by Rebecca Goldstein

This is not the definitive Gödel bigoraphy; instead, Goldstein focuses on mainly on Gödel's early years in Vienna and on the Incompleteness Theorems themselves. As part of Norton's Great Discoveries Series, this book is written by a (primarily) fiction writer with the goal of bringing the story of one of history's great scientific breakthroughs to the lay public. Goldstein does this quite well, although the story might not be the one that all readers might expect. For those interested in insights to Gödel's notorious paranoia and reclusive nature in his later years, look elsewhere. For those interested in the influence that the Theorems had on future thinkers, look elsewhere. For those looking for a lay understanding of the Theorems (without necessarily needing to understand their larger context) or those who are interested in how Gödel fit into the famous Vienna Circle (or didn't fit in, as it turns out), then this is the book for you.