"Even those who have grown estranged from mathematics may find comfort in the book and thereby renew their interest in the field. Bessis has tried to peel back the complexity of the secret world of mathematics for non-mathematicians. At that task, Mathematica is about as good as we can hope for."--Matthew Phillips, Washington Free Beacon "I was utterly charmed by Mathematica . Whether you love math or hate it (or just think you hate it), please read this book. It's about what mathematics really is."--Steven Strogatz, author of Infinite Powers "I felt like David Bessis put in writing the way I learn, enjoy, and live mathematics. A must-read for mathematicians and non-mathematicians alike.

"--Hugo Duminil-Copin, 2022 Fields Medal laureate "In this revealing book, David Bessis leads us on an earnest and personal journey into how to think mathematically: a process of exploration, making mistakes, and gradually correcting and improving one's understanding."--Terence Tao, 2006 Fields Medal laureate "This is an insightful, illuminating, and thought-provoking book, de-mystifying what it means and feels like to do mathematics."--Eugenia Cheng, author of Is Math Real? , The Joy of Abstraction , and How to Bake Pi "This is a rare specimen: a mathematical self-improvement book. It's full of playful, assertive, inventive coaching for becoming your best mathematical self."--Ben Orlin, author of Math with Bad Drawings "The inside story on how mathematicians think, how they choose their problems, how they avoid getting discouraged, and why common beliefs about mathematics are wrong. Brilliant, readable, and perceptive."--Ian Stewart, author of What's the Use?.