The Art of Doing Science and Engineering: Learning to Learn
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A groundbreaking treatise by one of the great mathematicians of our age, who outlines a style of thinking by which great ideas are conceived.
What inspires and spurs on a great idea? Can we train ourselves to think in a way that will enable world-changing understandings and insights to emerge?
Richard Hamming said we can. He first inspired a generation of engineers, scientists, and researchers in 1986 with “You and Your Research,” an electrifying sermon on why some scientists do great work, why most don’t, why he did, and why you can—and should—too. The Art of Doing Science and Engineering is the full expression of what “You and Your Research” outlined. It’s a book about thinking; more specifically, a style of thinking by which great ideas are conceived.
The book is filled with stories of great people performing mighty deeds—but they are not meant simply to be admired. Instead, they are to be aspired to, learned from, and surpassed. Hamming consistently returns to Shannon’s information theory, Einstein’s theory of relativity, Grace Hopper’s work on high-level programming, Kaiser’s work on digital filters, and his own work on error-correcting codes. He also recounts a number of his spectacular failures as clear examples of what to avoid.
Originally published in 1996 and adapted from a course that Hamming taught at the US Naval Postgraduate School, this edition includes an all-new foreword by designer, engineer, and founder of Dynamicland Bret Victor, plus more than 70 redrawn graphs and charts.
The Art of Doing Science and Engineering is a reminder that a capacity for learning and creativity are accessible to everyone. Hamming was as much a teacher as a scientist, and having spent a lifetime forming and confirming a theory of great people and great ideas, he prepares the next generation for even greater distinction.
From the Publisher
From the all-new foreword by Bret Victor
The Art of Doing Science and Engineering is the full, beautiful expression of what “You and Your Research” sketched in outline. In this delightfully earnest parody of a textbook, chapters on “Digital Filters” and “Error-Correcting Codes” do not, in fact, teach those things at all, but rather exist to teach the style of thinking by which these great ideas were conceived.
This is a book about thinking. One cannot talk about thinking in the abstract, at least not usefully. But one can talk about thinking about digital filters, and by studying how great scientists thought about digital filters, one learns, however gradually, to think like a great scientist.
A new edition, including over 70 redrawn graphs and charts
Hamming demands that you do extraordinary work
“Hamming is here to tell you about excellence. His lessons unfold through personal stories of discovery and failure—life as an extraordinary scientist. But Hamming demands that you do extraordinary work, too, and for that he offers the best advice I know.”
––Andy Matuschak, software engineer, designer, and researcher
One of the major US intellects
“Your last chance to read the words of thinking of one of the major intellects that the USA has produced.”
––Eugene N. Miya, NASA researcher
Preparing the next generation for even greater greatness
“Hamming was always as much a teacher as a scientist, and having spent a lifetime forming and confirming a theory of great people, he felt he could prepare the next generation for even greater greatness. That’s the premise and promise of this book.”
––Bret Victor, founder of Dynamicland, designer, and engineer
About the author
Richard W. Hamming was a scientist and mathematician whose work inspired a generation of engineers, scientists, and researchers. He is best known for discovering mathematical formulas that allow computers to correct their own errors, a fundamental function of modems, compact disks, and satellite communications.
Born in Chicago in 1915, he provided crucial programming support as a member of the Manhattan Project. After World War II, he joined Bell Labs, where over the next 15 years he was involved in nearly all of its most prominent achievements. He later taught and lectured at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Throughout his career, Hamming received many awards for his work, including the Turing Award in 1968, the highest honor in computer science. In 1988, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers created the Richard W. Hamming Medal in his honor, of which he was the first recipient. He died in 1998.
About the publisher
Stripe Press publishes books about economic and technological advancement. Stripe partners with hundreds of thousands of the world’s most innovative businesses—organizations that will shape the world of tomorrow. These businesses are the result of many different inputs. Perhaps the most important ingredient is “ideas.” Stripe Press highlights ideas that we think can be broadly useful. Some books contain entirely new material, some are collections of existing work reimagined, and others are republications of previous works that have remained relevant over time or have renewed relevance today.
Other titles by Stripe Press:
High Growth Handbook by Elad GilThe Dream Machine by M. Mitchell WaldropStubborn Attachments by Tyler CowenThe Revolt of the Public by Martin GurriAn Elegant Puzzle by Will LarsonGet Together by Bailey Richardson, Kevin Huynh, and Kai Elmer SottoThe Making of Prince of Persia by Jordan Mechner
Publisher : Stripe Press (May 26, 2020)
Language : English
Hardcover : 432 pages
ISBN-10 : 1732265178
ISBN-13 : 978-1732265172
Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
Dimensions : 6.25 x 1.25 x 9.25 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book great, interesting, and worth their time. They also appreciate the insightful content and useful tidbits of wisdom. Readers mention the book has an adequate amount of rambling and anecdotes.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
13 reviews for The Art of Doing Science and Engineering: Learning to Learn
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Steven Bridges –
Came for the engineering, stayed for the lessons
I’m halfway tempted to write my engineering college and demand a full refund considering this book wasn’t required reading. This is a must have for anyone in an engineering field(or any STEM field for that matter). The book is written so well. Hamming somewhat apologizes for the first person references in the intro, I would argue this is the best part. His anecdotes about how he learned a particular lesson were not only engaging to read, but clearly defined the message. It almost felt like I was having coffee with this guy and he was telling old war stories. Seriously one of the most unique science books I’ve ever read.The more technical chapters on error coding and filters were the real reason I purchased the book, as I had been doing some ECC implementations and was looking to really see how this was “discovered”. These chapters (while brillant) were actually not the parts I enjoyed the most. The chapters on simulation actually had me screaming “YES!” when he describes reliance on simulation as a mistake, and that simulation only closely approximates reality. His insistence that while fast simulations are great, time between the simulations can be just as important, and that a true scientist should be thinking about the results before the results are calculated. These thought simulations allow the scientist/engineer to start thinking about the problem and what the simulation doesn’t account for. It was quite refreshing to hear this.Ever since reading this book, I’ve started purchasing a copy for anyone who works under me. Understanding the math behind the problems isn’t required. It’s nice, to understand it, but certainly not the value you should receive out of this.Again, I honestly am floored that this wasn’t required reading where I attended college. It’s possible that someone in college would not be able to appreciate it, but after being in my career for 8 years, it is truly the most interesting and engaging STEM book I have read.
Taylor Hoganson –
Excellent, but have a strong background in calc, particularly differential equations
Book is great, but is best enjoyed with a strong background in math. Still, it doesnât really focus on the math, uses it as an example and uses it to make points, not really to teach, so the book can be valuable to anyone who reads it. It changed the way I looked at my work.
MJ –
Insightful content; physical book itself is exceptionally high quality (paper, binding)
Highly recommend!
Jesse –
Crafty book introducing techniques for understanding the world around us.
Based on another’s work, yet simultaneously original, great work, and perspective.
Amazon Customer –
Quick delivery.
The order was sent promptly and the package is in good condition. The condition of the book is good.
Geoff –
Excellent wisdom from a computer science great
While the book was written in 1994 and makes predictions about what computer science might look like in 2020, that isn’t the point of the book. This is a great work by someone who got into the computing game in the 1940’s right when things were starting to take off. The author’s name should be familiar to you (aka the Hamming code) which adds a nice cachet of credibility.Hamming takes you through a fun history of computers and the art of computer programming but also with a larger point: trying to get you to think great thoughts. There are lots of wonderful insights in this book about management, corporate culture, scientific style and thinking about the future. The book is a beautifully made hardback priced like a softback — a terrific value, and a thought provoking and inspiring read.
M. Mansfield –
Developing Better Thought Processes for Effective Problem Solving
I came by Richard Hamming via a footnote on an essay on learning what it takes to become better at handling information. With my curiosity piqued, I decided to purchase this new edition, and I’m glad I did.I’m nearly two-thirds through it, and I’ve already jotted down several notes on passages where Professor Hamming goes into detail on communicating ideas better, coding, learning, and mathematics. His chapter on Claude Shannon’s Information (Communication) Theory is worth the price of the book alone.I realise this book is not groundbreaking, but I’ve enjoyed his thought process as it differs from many similar books where it leaves me to reflect on things I was taking for granted in my thinking. And any book that’s a cause for reflection on one’s thoughts is a worthy exercise if it means overall better progress for oneself.
Amazon Customer –
This gives you a life lesson
This book will expand your way of thinking.
Pedro –
Custo benefÃcio e um bom manual para organizar as ideias.
Lauren –
The book is very well-wrapped and of superb quality.
shahid k. –
Good book
Theis Egeberg –
I’ve read some of the negative reviews of this book. I’m a seasoned veteran when it comes to engineering. And I can see how some would not get a lot from this book. It requires experience to fully grasp what’s being said here. Also it can’t really be said, because then it would be a formal science. Hamming tries to reach above pragmatic advice and rules of thumb, and provide some intuition and guidelines for how to become great at something that isn’t yet formally defined. But you need to have attempted to climb this mountain before it makes any sense. Otherwise it will likely seem like a weird soup of stories.It’s a fantastic book if you’re at the end of your line, trying to find some last nugget of penned truth. It’s eloquent and delightful. It has also stood the test of time incredibly well.
shashank s. –
Heâs done it, and thought about how he and people around him have behaved and what their âstyleâ is. Now he wants you to do it.