Geometric figures and equations are relatively few and far between, the nonmathematically inclined may be relieved to know, in this elegant, balanced survey of competitive high school math by science writer Olson (Mapping Human History
), who chronicles the progress of the six-member American team that participated in the 2001 Olympiad held in Washington, D.C. In between character sketches, the author examines such issues as whether "genius" is something you're born with (drawing parallels with musicians, he argues that it's those who practice the most who tend to do the best), why certain ethnic groups or nationalities do better than others (traditional rote problem-solving has handicapped U.S. students) and why girls are underrepresented in the field—though the book opens with an account of the impressive career of Melanie Wood, the only girl so far to make the U.S. team (twice, in 1998 and 1999). Six problems taken from the Olympiad will challenge math buffs, who will also appreciate a joke about the waitress with a surprising knowledge of calculus. Contrary to the nerd stereotype, Olson portrays the young math whizzes as normal, well-adjusted kids who enjoy other activities like playing the piano and Ultimate Frisbee. Aimed at the general reader, this uplifting book should also draw fans of more technical recent math titles such as John Derbyshire's Prime Obsession
or David Foster Wallace's Everything and More
. (Apr. 2)
FYI:
Mapping Human History (2002) was a National Book Award finalist.
