I Want to Be a Mathematician: An Automathography

Paul Halmos's mathematical memoir chronicles his journey from his early days as a student in Hungary through his career as a prominent mathematician in America. The book follows his path through academia, including his time at the University of Illinois and the University of Michigan. The narrative covers Halmos's experiences with teaching, research, and writing mathematics texts. His interactions with other mathematicians and his views on mathematical education form key elements of the text, supported by personal anecdotes from his professional life. The book includes detailed discussions of various mathematical concepts and Halmos's approaches to problem-solving and mathematical writing. His documentation of the academic publishing process and the evolution of mathematical journals provides insight into the professional side of mathematics. The memoir serves as both a personal history and a window into twentieth-century mathematics culture, examining the intersection of academic life, mathematical discovery, and professional development. Through Halmos's direct writing style, the text illuminates the human elements behind mathematical scholarship.

Readers describe this autobiography as honest and detailed about both the struggles and triumphs of an academic mathematics career. Many mathematicians appreciate Halmos's candid discussion of teaching, research, and academic politics. Liked: - Clear writing style that brings mathematical concepts to non-experts - Practical advice for aspiring mathematicians - Behind-the-scenes look at famous mathematicians and institutions - Details about paper writing, conference presentations, and job hunting Disliked: - Some found his tone arrogant or self-important - Technical sections challenging for general readers - Focus on academic politics over mathematical concepts - Limited personal/emotional revelations Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (11 ratings) Notable review: "Halmos tells it like it is - the good and the bad. His advice on writing mathematics is worth the price alone." - Mathematics professor on Amazon "Sometimes reads like a list of names and places rather than a story" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔹 Paul Halmos wrote this mathematical memoir longhand on yellow legal pads, maintaining his lifelong preference for writing by hand rather than using a typewriter or computer. 🔹 The term "automathography" in the title is a word Halmos coined specifically for this book, combining "autobiography" with "mathematics" to describe his mathematical life story. 🔹 Throughout the book, Halmos shares candid stories about his interactions with famous mathematicians, including John von Neumann, whom he served as an assistant during his early career. 🔹 Despite becoming one of the most influential mathematics writers of the 20th century, Halmos struggled with mathematics as an undergraduate and initially planned to become a philosophy professor. 🔹 The book includes Halmos's famous "must-read list" for mathematicians, which contains 25 books he considered essential for every serious student of mathematics to study.