The Heart of Mathematics: An invitation to effective thinking

It is a rare mathematics book that can be called lucid, light-hearted, and profound, and yet these are the words that capture the spirit of The Heart of Mathematics. Using careful explanation, intriguing puzzles, and challenges, the authors invite readers to use open-ended thinking in discovering and constructing mathematical ideas. Throughout the book, the authors stress that mathematics is an analytical way of thinking, one that can be brought to bear on problem solving and effective thinking in any field of study.

"This is very possibly the best 'mathematics for the non-mathematician' book that I have seen--and this includes popular (non-textbook) books that one would find in a general bookstore." From the reviews of the second edition: "In this book, the reader will see that mathematics is a network of intriguing ideas a ] . It is a really nice book. a ] This attractive book contains a lot of well-known and interesting problems a ] . It is really true that the ideas presented in this book are some of the most fascinating and beautiful ones around. a ] The reader will have something to explore, to learn, to think, to enjoy, and to add new aspects to his view of everything." (Valentina DagienA, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1065, 2005) From the reviews of the second edition: "In this book, the reader will see that mathematics is a network of intriguing ideas ??? . It is a really nice book. ??? This attractive book contains a lot of well-known and interesting problems ??? . It is really true that the ideas presented in this book are some of the most fascinating and beautiful ones around. ??? The reader will have something to explore, to learn, to think, to enjoy, and to add new aspects to his view of everything." (Valentina Dagien??, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1065, 2005)