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Title: Things a Computer Scientist Rarely Talks About by Donald E. Knuth ISBN: 1-57586-326-X Publisher: C S L I Publications Pub. Date: August, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $20.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.88 (8 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Knuth timidly comes out of the closet
Comment: Perhaps he is wary of Turing's fate. But then, I digress...
What trait does Knuth think he has in common with Bill Clinton? Are the assumptions of Chaos Theorists too real? Does Godel's Incompleteness trump Heisenberg's Uncertainty in discussions of faith? These and other nerdy nuggets are skillfully woven into Knuth's Alfred E. Neumann-meets-Albert Einstein excursion into theology.
As with Knuth's technical writing, I was lulled into a false sense of complacency by Knuth's colloquial style and sense of humor. While this book is a transcription of lectures/Q&A given by Knuth @ MIT discussing his modus operandi for writing _3:16 Bible Texts Illuminated_ , it was a much more thought provoking complement to _3:16_ than I had expected. For example, his discussion on framing the free-will/omnipotence debate from the perspective of Complexity Theory shed fresh light on this age old topic for me.
Knuth has the gift of being a serious scientist without taking himself too seriously and in the end, scientists may discover that Douglas Adams is right and that the Answer to the Ultimate Question really is 42. Yet, with this book, Knuth beckons us to enjoy the ride. And to keep asking our own questions.
Rating: 4
Summary: Great for Christian Computer Scientists
Comment: This is (arguably) great for Christian computer scientists, but most others will not be interested.
In college, I became familiar with Knuth's works and they deserve the respect they have achieved. Being a Christian myself and finding that Knuth had given these seminars, I was happy to read the book.
Unfortunately, it merely skims the surface of his beliefs. However, there are many items just beneath the surface that more experienced Christians may see. Still, there was not enough insight to garner a five-star rating.
Yes, it is a polished transcription of the six seminars, but it is very easy to read. At the end of each, there was a question-and-answer period, which probably help shed as much light as the lecture itself.
Yes, it is mostly about his work in "3:16", but that really gets into his religious journey. That is where part of the problem is -- it is more about the work and less about thoughts or convictions.
There is a round-table discussion at the end, which was separate from Knuth's seminars. Knuth says little in it and I would not miss it if it were not there. However, it is good from a historical perspective.
For most, especially non-Christians or religion or philosophy majors, this may be of little interest. Recommended, for the right audience.
Rating: 4
Summary: I CAN TELL YOU WHETHER OR NOT YOU WILL ENJOY THIS ELEGANTLY.
Comment: If you are a mathematician or computer scientist who has an interest in the Bible or religion, this is stimulating reading from an unexpected source. If you are a mathematician or computer scientist with NO interest in the Bible or religion, skip this. For myself, after reading the other reviews, I found the discussion of Knuth's 3:16 project interesting and not a commercial. (you could work it the other way too: maybe if you buy this book, you DON'T have to buy 3:16). I admit to being a little disappointed by Lecture 6, but after the build-up, I'm not sure anything would have lived up to my expectations. Recommended (as long as you observe my caveat above.)
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Title: 3:16 Bible Texts Illuminated by Donald Ervin Knuth ISBN: 0895792524 Publisher: A-R Editions Pub. Date: April, 1991 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: Surreal Numbers by Donald E. Knuth ISBN: 0201038129 Publisher: Addison-Wesley Pub Co Pub. Date: 01 January, 1974 List Price(USD): $17.99 |
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Title: Selected Papers on Discrete Mathematics by Donald E. Knuth ISBN: 1575862484 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 01 January, 2003 List Price(USD): $40.00 |
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Title: Selected Papers on the Analysis of Algorithms by Donald E. Knuth ISBN: 1575862123 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: June, 2000 List Price(USD): $28.95 |
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Title: Literate Programming by Donald E. Knuth ISBN: 0937073814 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Pub. Date: 30 March, 1992 List Price(USD): $64.95 |
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