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The problem with Goodfellow's book is that it is half-baked. I don't know why he has to introduce Linear Algebra section for a 3rd of the book (which ends abrup
by spectramax 8y ago
The problem with Goodfellow's book is that it is half-baked. I don't know why he has to introduce Linear Algebra section for a 3rd of the book (which ends abruptly) but then moves on to the ANNs. If Goodfellow intended this book for mathematicians, that whole section about LA can be omitted with literally no loss in the book's value. The whole book arguably feels rushed.
So, no amount of praise and mathematician's justification makes sense. I agree that it is inclined for mathematicians, but this book is overrated and it is terribly due for a rewrite, update and frankly in my personal view - the writing style.
I am curious of specific parts of the book you found valuable.
- nilkn 8y agoThe section on linear algebra moves quickly. I don't see how a book including extra prerequisite material is an example of it being half-baked or rushed. Surely that would actually be an example of the opposite? That section is a nice reference to have immediately available for things like SVD and PCA.
- jhanschoo 8y agoPerhaps restructuring the LA part into an appendix would be preferable. For mature readers, it nevertheless serves as a way to focus and agree on notation that is used for the rest of the book.