I recently started “reading” The Princeton Companion to Mathematics. I put “reading” in quotes (twice) because reading this book is work. Just the introductory sections take serious effort if one is reading to completely grasp the subject matter. The Companion covers a lot of ground, and I am only about 100 pages into a 1008 page book. Why did I pick this brick of a book for my next reading? Seriously, you could murder someone with this book (either by hitting someone over the head with it, or by making them read it).
I have become interested in a couple of math-heavy subject lately in computer science. Artificial Intelligence and Bayesian Nets are just two subjects that require serious math knowledge. It seems like I keep running into a wall of my own mathematical ignorance. I started searching for math books to learn various topics. It seemed like everything was either “Math for Dummies”, or too advanced for someone 10+ years passed their last math class. The Companion was meant for those with advanced high school math and some college math, so I though it would be perfect for me. And so far it has, but the 100 pages I have read have been some of the toughest I have ever read.
Something else tough about this book is its size. Its huge. Just finding a comfortable reading position can be difficult. Sitting in our living room reading, I feel like I am behind the technological curve holding such a tome. Rita sits in her chair comfortably reading her Kindle while I hold 1008 pages of hardcover book up. Or rest it on the arm rest and try to position myself. Sheesh!
Still, I have gained some confidence in my purchase as I have gotten 100 pages deep into the book. If nothing else, I have relearned some concepts I once knew and have also learned some of the right questions to ask. I honestly don’t know if I will ever finish this monster, but I am confident that as long as I continue to put forth effort I will continue to reap the rewards.
