The Vexing Case of Igor Shafarevich, a Russian Political Thinker [Hardcover]

This is the first comprehensive study about the non-mathematical writings and activities of the Russian algebraic geometer and number theorist Igor Shafarevich (b. 1923). In the 1970s Shafarevich was a prominent member of the dissidents human rights movement and a noted author of clandestine anti-communist literature in the Soviet Union. Shafarevichs public image suffered a terrible blow around 1989 when he was decried as a dangerous ideologue of anti-Semitism due to his newly-surfaced old manuscript Russophobia. The scandal culminated when the President of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States suggested that Shafarevich, an honorary member, resign. The present study establishes that the allegations about anti-Semitism in Shafarevichs texts were unfounded and that Shafarevichs terrible reputation was cemented on a false basis.

This volume offers the first comprehensive overview of non-mathematical writings and activities of Igor Shafarevich (b. 1923). The text reveals various aspects of his life, including very serious -- and unfounded -- allegations of anti-Semitism.

1 Igor Shafarevich, a lightning rod for controversy.- ?2 Shafarevichs early years in the young Soviet state.- 3 Shafarevich, the human rights activist.- 4 The first disputes about the Soviet  and Russian  future.- ?5 From under the rubble, Shafarevichs and Solzhenitsyns joint project.- 6 Shafarevichs addresses until the early 1980s.- ?7 Shafarevichs first statements during the era of glasnost.- 8 Russophobia.- 9 The rapid political changes of the late 1980s early 1990s.- 10 Critique of techno-scientific civilisation .- 11 Some conclusions.- Sources and literature.- Index of personal names.

From the reviews:

The book under review consists of 11 chapters. & The book is supplemented by a bibliography and index of personal names. The book will be of interest to mathematicians, hislÓÏ