Biography, Autobiography, Memoir discussion

Hi,

I need a biography suggestion. I am studying mathematics at advanced level. I am in a very critical state where I am losing faith. There is just no energy left and I am distracted.

More importantly I cannot find myself working as hard as I need to do. Thus I am looking to read a biography of some man who must have pulled all nighters, worked hard and not quit. There are so many people who have done that. But there is this strange thing with me that I get more energised by reading story of people who already have accomplished things and describe the process in detail of their having to deal with the uncertainties of life.

I will be forever and ever thankful to anyone who could guide me in that direction.

Thank you in advance!

May I suggest Tesla: Man Out of Time? The book is about an extremely hardworking inventor who got by on 2 hours of sleep per night.

There are a bazillion bios on Thomas Edison, who reportedly only slept 3 to 4 hours a night, regarding sleep as a waste of time.

https://www.brainpickings.org/2013/02...

What about Hidden Figures: The Untold True Story of Four African-American Women Who Helped Launch Our Nation into Space even though its about women, its about mathematicians....

Alan Turing: The Enigma Man I havent read this but there are lots of bios about mathemitician Alan Turing

Thank you so much, so far I have been reading - Stephan Hawkings (My Personal History). Just started today after severe cold made me incapable of anything in this cold weather.

Thank you so much all for your great recommendations. I will surely try to read all the suggestions.

@Koren. This had been really very helpful. But taking quick nap means that you must have someone to wake you up with a cup of nice black coffee because otherwise you'll wake when the sun is already past its zenith. :-) But on a serious note there were other things which really were very helpful like single-mindedness.

Single-minded pursuit. I think that is more or less what leads towards success more often than the other way round. Of course our definitions of successes are more personal (at least that's what I tend to believe), but in general the underlying paradigm is that. Bottomline: the article really helped me. Thank you!

Will look into this list if other's have more recommendation.

@ Selina Turing is very interesting as does the represent a lot for me. How could have I not thought about those people. There must have been others. Will surely post on the math boards to find out.

@ fishface Thank you for your help. I will be reading Tesla as just after I have finished my current reading. Thank you!

MARK wrote: "Thank you so much, so far I have been reading - Stephan Hawkings (My Personal History). Just started today after severe cold made me incapable of anything in this cold weather.

Thank you so much ..."

Mark, I dont nap often but when I do 15 minutes is tops but I wake up refreshed and ready to continue on with my day. Good luck with your pursuits.

Check out the memoir books from physicist Richard Feynman. He not only pulled all nighters but experimented with more than 24 hour days. Interesting fellow.