Martin Gardner's Mathematical Games columns in Scientific American inspired and entertained several generations of mathematicians and scientists. Gardner in his crystal-clear prose illuminated corners of mathematics, especially recreational mathematics, that most people had no idea existed. His playful spirit and inquisitive nature invite the reader into an exploration of beautiful mathematical ideas along with him. These columns were both a revelation and a gift when he wrote them; no one—before Gardner—had written about mathematics like this. They continue to be a marvel.

This volume, first published in 1966, contains columns originally published from 1959–1961. This is the 1995 MAA edition and contains an extensive postscript and bibliography from Gardner updating the columns.