John von Neumann (1903–1957)

The first part consists of heavily edited versions of von Neumann's famous 1949 lectures given at the University of Illinois. Burks' commentary is interesting though I would like to see the complete lectures.

The second part is a construction of the text von Neumann was working on at the time of his death. This is heavy reading because it's the foundational work of a new field. If one's interest is playing around with CAs there are probably more accessible options.

The book design show more unfortunately has the figures and schematics for the CA appended instead of intermingled. show less

The book was of interest mostly for historical reasons but the comparisons between computing and neurophysiological components (as they were known at the time) and some of the analogising between computing machines and the human neurobiological system were interesting. It's a pity von Neumann didn't finish and deliver the lectures before he died.

After 50 years, this book by the genius John von Neumann is still relevant in many aspects. I wish I had read this before I started my cognitive science education or before I have written my cog. sci. thesis. Neumann's insights into the architecture of the information processing of the brain is what many scientists today consider a nearly standard framework.

Anybody in interested in the intersection of computing science and brain research should read this short and sharp book, not only for show more its contents but also for Neumann's style. show less

Impressive little book which along with Turing's work, et al., founded the field of computer science as we know it. Of most interest if you are interested in the history and foundations of modern computer science, otherwise the concepts here will be so familiar that you will know many of them already.