My Brain Is Open

For decades, mathematicians the world over would open their doors to find Paul Erdos--homeless and relying on others while he explored the realm of mathematics. Schechter recounts the fascinating story of this brilliant, unusual man who developed, with pencil and paper, the mathematics behind computer science. photo insert.

Contents

1. Traveling

2. Proof

3. Contact

4. The Happy End Problem

5. Erdõs and the Fate of Western Civilization

6. Paradise Lost

7. The Joy of Sets

8. The Primes of Dr. Paul Erdõs

9. Sam and Joe and Uncle Paul

10. Six Degrees of Collaboration

Note on Sources

Bibliography

Index