I Want to Be a Mathematician

Why it’s on the list: Halmos on what the profession of mathematics is actually like — seminars, departments, teaching, writing — rather than on mathematics itself.

Where I saw it: A reply to @WillManidis’s question on X, June 2, 2025 — “what is the single best book you can read that will explain an entire industry?” — recovered from that thread and saved to Kyle’s Apple Note “Books To Read”. Thread: https://x.com/willmanidis/status/1929527399718269081