Mathematicians Are People, Too: Stories from the Lives of Great Mathematicians

This book of short biographies of mathematicians is written for kids, but people of all ages who like mathematics can enjoy it. I certainly did.Because of the target audience, the book doesn't go into much depth and detail, it's fairy sanitized, and some speculative and fictionalizing liberties have been taken in writing the biographies.Some themes and lessons which I drew from the book are:- Great mathematicians come from many walks of life and many parts of world. They include both women and men.- Young people who show mathematical ability need encouragement and support, otherwise their talent may be wasted.- The mathematical ability of some people is so remarkable that the rest of us can only observe with awe and wonder.- Even those who are highly talented mathematically need to work hard to produce mathematical results.

The selections are written in lightly fictionalized story form, which disappointed me somewhat. I really wanted to buy a book of biographies written for kids. However, the stories are clear, enjoyable and appropriate for the audience: my sixth grade math class. I plan to read these stories out loud to them over the course of the year.The book includes a section with additional references, as well as a list of relevant topics to match each mathematician's story.These aren't true biographies; there is interesting and relevant information, but you or your students might be motivated to investigate farther. I bought a couple of biographical books, as well, but they weren't appropriate for kids. Will combine them for a more complete story.

A great way to build interest in mathematics. Get to know the people behind the equations in short, easy to read snippets. We've used this in our homeschool as a springboard. After reading the chapter on Isaac Newton, we wanted to know more, so I found the Sowers book on Newton and we dove in. My 8 and 10 year old can read this for themselves, but we like to read it aloud together.

Because this book is aimed at teachers, they charge a rapacious price for what otherwise should be about half. But I guess they won't sell that many copies. The stories in this book are engaging but it's hard to see how to use this book in math class effectively because that should be reserved for actual math. This might be a good resource for students to do research on a mathematician and present their story.

An engaging book about mathematicians from Thales to Ramanujan. I gave it four stars because it has little about math itself. But the stories are fun to read and give mathematics a human dimension. Suitable for elementary school kids (say, age 8 and up).

I volunteer to read to a child at our local elementary school. She loves math and wasn’t interested in any of the books available. I purchased this book and she connected with the stories!

I'm always looking out for resources that make math fun and accessible for my children, and this book definitely falls into that category. I wasn't sure if I might have to wait a few years before sharing it with them (6 and 7) but they enthusiastically picked a story (from the contents titles) to start with (on Euler) and begged for more after I'd read it to them (we read about Newton next). A great way of putting math into context.

I've so enjoyed reading these! I bought this to eventually read with our kids, but I think they're a little young still to appreciate it. Very interesting short biographies, and well written. I love being able to see the development of mathematics over time!

Wonderful way to set mathematics in context and make it more interesting, memorable and compelling. The short stories are very useful in introducing important mathematicians to children and adults studying maths. I wish somebody had read this book to me as a child! I am thankful for having the opportunity to read it as an adult. I think that knowing the story behind maths and its discoveries makes a difference in our perception and approach to it. I will buy the second volume of 'Mathematicians are People Too'.

My 10-year-old daughter loves the book. She read it several times and even recommended me to read as well.

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