A New Year’s Present from a Mathematician AK Peters/CRC Recreational Mathematics Series

Longlisted for the BSHS Hughes Prize 2021

A New Year?s Present from a Mathematician is an exciting book dedicated to two questions: What is it that mathematicians do? And who gets to be called a ?mathematician? and why?

This book seeks to answer these questions through a series of stories ranging from the beginning of modern mathematics through to the 20th century, but not in a usual, chronological manner. The author weaves her story around major questions concerning nature of mathematics, and links mathematicians by the substance of their ideas and the historical and personal context in which they were developed.

Ideal as a gift for anyone with an interest in mathematics, this book gives a powerful insight into mathematical concepts in an easy-to-read-and-digest manner, without trivializing their nature. The attention given to engaging examples, framed within a poetic narrative structure, means that this book can be enjoyed by almost anyone, regardless of their level of mathematical education.

1. Introduction. 2. January. 3. February. 4. March. 5. April. 6. May. 7. June. 8. July. 9. August. 10. September. 11. October. 12. November. 13. December. 14. A Happy New Year's Card.

Snezana Lawrence is a mathematical historian, with a particular interest in the links between mathematics, architecture, and the belief systems related to mathematics. Her work on the creativity, identity, and engagement in the learning of mathematics has taken her to be involved in national and international initiatives to promote the use of the history of mathematics in mathematics education.

Twitter @mathshistory, @snezanalawrence

www.mathsisgoodforyou.com