Great Discoveries; 5.4 X 0.8 X 8 inches; 319 pages; light foxing stains to the top exterior edge of textblock only. Light shelf wear to the back cover. Good condition otherwise. No other noteworthy defects. No markings. Light fading to pages. ; - Your satisfaction is our priority. We offer free returns and respond promptly to all inquiries. Your item will be packaged with care and ship on the same or next business day. Buy with confidence.

Seller Inventory # HVD-54022-A-0

Contact seller

Report this item

Bibliographic Details

Title

The Man Who Knew Too Much Alan Turing and the Invention of the Computer

Publisher

W. W. Norton & Company, New York, NY

Publication Date

2006

Language

English

ISBN 10

0739471953

ISBN 13

9780739471951

Binding

Paperback

Edition

First Paperback Edition; Third Printing.

Condition

Good

Seller catalogs

About this title

Synopsis

A "skillful and literate" (New York Times Book Review) biography of the persecuted genius who helped create the modern computer.

To solve one of the great mathematical problems of his day, Alan Turing proposed an imaginary computer. Then, attempting to break a Nazi code during World War Ii, he successfully designed and built one, thus ensuring the Allied victory. Turing became a champion of artificial intelligence, but his work was cut short. As an openly gay man at a time when homosexuality was illegal in England, he was convicted and forced to undergo a humiliating "treatment" that may have led to his suicide.

With a novelist's sensitivity, David Leavitt portrays Turing in all his humanity? his eccentricities, his brilliance, his fatal candor? and elegantly explains his work and its implications.

Review

a painful and slightly deranged story, a case history to illustrate Freud's notion that modern man is a 'prosthetic god', immortailised by his technological appliances. It is guaranteed to make you feel tenderly towards the martyred Turing (Peter Conrad THE OBSERVER )

[Leavitt's] description of Turing's great paper on computable numbers really does explain what it was about and why it was important. (THE TIMES )

Leavitt's biography will give even the most innumerate reader an idea of the beautiful and fascinating world he is missing. (THE ECONOMIST )

Turing... showed that no mathematical system can provide a general method for testing the truth or falsehood of its theorems. (THE SPECTATOR )

A thoroughly compelling read. (CITY A.M. )

Leavitt provides a sympathetic novelist's take on a brilliant eccentric... a picture of the fragility of human genius. (THE GUARDIAN )

Alan Turing's story will still fascinate those who come to it through this book. (THE INDEPENDENT )

a peculiarly British tragedy, where genius is subordinate to the status quo and conformity prized above all. (TIME OUT )

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

True Oak Books is dedicated to giving a second life to books. We take pride in what we do and do our best to provide good service. Our small but passionate team hand picks rare finds in a variety of fiction as well as non-fiction.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Association Member

Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.

Seller's business information

True Oak Books LLC
446 New Paltz Rd, APT 6, Highland, NY, 12528, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

Items can be returned within 30 days of the estimated delivery date. All returns must be approved before an item is shipped back. Domestic returns generally take two weeks and International returns can take up to six weeks to be received and processed. In the event that an item is being returned due to an error on our part, a prepaid return label will be supplied via email upon request. If a return is not approved, there may be a delay with processing a refund.

Right of cancellation

Shipping Terms

Orders usually ship within 2 business days [M-F]. Items shipped via USPS Media Mail should arrive within 4-14 business days [M-F]. Please note, as per USPS, depending on service location and/or high peak periods within the post office, deliveries can take up to 21 business days [M-F] to arrive. Should your order not arrive within 21 business days [M-F], please contact us promptly for resolution.

Shipping rates from U.S.A. to United Kingdom

Shipping rates from U.S.A. to United Kingdom
Order quantity	8 to 25 business days	5 to 8 business days
First item	� 18.49	� 51.77

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.

Detailed Seller Information