The Best Books on: Kurt Gödel

Apr 23, 2022

Hi there

A few mathematicians’ biographies are especially notable, both in terms of the mathematicians’ achievements and their personalities. Nash, von Neumann, Turing, Wiener, Cantor, Grothendieck, Abel and Gödel come to mind. The latter has been the topic of several previous newsletters, including:

Kurt Gödel’s Brilliant Madness, June 21st 2021
Gödel’s Constitutional Quarrel (1947), June 14th 2021
Gödel’s Solution to Einstein’s Field Equations (1949), May 4th 2021

Hopefully these essays provide appetite for more. If so, see a list below of where to start. I especially recommend Dawson and Budiansky’s books for those interested in a deep dive and an engaging read, respectively.

1. Logical Dilemmas: The Life and Work of Kurt Gödel (1997)

by John Dawson

Those interested in learning everything there is to know about Kurt Gödel should look no further than to John W. Dawson’s magnum opus, ‘Logical Dilemmas’. Based on Dawson’s considerable work in the early-mid 1980s cataloguing of Gödel’s Nachlass (his personal archive of papers, notes and so on), the work is extensive, detailed and well-written. The gold standard.

Type: Scientific Narrative | Years: 1920-78 | Pages: 376 | Price: $52.95

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2. Journey to the Edge of Reason: The Life of Kurt Gödel (2021)

by Stephen Budiansky

While Dawson’s book tackles both Gödel’s work and life, Budiansky’s book puts a spotlight on his personality—especially emphasizing his struggles with mental illness. Of course, although Budiansky’s narrative is not as ‘complete’ as Dawson’s, it is perhaps equally more accessible. A highly worthwhile read which is also available as an audiobook*.

Type: Narrative | Years: 1906-78 | Pages: 368 | Price: $16.95

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3. Reflections on Kurt Gödel (1987)

by Hao Wang

This book is quite different from the previous two. Based on mathematician/philosopher Hao Wang (1921-95)’s personal experiences with and opinions of Gödel’s work, the book provides a unique perspective on Gödel, especially of his philosophical work.

Type: Memoir Pages: 336 | Price: $45

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4. Kurt Gödel and the Foundations of Mathematics: Horizons of Truth (2014)

by Baaz, Papadimitriou, Putnam, Scott & Harper

This collection of book chapters from various authors includes perspectives on both Gödel’s work and biography, including technical and historical analyses. Its audience is primarly people with particular interests in more academic/technical matters concerning Gödel’s work in mathematics, logic and the philosophy of mathematics in general.

Type: Academic | Pages: 511 | Price: $71.95

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5. Incompleteness: The Proof and Paradox of Kurt Gödel (2005)

by Rebecca Goldstein

This book is quite possibly the most commercially successful work on Gödel, perhaps due to its condenced format and intended audience, the general public. I haven’t read it, if I’m being honest.

Type: Biographical | Pages: 2006 | Price: $14.39

Buy it here

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Other books

The fact that there are so many books about Gödel and his work speaks both to the momentous achievements of the man himself, as well as his intriguing lifestory. Here is a selection of either directly or tangentially related books I also quite enjoy:

When Einstein Walked with Gödel* by Jim Holt
Ever Your Kurt* by Stephen Budiansky and Marilya Veteto Reese
Exact Thinking in Demented Times* by Karl Sigmund
Gödel Meets Einstein* by Palle Yourgrau
Computability* by Copeland et al
Turing’s Cathedral* by George Dyson

* These are Amazon Affiliate links

Thank you, as always, for reading Privatdozent. I hope you found this useful.

Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Jørgen

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