The Princeton Companion to Mathematics (Hardcover)

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Review
The Princeton Companion to Mathematics makes a heroic attempt to keep [abstract concepts] to a minimum . . . and conveys the breadth, depth and diversity of mathematics. It is impressive and well written and it's good value for [the] money.
(Ian Stewart The Times )

This is a panoramic view of modern mathematics. It is tough going in some places, but much of it is surprisingly accessible. A must for budding number-crunchers.
(The Economist )

Although the editors' original goal of text that could be understood by anyone with a good background in high school mathematics provided short-lived, this wide-ranging account should reward undergraduate and graduate students and anyone curious about math as well as help research mathematicians understand the work of their colleagues in other specialties. The editors note some advantages a carefully organized printed reference may enjoy over a collection of Web pages, and this impressive volume supports their claim.
(Science )

Accessible, technically precise and thorough account of all math's major aspects. Students of math will find this book a helpful reference for understanding their classes; students of everything else will find helpful guides to understanding how math describes it all.
(Tom Siegfried Science News )

Massive . . . endlessly fascinating.
(Gregory McNamee The Bloomsbury Review )

The Princeton Companion to Mathematics is a friendly, informative reference book that attempts to explain what mathematics is about and what mathematicians do. Over 200 entries by a panel of experts span such topics as: the origins of modern mathematics; mathematical concepts; branches of mathematics; mathematicians that contributed to the present state of the discipline; theorems and problems; the influences of mathematics and some perspectives. Its presentations are selective, satisfying, and complete within themselves but not overbearingly comprehensive. Any reader from a curious high school student to an experienced mathematician seeking information on a particular mathematical subject outside his or her field will find this book useful. The writing is clear and the examples and illustrations beneficial.
(Frank Swetz Convergence )

Edited by Gowers, a recipient of the Fields Medal, this volume contains almost 200 entries, commissioned especially for this book from the world's leading mathematicians. It introduces basic mathematical tools and vocabulary, traces the development of modern mathematics, defines essential terms and concepts, and puts them in context. . . . Packed with information presented in an accessible style, this is an indispensable resource for undergraduate and graduate students in mathematics as well as for researchers and scholars seeking to understand areas outside their specialties.
(Library Journal )

Once in a while a book comes along that should be on every mathematician's bookshelf. This is such a book. Described as a 'companion', this 1000-page tome is an authoritative and informative reference work that is also highly pleasurable to dip into. Much of it can be read with benefit by undergraduate mathematicians, while there is a great deal to engage professional mathematicians of all persuasions.
(Robin Wilson London Mathematical Society )

This volume is an enormous, far-reaching effort to survey the current landscape of (pure) mathematics. Chief editor Gowers and associate editors Barrow-Green and Leader have enlisted scores of leading mathematicians worldwide to produce a gorgeous volume of longer essays and short, specific articles that convey some of the dense fabric of ideas and techniques of modern mathematics. . . . This volume should be on the shelf of every university and public library, and of every mathematician--professional and amateur alike.
(S.J. Colley Choice )

The book I'm talking about is The Princeton Companion to Mathematics. If you are in an absolute rush, the short version of my post today is, buy this book. You don't have to click on the link with my referral if you don't want to, seriously just pick up a copy of this book, I can guarantee you that it will be love at first sight. . . . The Princeton Companion to Mathematics is not only a beautiful book from an aesthetic standpoint, with its heavy, high quality pages and sturdy binding, but above all it's a monumental piece of work. I have never seen a book like this before. . . . [T]he bible of mathematics. . . . I believe this is the kind of book that will still be in use a hundred years from now.
(Antonio Cangiano Math-Blog.com )

I'm completely charmed. This is one of those books that makes you wish you had a desert island to be marooned on.
(Brian Hayes bit-player.org )

This has been a long time coming, but the wait was worth it! After many years of slogging through textbooks that presented too many proofs and demonstrations that were left to the student or lacking numerous intermediate steps, after encountering numerous 'introductions' that were obtuse and highly theoretical and after digesting far too many explanations with maximal equations and minimal verbiage, we arrive at the happy medium. This book is a companion in every sense of the word and a very friendly one at that. . . . For a comprehensive overview of many areas of mathematics in a readable format, there has never been anything quite like this. I would urge a trip to the local library to have a look.
(John A. Wass Scientific Computing )

Review
This is a wonderful book. The content is overwhelming. Every practicing mathematician, everyone who uses mathematics, and everyone who is interested in mathematics must have a copy of their own.
(Simon A. Levin, Princeton University )

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2 Reviews 5 star:  (1) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   28 of 29 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars An unusual and outstanding guide, 5 Nov 2008 By  Mr. M. Bennet (Harlow, England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    I received a copy of this book for my birthday this year, and was immediately drawn towards the material on algebra with which I was most familiar. The most striking thing about the book as a whole, both in the bits I know well, and the bits I don't know much about, is the way in which it combines large portions of accessible text with substantial mathematical content - it is the lack of actual serious content which frustrates me most about popular books about maths (Fermat's Last Theorem and the Riemann Hypothesis have received the popular treatment with limited content). But in this companion there are clues to enable an enthusiast to engage with the material. It is right to say, as the introduction does, that there is material in this book which will require some knowledge beyond what you might learn at school. But do not let that put you off (it is no more daunting than the physical size of the book, which mirrors only its extensive coverage). For the genius of this companion is in the way that it engages with real mathematics and how it is actually done by real mathematicians. It is not simply a presentation of particular subject matter (as in a text book) nor is it an encyclopedia of mathematics, for it seeks to convey an understanding of the nature and importance of pure mathematics, rather than simply definitions of the component parts - and through disciplined editing and clear exposition it sets a standard which will not easily be matched. There is a huge amount which will challenge and excite a good A-level student. My one observation is that the suggested further reading is sometimes a great deal more demanding than the component articles of the Companion (which is partly a reflection of just how good these articles are) - but more consistency, or a scheme for marking references accessible at or just beyond A-level is the only improvement I could think of. If this book had been in my school library when I was 17 ... well every school with a 6th form should have one. And anyone with a true interest in mathematics should have it to browse (and will want to read it). Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   3 of 11 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars A wide yet not especially detailed range of content, 2 Feb 2009 By  J. Aston (Leicester) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Apparently this should cover the whole of my undergraduate maths course. It doesn't cover everything and is not particularly specific. Probably good as a reference book but not as a study companion or something to depend on. Having said that, things that were covered were explained clearly, eg. Countability, and since it tends to cover things briefly it explains them more in 'English' than maths, which is often useful. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 2 customer reviews...		Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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