Mathematics: Its Content, Methods and Meaning

Dover has released all three volumes of the original in an affordable single volume paperback. Although the book is necessarily uninformed by developments since the 1960s, it is a solid and challenging introduction to mathematics useful to the motivated high-school student. It is consciously informed by a Marxist philosophy of mathematics which may be unfamiliar to some readers. The authors believe that mathematics is less... Read Full Review

I whole-heartedly agree with the other positive reviews offered here. There are only a few things I would like to add:(1) Popular math and science has become quite popular lately. I'm sure that there are many pop-math/pop-sci readers who would like a more 'meatier' treatment of math that still has an accessible style. If you're in that group, then this book is for you.It basically requires recollection of high school algebra... Read Full Review

It is a wonderful book. It reminds me of "The Feynman Lectures" in that it focuses on understanding, is (relatively) accessibly, has an incredible depth, and in that it covers an amazing amount. It includes "real" instruction, and you would be able to "do problems" after reading the book, although the real focus is more on understanding/ conceptual stuff.

In addition to my previous review, concerning the contents, here are a few additions on physical aspects.This 1999 paperback edition has all three volumes in one binding. The paper is thinner so the book is less bulky. Page number resets at the beginning of volume 2 and 3. (not renumbered.) Thus the book content is not altered from the 2nd edition (three volumes set) from MIT Press in 1969.One major change is that there... Read Full Review

Many mathematics and engineering books today require "relatively modest background and mathematical maturity," and the text goes with mathematical formalism and compact descriptions. However, this series (three books) is a collection of chapters on single topic, written by top Russian mathematicians in plain language and vivid illustrations. Bright high school students should be able to read them, but the material is no... Read Full Review