The Proof is in the Pudding

Preface.- What is a Proof and Why?- The Ancients.- The Middle Ages and Calculation.- The Dawn of Modern Age.- Hilbert and the Twentieth Century.- The Four-Color Theorem.- Computer-Generated Proofs.- The Computer as a Mathematical Aid.- The Sociology of Mathematical Proof.- A Legacy of Elusive Proofs.- John Horgan and "The Death of Proof".- Methods of Mathematical Proof.- Closing Thoughts.- References

Steven Krantz is a well-known Springer author. He has written nine books with Springer (1-931914-59-1, 0-8176-4339-7, 0-8176-4011-8, 0-8176-4339-7, 0-8176-4220-X, 0-8176-4097-5, 1-930190-87-5, 0-8176-4264-1, 0-8176-4285-4 ) with sales accumulating almost $130,000 in North America. Prof. Krantz is the editor-in-chief of the "society" journal (published in cooperation with Springer) "The Journal of Geometric Analysis" and is also the present editor-in-chief of the AMS Notices. "The Proof is in the Pudding, is the first of its kind. It details the history of the proof from its beginnings to its place in present-day mathematics. (This was presented as a "hot topic" in an article in the Notices of the AMS.)

From the reviews:"The author traces the development of the idea of proof from Euclid through computer-aided and computer-generated proofs, pointing out the way some current social trends in mathematics affect the construction of nonstandard proofs. ... This work provides good outside class reading for students--and not just mathematics majors; one could easily imagine this as a supplement to courses on the history or philosophy of science. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through researchers/faculty; general readers." (D. Robbins, Choice, Vol. 49 (2), October, 2011)"In this book Steven Krantz undertakes the Miltonic task of justifying the ways of (pure) mathematicians to the world at large. ... The concept of mathematical proof is at the heart of Krantz's book. ... mathematicians should find the book interesting, illuminating, provocative ... ." (J. M. Plotkin, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2012 b)"Krantz's book is entertaining, can be read by the early undergraduate and puts forward some serious issues. There are few math books that are useful and valuable reading for all mathematicians, but this is one of them." (Charles Ashbacher, The Mathematical Association of America, June, 2011)

"This book is to describe the essence, nature, and methodology of mathematical proof, with a strong emphasis on the change of these concepts in time. ... It is written in a very clear and suggestive manner that makes the reading pleasant and rewarding ... . Any reader will notice that the author has reached this goal in very convincing way, and the outcome is a brilliant work which should be found in every math library and department office." (Jürgen Appell, zbMATH 1318.00005, 2015)

"In this book Steven Krantz undertakes the Miltonic task of justifying the ways of (pure) mathematicians to the world at large. ... The concept of mathematical proof is at the heart of Krantz's book. ... mathematicians should find the book interesting, illuminating, provocative ... ." (J. M. Plotkin, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2012 b)


"The author traces the development of the idea of proof from Euclid through computer-aided and computer-generated proofs, pointing out the way some current social trends in mathematics affect the construction of nonstandard proofs. ... This work provides good outside class reading for students--and not just mathematics majors; one could easily imagine this as a supplement to courses on the history or philosophy of science. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through researchers/faculty; general readers." (D. Robbins, Choice, Vol. 49 (2), October, 2011)







"Krantz's book is entertaining, can be read by the early undergraduate and puts forward some serious issues. There are few math books that are useful and valuable reading for all mathematicians, but this is one of them." (Charles Ashbacher, The Mathematical Association of America, June, 2011)