Aimed at readers wanting to truly learn math for the first time and those who have seen their knowledge slip away, King (mathematics, Lehigh U.) presents mathematics as a set of fundamental principles rather then a complicated set of rules. Divided into ten lessons, the book begins at the most basic level with a discussion of symbolic logic and progresses from number theory to the principles of calculus. The author encourages aesthetic, creative, and historic consideration throughout as, according to him, "the motivation for mathematics is beauty". A key to symbols and an index is provided. The author also wrote The Art of Mathematics. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)