The Mathematicians’ Library

Chalkdust

6 March 2026

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Thomas Briggs is a maths communicator, museum educator, and self declared maths fan. The Mathematicians’ Library (Waterstones, Bookshop.org), is his first book and is a tour of mathematical books through the ages.

Style

The Mathematicians’ Library has 6 chapters each focussed on a different time period. Starting in 40000 BCE and ending up in the modern day. The book is full of pictures of the books and documents that are being discussed and explanations of both the mathematics being discussed and the historical context of the books. With all the pictures this makes a great coffee table book.

Control

The book is written in a clear manner which demonstrates Briggs’ enthusiasm for the history of mathematics. The use of pictures is incredibly engaging and if you get the chance to flick through a copy in a library or bookshop you will find your attention constantly being captured by a piece of mathematical history or a page from a book that you have heard of but never seen before.

Damage

This is a book about books, if you read a lot of popular maths books then you will recognise a lot of the names of mathematicians and the books that they have written. However, there will definitely be some gems in here that you have not heard much about and can learn about from Briggs’ enthusiastic writing style.

Aggression

If you are a fan of both maths books and the history of mathematics then this is a book for you.

You can vote for your favourite book on the Book of the Year shortlist below. The winning book will be crowned the Chalkdust Readers’ Choice. Voting closes at midday (GMT) on Wednesday 11 March 2026.

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