Expert: Josh - 7/3/2007

Question
I'm wondering if you can name some great books on math for non-mathematicians.

There are two types of resources I'm looking for. The first is an overview of the field, kind of like what "Physics for Future Presidents" (http://tinyurl.com/2s9sjk) by Richard Muller does for Physics. Muller talks about matter, waves, electricity, quantum mechanics, energy, etc. but with very few equations; instead he explains the importance of understanding physics concepts to make everyday decisions and national policy.

The second is a more specific, but extremely accessible look into a particular field for the layman, for example what "Freakonomics" is to economics, or "The Tipping Point" is to sociology.

Can you recommend any such resources for math? I think of the works of John Allen Paulos, for example.

Many, many thanks! I really appreciate your generous volunteering.

Answer
Hi Luke,

I don't have books to recommend as such. However, I know the department of mathematics at St. Andrew University has published a number of articles with a list of references for further reading.

The first article http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/HistTopics/History_overview.html
gives you a historical perspective.

The second article www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Extras/Aleksandrov_mathematics.html

"A general view of Mathematics" by Aleksandr Danilovic Aleksandrov (1956) examines the characteristic features of mathematics. It touch on some important ideas such as abstractions, proofs and applications.

Cheers