'Perelman and the world of Soviet maths training make a fascinating, moving tale, and in Perfect Rigor Masha Gessen tells it brilliantly.' Tom Stoppard, Guardian 'Perelman possessed and developed a perfect mathematical mind with which he achieved a unique triumph in maths. But having a perfect mind in an imperfect world, is almost bound to end in tragedy, as Masha Gessen's brilliant book reveals.' Johnny Ball 'Gessen provides a thorough account of the circumstances that led to Perelman's rise in the vicious, backstabbing little worldA" of Soviet mathematics and a brilliant reconstruction of the twisted logic that might have led to his mysterious exit. In so doing she has written something rare: an accessible book about an unreachable man.' New York Times

Promotional Information

A thrilling account of an utterly brilliant and utterly eccentric Russian mathematician which sheds a rare light on the unique burden of genius

About the Author

Masha Gessen is a journalist who has written for Slate, Seed, the New Republic, the New York Times, and other publications, and is the author of two previous books.

Reviews

'Perelman and the world of Soviet maths training make a fascinating, moving tale, and in Perfect Rigor Masha Gessen tells it brilliantly.' Tom Stoppard, Guardian 'Perelman possessed and developed a perfect mathematical mind with which he achieved a unique triumph in maths. But having a perfect mind in an imperfect world, is almost bound to end in tragedy, as Masha Gessen's brilliant book reveals.' Johnny Ball 'Gessen provides a thorough account of the circumstances that led to Perelman's rise in the vicious, backstabbing little worldA" of Soviet mathematics and a brilliant reconstruction of the twisted logic that might have led to his mysterious exit. In so doing she has written something rare: an accessible book about an unreachable man.' New York Times