The Story of Martin Gardner and Mathematics as Magic

Martin Gardner, one of the greatest recreational mathematicians of all time, is responsible not only for helping popularize mathematics as an art form and as a form of recreation but for inspiring a generation of future mathematicians to pursue it as a profession. He wrote the Mathematical Games column for Scientific American for a quarter of a century, and his mathematical and scientific gems have found their way into dozens of foreign publications as well as numerous research papers. The Nature of Things documentary gives the viewer an up close look at Martin Gardner’s work and the work of other people with whom he collaborated. If you’re looking for some mathematical entertainment with serious mathematical substance, or simply want a glimpse into the playful nature of mathematics and mathematicians, this is a highly recommended film.