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A review by zena_ryder
The Joy of x: A Guided Tour of Math, from One to Infinity by Steven Strogatz
3.0
This book is about math, but it doesn't have much math in it. So mostly it's pretty easy to read. It must have been very difficult to write about some complex math ideas for non-mathematicians! For the most part, Strogatz does a good job. There were, however, a few parts where I confess I couldn't be bothered to think hard enough to get through the little bit of math there was and I just skimmed those parts. ;) Other times, I felt that Strogatz lingered too long over an easy point. It's probably impossible to get this balance perfect for every single reader and their particular level of interest and ability.
I enjoyed this book because, although I am not knowledgeable about or skilled in math, I do find it fascinating and appreciate its beauty and amazingness. If you fall into the same category, I recommend it. If, however, you are good at math, don't bother. You will likely already know most of this stuff and you will be frustrated by how elementary it is.
It gets only 3 stars because I was reading it for pleasure and it's hard for a book about math — however fascinating I find math — to score any better than that, compared to good fiction. That it scored as highly as 3 stars shows that the author did a good job of making difficult ideas accessible to a non-mathematician.
I enjoyed this book because, although I am not knowledgeable about or skilled in math, I do find it fascinating and appreciate its beauty and amazingness. If you fall into the same category, I recommend it. If, however, you are good at math, don't bother. You will likely already know most of this stuff and you will be frustrated by how elementary it is.
It gets only 3 stars because I was reading it for pleasure and it's hard for a book about math — however fascinating I find math — to score any better than that, compared to good fiction. That it scored as highly as 3 stars shows that the author did a good job of making difficult ideas accessible to a non-mathematician.