MATHEMATICS AND THE IMAGINATION

First edition, first printing. Original red cloth with gilt titles to the spine and a gilt emblem to the upper board, in dustwrapper. Top edge black. Illustrated throughout with black and white in-text diagrams and drawings by Rufus Isaacs. A near fine copy, the binding square and firm, the cloth fresh with just a little rubbing at the spine tips. The contents with faint spotting to the endpapers and light toning to the margins, are otherwise clean throughout and without previous owner's inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the good or slightly better, rubbed and creased dustwrapper that is chipped at the spine tips and corners and with several closed tears primarily at the folds. Not price clipped ($2.75 to the front flap). Scarce in first edition, especially so in dustwrapper.

A non-technical book on mathematics which became a best seller, praised for its ability to elegantly convey complex mathematical concepts, as well as the wonder that mathematicians find in mathematics, to the average lay person. Now famous for the first appearance of the words 'googol' and 'googolplex', it contains a charming story of how Kasner's nine year old nephew suggested the name during a conversation about very large numbers with his uncle.