John Derbyshire Books

In 1859, Bernhard Riemann, a little-known thirty-two year old mathematician, made a hypothesis while presenting a paper to the Berlin Academy titled On the Number of Prime Numbers Less Than a Given Quantity. Today, after 150 years of careful research and exhaustive study, the Riemann Hyphothesis remains unsolved, with a one-million-dollar prize earmarked for the first person to conquer it.Alternating passages of extraordinarily lucid mathematical exposition with chapters of elegantly composed biography and history, Prime Obsession is a fascinating and fluent account of an epic mathematical mystery that continues to challenge and excite the world.

Focusing on the evolution of abstract mathematical concepts, this book intertwines history with the progression of algebra. It explores how mathematical ideas have shaped human understanding and culture, making it an engaging read for both history enthusiasts and those intrigued by mathematics. Through its narrative, it highlights key figures and milestones in the field, making complex ideas accessible and interesting.

Focusing on the National Question, this collection features speeches and essays from 2013 that delve into critical issues such as immigration, race, culture, and national identity. Originally published on VDARE.com, the material presents a candid exploration of these topics, encouraging open dialogue about the complexities surrounding population and cultural dynamics in contemporary society.

The collection features essays published between 2001 and 2013, primarily on VDARE.com, which focuses on the National Question. A key essay defines this concept and provides insights into the work of VDARE.com, culminating in an unofficial mission statement. The essays engage with themes of national identity and immigration, reflecting the author's perspectives and the magazine's editorial stance.

V knize se autor zabývá zajímavostmi a historií bádání o prvočíslech, např. slavnou úlohou „O počtu prvočísel menších než dané číslo“ (autor ji předloží dokonce ve verších), kterou David Gilbert zařadil na prvním mezinárodním kongresu matematiků v Paříži 1900 mezi slavné problémy pro 20. století. Kniha podává ale i mnoho zajímavého o matematicích 18. – 20. století – o Eulerovi, Gaussovi, Cauchym aj., a také o Petru Velikém, Dreyfusově aféře nebo o tom, jak počítají Číňané a jaký to má vliv na otázku, zda 21. století začalo rokem 2000 nebo 2001.