The Calculus of Friendship

<p><i>The Calculus of Friendship</i> is the story of an extraordinary connection between a teacher and a student as chronicled through more than thirty years of letters between them. What makes their relationship unique is that it is based almost entirely on a shared love of calculus. For them calculus is more than a branch of mathematics; it is a game they love playing together a constant when all else is in flux. The teacher goes from the prime of his career to retirement competes in whitewater kayaking at the international level and loses a son. The student matures from high school math whiz to Ivy League professor suffers the sudden death of a parent and blunders into a marriage destined to fail. Yet through it all they take refuge in the haven of calculus--until a day comes when calculus is no longer enough.<br><br><br> Like calculus itself <i>The Calculus of Friendship</i> is an exploration of change. It's about the transformation that takes place in a student's heart as he and his teacher reverse roles as they age as they are buffeted by life itself. Written by a renowned teacher and communicator of mathematics <i>The Calculus of Friendship</i> is warm intimate and deeply moving. The most inspiring ideas of calculus differential equations and chaos theory are explained through metaphors images and anecdotes in a way that all readers will find beautiful and even poignant. Math enthusiasts from high school students to professionals will delight in the offbeat problems and lucid explanations in the letters.<br><br><br> For anyone whose life has been changed by a mentor <i>The Calculus of Friendship</i> will be an unforgettable journey.</p>