Packing spheres, Reversi, braids, polyominoes, board games, and the puzzles of Lewis Carroll. These and other mathematical diversions return to readers with updates to all the chapters, including new game variations, mathematical proofs, and other developments and discoveries. Read about Knuth’s Word Ladders program and the latest developments in the digits of pi. Once again these timeless puzzles will charm readers while demonstrating principles of logic, probability, geometry, and other fields of mathematics. "In this collection of 20 reprints of his "Mathematical Games" columns from 1959 and 1961 issues of Scientific American, Gardner shares his delight in recreational math. The renowned mathematics and science writer presents concepts exemplified by board games and puzzles by the author of Alice in Wonderland and others, with solutions, updated information, and references. Among Gardener's many books is The Annotated Alice . Published in association with the Mathematical Association of America." Book News "While Martin Gardner has always called himself "strictly a journalist," he should really be honored as one of this country's greatest cultural treasures." The Washington Post For the full text visit: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/21/AR2009102103700.html The latest on packing spheres, Reversi, braids, polyominoes, board games, digits of pi, and the puzzles of Lewis Carroll. For 25 of his 90 years, Martin Gardner wrote 'Mathematical Games and Recreations,' a monthly column for Scientific American magazine. These columns have inspired hundreds of thousands of readers to delve more deeply into the large world of mathematics. He has also made significant contributions to magic, philosophy, debunking pseudoscience, and children's literature. He has produced more than 60 books, including many best sellers, most of which are still in print. His Annotated Alice has sold more than a million copies. He continues to write a regular column for the Skeptical Inquirer magazine.