The phrase "Golden Age" is most often used to refer to an era when the dominant players exhibited characteristics that are later called "amateurish." For example, the fifties are often called the golden age of American television and the thirties and forties the golden age of science fiction. However, like most such glittery phrases, it can be redefined to suit ones purposes, and that is what Devlin does here. He takes as his era of consideration the years since 1960.
Some of the topics are those that have been resolved in this time span, such as the four-color problem, the classification of simple groups, Hilbert's Tenth Problem, and the Continuum Hypothesis. Others are some that have been created by the advent of computers, such as fractals, chaos, and the efficiency of algorithms. Finally, there are those where only significant progress has been made, such as Fermat's Last Theorem, factoring large numbers, and Knot Theory. All are dealt with in a manner that will allow the non-technical person to understand them. The writing is clear, concise, and direct.
With over half of the material dealing directly with work done on computers, it is clear that the author's use of the phrase is correct. However, this era will go down in history as the original golden age of the use of computers in mathematics and not as a new golden age of mathematics alone.
Strongly recommended as a primer on major mathematical accomplishments since 1960, this book can be enjoyed by amateurs and professionals alike.
Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission
