Is The Maniac by Benjamin Labatut a True Representation of von Neumann's Circle?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on "The Maniac" by Benjamin Labatut, which presents a narrative about Johnny von Neumann through the perspectives of his colleagues and family members, including notable figures like Richard Feynman and Oskar Morgenstern. Participants express skepticism regarding the authenticity of the dialogues attributed to these historical figures, questioning how they would react to Labatut's interpretations. The book's structure, consisting of short essays, raises concerns about the accuracy of the portrayals and the potential liberties taken by the author.

PREREQUISITES
  • Familiarity with the life and contributions of Johnny von Neumann
  • Understanding of literary narrative techniques, particularly in biographical fiction
  • Knowledge of key figures in the field of mathematics and physics, such as Richard Feynman and Oskar Morgenstern
  • Awareness of the genre of speculative fiction and its conventions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the historical accuracy of biographical fiction, focusing on works about scientific figures
  • Explore the contributions of Johnny von Neumann to mathematics and computer science
  • Investigate the literary techniques used by Benjamin Labatut in "The Maniac"
  • Read critiques and reviews of "The Maniac" to understand varying perspectives on its authenticity
USEFUL FOR

Readers interested in biographical fiction, historians of science, literature enthusiasts, and anyone analyzing the representation of historical figures in modern narratives.

gmax137
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Has anyone here read this
https://www.amazon.com/MANIAC-Benjamin-Labatut/dp/0593654471?tag=pfamazon01-20

It is a strange book, seemingly about Johnny von Neumann. Each chapter appears to be a short essay written by von Neumann's colleages and wives. Feynman, Morgenstern, ... As I read this I keep wondering what these purported writers would think of the words Labatut is putting in their mouths. I haven't checked to see if any of them are still living.
 
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