Start a Reading Program Now!

If your chair comes to you and asks you to teach a history of mathematics course, my advice is simple: Say no! Teaching history of mathematics is very hard work, so just say "no."  .  .  .  However, since you are reading this, I know you have already said yes, so I will have to come up with some better advice. Here it is:

START  READING  NOW !

Like all good advice, this is simple to state, but hard to follow. If you are going to teach a history of mathematics course that you will feel satisfied with, then you need to develop considerable background in the history of mathematics. There is only one way to acquire this and that is by reading. I can assure you that I am no genius; my expertise in the history of mathematics has been won by working hard, working hard over many years. This is an area where tenacity pays off.

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If you have comments, send email to V. Frederick Rickey at fred-rickey@usma.edu .
First posted 2 December 1996.