What do you think?
Rate this book
Simply Turing
“Michael Olinick has written a vibrant and absorbing biography of Alan Turing. Turing's work as a cryptographer during WW II and his pioneering development of the digital computer helped us win that war and make our technology-driven world of today possible—all this against the backdrop of the homophobic world Turing tried to navigate.”
—Joseph Malkevitch, Professor of Mathematics at York College (CUNY) and CUNY Graduate Center Alan Turing (1912-1954) was born in London and showed signs of genius from a very young age. Turing was just 24 when he devised the theory that led to the development of modern computers and he went on to achieve major breakthroughs in probability, number theory, cryptology, and mathematical biology. His codebreaking efforts during World War II allowed the British to decipher secret German communications, effectively shortening the war and saving millions of lives. Yet instead of being celebrated for his accomplishments, Turing was prosecuted for being a homosexual and was forced to undergo hormone treatments designed to reduce his sexual drive. Turing died of cyanide poisoning in 1954 at the age of 41, a tragic end to a brilliant life, and an event that remains mysterious to this day. In Simply Turing , Professor Michael Olinick recounts the life and work of a man who, along with Newton and Darwin, is considered one of the three most influential British scientists of all time. Prof. Olinick provides an accessible explanation of Turing’s monumental achievements, while introducing us to the friends, colleagues, and rivals who shared his life, and exploring the controversy surrounding his death. For anyone interested in the beginnings of our computer-defined age, or anyone who wants a better understanding of why LGBTQ rights are so important, Simply Turing is an indispensable and fascinating introduction to a man who was both ahead of his time and a tragic victim of it.
Reading Simply Turing will provide readers
Simply Turing
Don't miss your chance to learn about one of the most influential British scientists in history. Buy Simply Turing now before the price changes!
—Joseph Malkevitch, Professor of Mathematics at York College (CUNY) and CUNY Graduate Center Alan Turing (1912-1954) was born in London and showed signs of genius from a very young age. Turing was just 24 when he devised the theory that led to the development of modern computers and he went on to achieve major breakthroughs in probability, number theory, cryptology, and mathematical biology. His codebreaking efforts during World War II allowed the British to decipher secret German communications, effectively shortening the war and saving millions of lives. Yet instead of being celebrated for his accomplishments, Turing was prosecuted for being a homosexual and was forced to undergo hormone treatments designed to reduce his sexual drive. Turing died of cyanide poisoning in 1954 at the age of 41, a tragic end to a brilliant life, and an event that remains mysterious to this day. In Simply Turing , Professor Michael Olinick recounts the life and work of a man who, along with Newton and Darwin, is considered one of the three most influential British scientists of all time. Prof. Olinick provides an accessible explanation of Turing’s monumental achievements, while introducing us to the friends, colleagues, and rivals who shared his life, and exploring the controversy surrounding his death. For anyone interested in the beginnings of our computer-defined age, or anyone who wants a better understanding of why LGBTQ rights are so important, Simply Turing is an indispensable and fascinating introduction to a man who was both ahead of his time and a tragic victim of it.
Reading Simply Turing will provide readers
Simply Turing
Don't miss your chance to learn about one of the most influential British scientists in history. Buy Simply Turing now before the price changes!
202 pages, Paperback
Published April 20, 2020
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 2, 2020
Compelling Story
Having been a fan of the movie The Imitation Game about Alan Turing's brilliant work as a code breaker mastermind and machine genius during World War II, I was curious to learn more about his life when I saw this book at my favorite book review site. I was immediately immersed in the story as the writer has an engaging style and shares so many interesting facts, including quotes from Turing’s family and other sources. The book goes in chronological order, starting with the meeting of his parents and his unusual childhood being raised by strangers as his parents continued to live and work in India. The book follows his professional and personal life. His brilliance was amazing, and it is truly tragic the way his life ended up. It is so hard to imagine in these days of greater acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people and “gay marriage” (though it seems silly now to call it that even after just a few years) that such a thing happened not that long ago, during a time that is still within the living memory of many people. How else might he have innovated if he hadn't been so persecuted and punished as a pariah? Some have estimated that his work during World War II shortened that conflict, on the European side, by at least 2 years, and what he accomplished gave rise to aspects of computer science today. Even back in those days, he questioned what the future of AI could mean, including the perils. If you have any interest in Alan Turing, computer science, or the history of homophobia, you will most likely find this as compelling a read as I did.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
Having been a fan of the movie The Imitation Game about Alan Turing's brilliant work as a code breaker mastermind and machine genius during World War II, I was curious to learn more about his life when I saw this book at my favorite book review site. I was immediately immersed in the story as the writer has an engaging style and shares so many interesting facts, including quotes from Turing’s family and other sources. The book goes in chronological order, starting with the meeting of his parents and his unusual childhood being raised by strangers as his parents continued to live and work in India. The book follows his professional and personal life. His brilliance was amazing, and it is truly tragic the way his life ended up. It is so hard to imagine in these days of greater acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people and “gay marriage” (though it seems silly now to call it that even after just a few years) that such a thing happened not that long ago, during a time that is still within the living memory of many people. How else might he have innovated if he hadn't been so persecuted and punished as a pariah? Some have estimated that his work during World War II shortened that conflict, on the European side, by at least 2 years, and what he accomplished gave rise to aspects of computer science today. Even back in those days, he questioned what the future of AI could mean, including the perils. If you have any interest in Alan Turing, computer science, or the history of homophobia, you will most likely find this as compelling a read as I did.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
June 6, 2020
Everyone will enjoy learning about the person who was instrumental in several modern inventions and theories. Easy to read. Interesting facts and history about this person from history. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews