Reaping and Sowing, 2-vol. set: Reflections and Memories from a Mathematician

A two-volume memoir of the pioneering mathematician and creator of modern algebraic geometry, exploring math, creativity, and the “betrayal” of the scientific community.

It has been said that, in the twentieth century, what Albert Einstein was to physics, Alexander Grothendieck was to mathematics. As the leading figure in the creation of modern algebraic geometry, Grothendieck brought tremendous attention to this domain, placing it ahead of other areas of math, including topology, number theory, representation theory, and logic. His unusual life, his sudden rupture with the mathematical community and his devotion to ecological causes extended his renown beyond the mathematical community. This is his story.

Originally written and published in French, this is the first English translation of Grothendieck’s autobiography. Spanning over a thousand pages and across two volumes, Reaping and Sowing leads readers into the intimate realm of his mind, as Grothendieck unveils the territories of his spiritual and personal journey, critique on the ethics of mathematicians, and mathematical work.