The Neumann Compendium

Abstract

After three decades since the first nearly complete edition of John von Neumann’s papers, this book is a valuable selection of those papers and excerpts of his books that are most characteristic of his activity, and reveal his continuous influence. The results receiving the 1994 Nobel Prizes in economy deeply rooted in Neumann’s game theory are only minor traces of his exceptionally broad spectrum of creativity and stimulation. The sections are introduced by short explanatory notes with an emphasis on recent developments based on von Neumann’s contributions. An overall picture is provided by Ulam’s 1958 memorial lecture. Facsimiles and translations of some of his personal letters and a newly completed bibliography based on von Neumann’s own careful compilation are also added.