Combinatorial Mathematics VIII: Proceedings of the Eighth Australian Conference on Combinato... Book

To mathematicians, the expressions of mathematics are poetic in nature and expressive of thought. Using only a few symbols, it is possible to express the movements of galaxies, stars, planets and the smallest spacecraft. The secrets of how the universe operates on the physical level are expressed in mathematics, understanding the equations causes you to simultaneously burst with pride and kneel down in humility. There is no greater joy to a mathematician than when you prove and understand a theorem for the first time.
These poems express some of these same aspects of pride, humility and emotional joy; only they are expressed in textual poetry that has a mathematical theme. Some are classic poems by the masters with little in the way of mathematics, for example there are works by Emily Dickinson, John Donne, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Robert Frost, Carl Sandburg and William Carlos Williams. While items in that set of poems are always a joy to read that of course is not the main attractor found in this book. For that position is firmly held by the material that has a true mathematical theme, where writers intelligently and thoughtfully combine the explanatory beauty of mathematics with the emotional beauty of poetry.
As the song states, "Love is a many-splendored thing." In this book mathematics is splendored in many ways that demonstrate the breadth and depth of interest and joy that it presents to those who love it.

Published in "Journal of Recreational Mathematics" reprinted with permission and this review appears on Amazon.