Professor Miguel Abreu, president of the Department of Mathematics (DM) and researcher at the Center for Mathematical Analysis, Geometry and Dynamical Systems (CAMGDS), recommends two books related to sociology – which invite us to think about the world and current events – and one technical book.

The president of the Department of Mathematics (DM) invites us to read the book “Curvas Ideais, Relações Desconhecidas E Outras Histórias da Matemática”, by Jorge Buescu, professor at Universidade de Lisboa.

“Jorge Buescu’s talent as disseminator of mathematical science (and therefore of all sciences) lies in the way he transforms scientific discoveries and breakthroughs into a sort of detective stories, leading us to practice mathematics and to reason mathematically”.

Professor Miguel Abreu’s second choice is the book “Factfulness – Factuality, Ten reasons why we are wrong about the world – And why things are better than we think”, by Hans Rosling. In this book, the author, who was a doctor, professor of international health, and considered one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Times, challenges us to think the world differently, namely the problems of poverty and development.

“My children recently offered me this book and it will be one of my summer readings”, confesses the Técnico professor. Professor Miguel Abreu shares one of the paragraphs that caught his attention: “I want people, when they realize they have been wrong about the world, to feel not embarrassment, but that childlike sense of wonder, inspiration, and curiosity that I remember from the circus, and that I still get every time I discover I have been wrong: “Wow, how is that even possible?”

Finally, professor Miguel Abreu invites us to read Bernard-Henri Lévy’s essay, titled “The Virus in The Age of Madness”. “I recommend this book not only because it addresses a current issue but also because the author gives his perspective and criticism”.