Mathreader's Blog

There is quite some trouble in trying to classify the genre of this book. The closest match would be the ‘popular math’ category, but it violates the basic rule of popular science books: it is full with equations. Actually there are pages containing only math. Diving into Fourier-series without any hesitation. Is it a calculus book then? No, it is also about emotions, friendship, love. Not even a psychological one.

It is about how math interacts with life on every level, both personal matters and applied math. Continuity versus sudden changes, infinity versus limits. Yes, it is more like a philosophical treatise on the very fundamental ideas of calculus. Philosophical treatise, not in the dry sense, but more like Plato’s dialogues. Though again, not quite.  By the way, thumbs up for promoting the idea of real physical mail correspondence. I do not mean that it is the future, just saying that it had some values that email communication certainly does not have. Think about the dedication and time needed to sit down and write a letter.

As you can see, this book is rather odd, but nevertheless it is a great book. People say that it can be read with ignoring the mathematical bits, I certainly doubt that.

The book itself, as a physical entity, is a gem. Very nice binding, hardcover, high quality yellowish shade paper.

Strongly recommended! If you don’t happen to know the ‘Monk and the Mountain Riddle’, you will have a good laugh at the simplest solution.