tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7678644382724432489.post2768506734793117912..comments2012-01-26T17:04:07.041ZComments on Travels in a Mathematical World Blog: Favourite popular mathematics booksPeter Rowletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05352923128514059385noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7678644382724432489.post-1660845434591596942012-01-26T10:34:00.718Z2012-01-26T10:34:00.718ZAnother good one is <a href="http://www.amazon.co....Another good one is <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mathematics-Inevitable-Spectrum-Underwood-Dudley/dp/0883855666" rel="nofollow">Is Mathematics Inevitable?</a><br /><br />It's an anthology of essays on a variety of subjects around and about mathematics. It's a lovely read.Christian Perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00290303187588170351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7678644382724432489.post-1761102065734069302012-01-24T18:11:50.009Z2012-01-24T18:11:50.009ZI have a feeling that the Plus magazine twitter ac...I have a feeling that the Plus magazine twitter account had this question a while ago. A few good books turned up, including "50 mathematical ideas...", which I think is the best pop maths book I've ever read.Christian Perfecthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00290303187588170351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7678644382724432489.post-55036191363050262382012-01-24T14:10:41.320Z2012-01-24T14:10:41.320ZI'd suggest "Coincidences, Chaos, and All...I'd suggest "Coincidences, Chaos, and All That Math Jazz: Making Light of Weighty Ideas". I read it when I was about 14 and found it fairly easy to read with out much formal mathematical education. It describes infinite series in terms of stacking playing cards, it includes a bit of topology, even ventures into higher dimensions (at 14 I was in awe!), it has a bit on fractals, a little on the Fibonacci sequence, it even has a "journey beyond infinity" in which infinity is explored. A really good read for someone without mathematical knowledge.<br /><br />I've been debating obtaining a copy of "The Music of the Primes: Why an unsolved problem in mathematics matters" but I believe I will purchase it when I next find a copy. I'll also be on the look out for Barry Mazur's book which I'd never heard of before now.Nathan Van Maastrichthttps://twitter.com/Nathan1123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7678644382724432489.post-76135048871683088592012-01-22T09:49:27.591Z2012-01-22T09:49:27.591ZI'd rather people made their own comments but ...I'd rather people made their own comments but in the spirit in which this blog post was written, here are some sent to me via Twitter or Google+ but not posted here:<br /><br />Liz Krane (G+): I'd also highly recommend The Number Sense by Stanislas Dehaene, which is all about the neuroscience behind numeracy and basic mathematical abilities. It's a fascinating read. :)<br /><br />@petercclarke (Twitter): I'd add '50 Mathematical Ideas You Really Need To Know' as an intro<br /><br />@iantaylor2uk (Twitter): "the art of the infinite" and "an adventurers guide to number theory" - both excellentPeter Rowletthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05352923128514059385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7678644382724432489.post-3353796329318299452012-01-21T17:10:11.026Z2012-01-21T17:10:11.026ZI'm sure there are others I'd like to add ...I'm sure there are others I'd like to add - Fauvel, Flood and Wilson's "Oxford Figures" is a favourite of mine - but if novels are included Scarlett Thomas's "Popco" should be there.Tony Mannnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7678644382724432489.post-32755104122467899342012-01-21T12:07:11.185Z2012-01-21T12:07:11.185ZGreat list - thanks, Peter! I have enjoyed Bellow,...Great list - thanks, Peter! I have enjoyed Bellow, Stewart and Pickover, but it's wonderful to have these additional recommendations. I've nearly finished reading Maths and the Mona Lisa by Bulent Atalay this week - another excellent book, very wide-ranging. And if you want to branch out and add some fiction to the list :) I can suggest the absolutely beautiful The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa.Catherine Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12699609620098355135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7678644382724432489.post-26743955910200445402012-01-20T13:41:17.888Z2012-01-20T13:41:17.888ZA Cultural Paradox: Fun in MathematicsA Cultural Paradox: Fun in MathematicsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7678644382724432489.post-66624406268857814722012-01-19T21:01:54.649Z2012-01-19T21:01:54.649ZGreat list Peter - thanks for collating. I have ma...Great list Peter - thanks for collating. I have many of other peoples choices on my bookshelves too including Alex's book, Chaos, fermats last theorem and Ian Stewarts 'cabinets' all excellent recommendations.John Readnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7678644382724432489.post-48864936217278520122012-01-19T20:08:43.218Z2012-01-19T20:08:43.218ZDonald Knuth, "Surreal Numbers" and Con...Donald Knuth, "Surreal Numbers" and Conway & Guy, "The Book of Numbers"Thony C.http://thonyc.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com