Reviewing by numbers

Do the following topics interest you?

* A history of US involvement in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
* The benefits/drawbacks of a competitive society
* Where does mathematical talent come from? (genetics vs learning environment)
* How maths is taught in American schools and elsewhere
* What it takes to qualify for the IMO
* Why do boys traditionally do better at maths than girls?
* Reasons for the high proportion of Asian students in US IMO squads
* Case studies of various mathematical prodigies
* Case studies of the 2001 US IMO team
* The 2001 IMO questions (with at least one possible solution for each)
* Creativity in problem solving
* How the US (and other top countries) fared at the 2001 IMO
* Do gifted children become "successful" adults?
* The achievements of former US IMO team members
* What is genius?
* The genius in us all

If they do - and note that the above list is just my crude summary - consider reading Steve Olson's elegant scientific investigation, "Count Down: Six Kids Vie For Glory At The World's Toughest Maths Competition".

Rather than exploit its brilliant young subjects for entertainment value like the movie "Spellbound" (which I admit to enjoying), it places them in a wider discussion about how we learn and reason, and the beauty of mathematics.

One last thing... The book regularly refers you to the appendix for solutions to the various questions, so save flipping and use two bookmarks! :-)