Gauss, the famous math genius, once said that mathematics is "the Queen of the Sciences". However, as a non-mathematician I find quite boring opening those books that are crammed with abstruse theorems and demonstrations. To me, the special place math occupies among the sciences emerges when we apply it to modeling nature. It is amazing how the n-fold symmetry in flowers, the pattern exhibited by sand dunes, and optical effects such as rainbows and glories can be mathematically described in a very concise manner. These are but a few natural phenomena and objects that are described in Adam's book. Upon turning each page you will discover an equation or mathematical model of the natural world; for instance, why do honey bees built their honeycombs using hexagonal cells? This has to do with maximizing the region of space covered by such biological structures (the 7-hexagon honeycomb) while minimizing the perimeter. Hence, does nature possess a mathematical struture?
Another important aspect of this beautiful book is that it teaches us how to develop mathematical models of complex, natural systems and phenomenas while selecting only the most important variables (the great physicist Enrico Fermi was a master of mathematical estimations based on simple reasoning). Obviously, this type of exercise requires years of practice as well as a good knowlege of physics and its basic laws. Another nice book written by the same author is "A Mathematical Nature Walk".
