A Review of The MANIAC by Benjamin Labatut

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2025-01-05 20:00:07

I wrapped up 2024 reading The MANIAC by Benjamin Labatut. MANIAC stands for “Mathematical Analyzer, Numerical Integrator, and Computer,” an early computer designed by John von Neumann. The author weaves a fascinating story around the life and achievements of John von Neumann.

To me, the writing style in the first part of the book, which focuses on von Neumann, was reminiscent of Khalil Gibran’s Jesus, The Son of Man. Gibran narrated the life of Jesus through the personal perspectives of people who knew him, characters from the Gospels in the New Testament. Similarly, Labatut tells the story of von Neumann through the narrations of those who were part of his story.

Von Neumann’s achievements are phenomenal, including his contributions to mathematics, game theory, the architecture of the modern computer (which still bears his name), and his deep obsession with computing machines and the human brain. For me, the most powerful narrative in the book was those attributed to the physicist Richard Feynman.

Although the writing is beautiful, there are definitely instances where fact and fiction become indistinguishable — likely by design, as the author classifies the book as “fiction.” For a more accurate account of the life, times, and scientific achievements of von Neumann, I recommend reading The Man from the Future by Ananyo Bhattacharya or The Turing Cathedral by George Dyson.