The most recommended calculus books

Who picked these books? Meet our 8 experts.

8 authors created a book list connected to calculus, and here are their favorite calculus books.
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Book cover of Chases and Escapes: The Mathematics of Pursuit and Evasion

Pramod Ganapathi Author Of Mathematical and Algorithmic Puzzles

From my list on mathematical and algorithmic puzzles.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a Research Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Stony Brook University learning/teaching/researching mathematics/algorithms/puzzles. In these fields, I have published a book, published 15+ papers in conferences/journals, been granted a US patent, won two Outstanding Paper Awards, taught 10+ courses in 25+ offerings, and have supervised 90+ master's/bachelor students. I am a puzzle addict involved in this field for 25 years and puzzles are my religion/God. Puzzles are the main form of supreme energy in this universe that can consistently give me infinite peace.

Pramod's book list on mathematical and algorithmic puzzles

Pramod Ganapathi Why did Pramod love this book?

This book is full of beautiful puzzles on a mathematical topic called pursuit evasion. Its author Paul Nahin has written tens of books in physics and mathematics.

Nahin's writing can be described as a captivating reading experience pulling readers into his world like a whirlpool. His appreciation of mathematics, physics, and the people who discover them is unmatchable. It seems like the physics of motion and the mathematics of calculus is inseparable, as can be witnessed in the book.

The calculus used in this book is heavy. Nevertheless, Nahin makes his readers fall in love with this big beast. Almost every puzzle in this book is aesthetically beautiful and gives readers a deep sense of satisfaction. My favorites include Lady in the Lake, and Lion and Man.

By Paul J. Nahin,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Chases and Escapes as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

We all played tag when we were kids. What most of us don't realize is that this simple chase game is in fact an application of pursuit theory, and that the same principles of games like tag, dodgeball, and hide-and-seek are also at play in military strategy, high-seas chases by the Coast Guard, and even romantic pursuits. In Chases and Escapes, Paul Nahin gives us the first complete history of this fascinating area of mathematics, from its classical analytical beginnings to the present day. Drawing on game theory, geometry, linear algebra, target-tracking algorithms, and much more, Nahin also offers an…


Book cover of Alex Through the Looking-Glass

David Acheson Author Of The Wonder Book of Geometry: A Mathematical Story

From my list on mathematics for the general reader.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an applied mathematician at Oxford University, and author of the bestseller 1089 and All That, which has now been translated into 13 languages. In 1992 I discovered a strange mathematical theorem – loosely related to the Indian Rope Trick - which eventually featured on BBC television. My books and public lectures are now aimed at bringing mainstream mathematics to the general public in new and exciting ways.

David's book list on mathematics for the general reader

David Acheson Why did David love this book?

This is a sequel to Alex Bellos's bestseller Alex's Adventures in Numberland, but more focused on applications of mathematics to the real world, especially through physics. Many of these were known to me, particularly when they involved calculus, but I greatly enjoyed Alex's distinctive and novel way of putting across sophisticated ideas, in part by interspersing them with personal interviews with mathematicians of all kinds.  

By Alex Bellos,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Alex Through the Looking-Glass as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From triangles, rotations and power laws, to fractals, cones and curves, bestselling author Alex Bellos takes you on a journey of mathematical discovery with his signature wit, engaging stories and limitless enthusiasm. As he narrates a series of eye-opening encounters with lively personalities all over the world, Alex demonstrates how numbers have come to be our friends, are fascinating and extremely accessible, and how they have changed our world.

He turns even the dreaded calculus into an easy-to-grasp mathematical exposition, and sifts through over 30,000 survey submissions to reveal the world's favourite number. In Germany, he meets the engineer who…


Book cover of Chases and Escapes: The Mathematics of Pursuit and Evasion
Book cover of Alex Through the Looking-Glass

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