Andrea Parlangeli 
A Pure Soul 
Ennio De Giorgi, A Mathematical Genius

This biography illuminates the life of Ennio De Giorgi, a mathematical genius in parallel with John Nash, the Nobel Prize Winner and protagonist of A Beautiful Mind. Beginning with his childhood and early years of research, into his solution of the 19th problem of Hilbert and his professorship, this book pushes beyond De Giorgi’s rich contributions to the mathematics community, to present his work in human rights, including involvement in the fight for Leonid Plyushch’s freedom and the defense of dissident Uruguayan mathematician José Luis Massera. Considered by many to be the greatest Italian analyst of the twentieth century, De Giorgi is described in this volume in full through documents and direct interviews with friends, family, colleagues, and former students.

Table of Content

Geese and Rabbits.- Roman lecture Halls.- A Pure Soul.- ‘The Radio Says: The Racers are Running Away…’.- Two on the Top.- The Professorship.- Oregano of Sicily.- Faedo’s Team.- Incredible Ideas.- It’s Too Easy.- 1968.- His Name Was Grifo.- The Emperor’s Lions.- Socrates.- Euler and the Barrel.- Let’s Save Plyushch!.- A Revolutionary Message.- Waves of Refugees.- Solidarity, Liquid Crystal and Computer Vision.- Timor Domains Principum Sapientiae.- The Freedom to Dream.- In the Shadow of Death.- French Drums.- The Last Exam.- Epilog – a Well Sown Seed.