Preface to the Three-Volume Paperback Edition of Mathematical Thought The reception accorded the original edition of this book is most gratifying.I am flattered,if not a penny richer for it,by a pirated Chinese translation. Even more satisfying is a forthcoming authorized Spanish translation This work is part of my long-time efforts to humanize the subject of mathematics.At the very beginning of my career I banded with a few col- leagues to produce a freshman text that departed from the traditional dry-as dust mathematics textbook.Later,I wrote a calculus text with the same end in view.While I was directing a research group in electromagnetic theory and doing research myself,I still made time to write Mathematics In Western Culture, which is partly history and partly an exploration of the influence of mathe- matics upon philosophy,religion,literature,art,music,economictheory,and political thought.More recently I have written with the general reader in mind a book on the philosophical foundations of mathematics and a book on the underlying mathematical structure of a good deal of science,most espe- from this more affordable and accessible three-volume paperback edition of Mathematical Thought.I wish to acknowledge the helpful suggestions made by Harold Edwards,Donald Gillis,and Robert Schlapp among others.My very special thanks go to Fred Pohle for his time,interes,and generosity.Having over the years taught a course based on this book,he saw a need for a multi volume paperback version and provided the impetus for this edition.Beyond this he gave unstintingly of his time and knowledge in helping me correct errors.I am truly in his debt,as I am to my wife Helen,who undertook much of the work involved in preparing this edition