The Last Recreations: Hydras, Eggs and Other Mathematical Mystifications

More than any of his other writing, Martin Gardners Mathematical Recreations column in Scientific American cemented his reputation as Americas premier writer on recreational mathematics and set the standard for the genre. The Last Recreations collects Gardners columns from the last seven years before his retirement from the magazine in 1986. "Martin Gardner is quite simply the most captivating, entertaining, and downright accessible mathematics writer the world has ever seen." KEITH DEVLIN, AUTHOR OF GOODBYE, DESCARTES "It provides some spell-binding moments." NEW SCIENTIST "As usual, these columns stand as examples of the finest mathematical exposition of all time." AMERICAN MATHEMATICAL MONTHLY "By almost any standard, Gardners contributions to mathematics put him near the top of the profession. His books and articles have probably stimulated more research and inspired more budding mathematicians than the writing and teachings of most entire math departments." SIAM NEWS