Mathematicians are People, Too: Stories from the Lives of Great Mathematicians

by Luetta Reimer, Wilbert Reimer

Volume One focuses on moments of mathematical discovery experienced by Thales, Pythagoras, Hypatia, Galileo, Pascal, and others. Volume Two dramatizes the lives of Omar Khayyam, Albert Einstein, Ada Lovelace, and others.

Genres: Mathematics, Biography, Nonfiction, History, Education, Science, Childrens

152 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Sarah Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women can’t do mathematics..? You sure about that??

[Annie Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book of stories about mathematicians, showing their human side. Not quite as fascinating as the first book, but still very good.

We use it as part of our science and math reading for homeschool, and it would be a worthwhile addition to history or math studies for any teen. Although anyone 8-10 and up could read this book, a bit more knowledge of history and math makes it much more interesting, so it would appeal more to teens. I enjoyed it as well.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I accidentally got the second book first but I love it! It shows how people used math to solve real life problems and came up with the rules we learn in math today. It’s a great way to humanize math and make math itself interesting. The stories are well written and fun to read.

[Luke Wadsworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. It really gave me an appreciation for our modern math. It helped me see the mathematicians of the past a little more eye to eye.

[Esther May · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are quite a few interesting stories about the lives of famous mathematicians. It was an interesting read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book when homeschooling.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book and was an easy read. I was impressed that so many women were mathematicians even though they often were barred from bookstores and libraries. Often they did math because of an inner drive to learn. I also found it interesting that astronomy has a lot of math. Calculus sounds interesting too. Of course, I've got a long ways to go before I learn calculus and physics. Someday though!

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting insight into the lives of several prominent mathematicians. Personally I found the stories of the older people (i.e. Greek era) most interesting. I didn't give it 5 stars as I was rather looking forward to a more in depth explanation of some of their discoveries and often that was lacking.

Worth reading though.

[Nickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vols. 1 and 2. Our family enjoyed this introduction to women and male mathematicians throughout history. We now recognize some of the names mentioned in The Teaching Companies lecture on numbers called Zero to Infinity.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your kids are reluctant to learn math, these short stories about real mathmaticians are intriguing and I promise it will inspire them to want to do math!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great stories about Mathematicians. It helps bring them to life.

[Deanna Sutter · Rating 3 out of 5]

We are currently usuing this for Mathematician biographies. We read one every couple of weeks.

[Jeniann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second volume of stories of mathematicians and I liked it just as much as the first one.

[Ashley Jacobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stories, but it's more a book you want to read one chapter at a time and focus on the persons life. Not a great book to read straight through.

[Tue Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book back in high school. It was a delight. This book and its sequel are suitable for children as well as any older individuals interested in mathematics and the people who explore them.

[Beatrix Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

More wonderful and interesting stories of mathematicians.