A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines by Janna Levin

A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines

Janna Levin

What a strange, original and moving book this is showing the tragic cost of genius. Not an easy book to read but it is well worth the effort. I never felt out of my depth even when the most complex scientific and mathematical ideas were being discussed.

Extract
It's true Turing was doing algebra during religious instruction, but they underestimate the strength of his faith. He was thinking about God and, cliched as it sounds, about the soul. Where is God in 1 + 1 = 2?
Where is God?
Parallels
  • Mobius Dick by Andrew Crumey
  • Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman