then it covers parts of his early postings, Vietnam war and returns phase. Next part covers his journey of being a notable mathematician. His Ph.D. thesis to first Ph.D. student to early retirement to volunteering professor in other countries. Ted has never compromised his personal front for his professional front. Sports and adventure were never out of his life.
I accept that I skipped many pages as I have recently read Vietnam war memoir and I don't know why but I was not able to read those sections again. Some suggestions for publishers design it like a novel, currently, length and width of the book gives an impression of some technical or educational book.
An okay read for normal readers but memoir readers will like this book.
Detailed Review Link - http://chevusread.blogspot.in/2017/10...
The book starts with Mr. Hill or I should say Dr. Hill's childhood in parallel to his earlier days in military training.His struggle during training made his a strong character. Then it covers parts of his early postings, Vietnam war and returns phase. Next part covers his journey of being a notable mathematician. His Ph.D. thesis to first Ph.D. student to early retirement to volunteering professor in other countries. Ted has never compromised his personal front for his professional front. Sports and adventure were never out of his life.
I accept that I skipped many pages as I have recently read Vietnam war memoir and I don't know why but I was not able to read those sections again. Some suggestions for publishers design it like a novel, currently, length and width of the book gives an impression of some technical or educational book.
An okay read for normal readers but memoir readers will like this book.
Detailed Review Link - http://chevusread.blogspot.in/2017/10...
June 3, 2017
First of all, a big thank you to AMS for the giveaway allowing me to get my hands on an ARC of this fascinating book!
"Asking an unconventional question is often the key to making progress in science."
And indeed, Professor Hill is quite the unconventional free- thinker.
Ted Hill's life story is a great example of high risk yielding high reward.
A self-proclaimed rebel , whether he be researching how to make the system work in his favor or just taking a chance on a whim dove in with all of his passion, courage, endurance, intuition and intelligence. He relishes his clear love of mathematics and of teaching it as well as his love of travel which is sure to simultaneously satisfy and fuel the wanderlust of any reader.
Through much adventure (and a few misadventures) he weaves impressive tales of his amazing experiences and accomplishments - through hiding live contraband in West Point to his road trip into six Communist countries during the Cold War to mathematical breakthroughs..and beyond!
On a personal note, the first few chapters took me a bit longer to read through, partially because I was trying to soak in details to recount to my dad, who also served in the Army during the Vietnam War. I knew some details were similar from growing up hearing his own stories but the chapters leading up to the war gave me some questions that I wouldn't have thought of before.
While this book will no doubt be of particular interest to individuals in the field of mathematics, the impressive story telling ability and high energy pace will appeal to a wide range of readers, no matter their vocation.
"Every good lecture is a good story." And Ted Hill sure knows how to lecture.
"Asking an unconventional question is often the key to making progress in science."
And indeed, Professor Hill is quite the unconventional free- thinker.
Ted Hill's life story is a great example of high risk yielding high reward.
A self-proclaimed rebel , whether he be researching how to make the system work in his favor or just taking a chance on a whim dove in with all of his passion, courage, endurance, intuition and intelligence. He relishes his clear love of mathematics and of teaching it as well as his love of travel which is sure to simultaneously satisfy and fuel the wanderlust of any reader.
Through much adventure (and a few misadventures) he weaves impressive tales of his amazing experiences and accomplishments - through hiding live contraband in West Point to his road trip into six Communist countries during the Cold War to mathematical breakthroughs..and beyond!
On a personal note, the first few chapters took me a bit longer to read through, partially because I was trying to soak in details to recount to my dad, who also served in the Army during the Vietnam War. I knew some details were similar from growing up hearing his own stories but the chapters leading up to the war gave me some questions that I wouldn't have thought of before.
While this book will no doubt be of particular interest to individuals in the field of mathematics, the impressive story telling ability and high energy pace will appeal to a wide range of readers, no matter their vocation.
"Every good lecture is a good story." And Ted Hill sure knows how to lecture.
April 13, 2017
The book was fantastic!!! Ted Hill approaches mathematics and life full throttle. He has turned his life of adventure, travel, education, and leisure into a combination of Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde and James Bond, into a roller coaster thrill ride.
December 20, 2017
My absolute favorite book of 2017. Ted Hill is my new hero! I'm so thankful to have won this thought-provoking memoir through a goodreads giveaway. What do a mathematician, an inveterate troublemaker, an Army Ranger and a West Point graduate have in common? More than you'd think as Mr. Hill weaves a mesmerizing tale of his life's journey from one fantastical phase to the next. His absolutely overwhelming curiosity coupled with his passion for mathematics make him not only a great mathematician, but also that endlessly fascinating acquaintance you'd remember forever. his zest for life is infectious and rather than espousing this book's virtues indefinitely, I'll just say this book will appeal to any and all readers and should be savored like premium chocolate over weeks. I'm off to have a Ted Hill-applauded adventure.
June 28, 2017
I received this book as a Goodreads giweaway. Ted P. Hill´s memoir paints vivid pictures of his life in the military and academia. His hair-raising adventures are highly entertaining and informative but the most amazing part is that he has confronted the sublime challenges of mathematics with the same love of adventure.
October 12, 2018
A fascinating story of a non-traditional life in mathematics. I kinda wish I'd had a book like this when I was younger, it would've made mathematics feel a lot more approachable and less intimidating and scary. Don't worry, there isn't a lot of math. There's talk of theorems and talk of proving theorems, but you don't have to actually know math to enjoy Hill's life story.
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April 13, 2017I won this pre-publication copy from Goodreads Giveaways. Though the book sounds interesting, I cannot read it. The type is too small, the lines are too long and close together. I'll try later when I can get this as a Kindle loan or maybe in audio. In the meantime I'll pass this copy on to someone who can enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews