Colin Adams

Colin Adams is a mathematician, author, and professor at Williams College known for his work in knot theory and mathematical writing for general audiences. His research focuses on hyperbolic three-manifolds and geometric topology. Adams has written several popular mathematics books including "The Knot Book," "Why Knot?" and "Zombies & Calculus." These works are recognized for making complex mathematical concepts accessible through humor and creative storytelling approaches. His contributions to mathematics education include serving as Mathematical Association of America Distinguished Lecturer and writing the "Mathematically Bent" column for the Mathematical Intelligencer. Adams has received multiple teaching awards including the Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching. Beyond his academic work, Adams performs mathematical comedy shows and has created mathematical plays that have been performed at various venues. His humor writing includes pieces for Mathematical Intelligencer and other publications focused on making mathematics engaging for students and the general public.

Readers appreciate Adams' ability to explain complex mathematical concepts through humor and accessible writing. On Goodreads, "The Knot Book" maintains a 4.1/5 rating from 89 readers, with comments highlighting its clear explanations and gradual build-up from basic to advanced topics. Readers liked: - Clear illustrations and diagrams - Use of humor to engage non-mathematicians - Step-by-step explanations that don't skip steps - Integration of historical context and real-world applications Readers disliked: - Some jokes feel forced or distracting - Later chapters become significantly more technical - Limited coverage of certain knot theory applications - Print quality of diagrams in some editions Amazon ratings average 4.3/5 across his books. "Zombies & Calculus" (3.9/5 on Goodreads) receives praise for its creative premise but criticism for pacing issues. One reader noted: "The zombie narrative sometimes feels like window dressing for calculus lessons rather than an integrated story." Student reviews on course evaluation sites consistently mention Adams' enthusiasm and ability to break down complex topics.

Why Knot? - An introduction to knot theory that mixes mathematical concepts with humor and fictional detective stories.

Zombies & Calculus - A mathematical novel that follows a calculus professor using math concepts to survive a zombie apocalypse.

The Knot Book: An Elementary Introduction to the Mathematical Theory of Knots - A comprehensive textbook on knot theory that covers fundamental concepts and applications.

How to Ace Calculus: The Streetwise Guide - A guide to first-semester calculus that explains concepts through informal language and practical examples.

How to Ace the Rest of Calculus: The Streetwise Guide - A continuation guide covering multivariable calculus topics with practical applications and explanations.

Introduction to Topology: Pure and Applied - A textbook covering basic topology concepts, including knot theory and applications in chemistry and physics.

Riot at the Calc Exam and Other Mathematically Bent Stories - A collection of short stories incorporating mathematical themes and concepts.

Tom Stoppard combines mathematics and theater, writing plays that explore complex concepts through witty dialogue and intellectual puzzles. His work "Arcadia" deals with chaos theory and entropy while weaving together past and present storylines.

Douglas Hofstadter writes about mathematics, consciousness, and artificial intelligence using metaphors and recursive patterns. His book "Gödel, Escher, Bach" connects mathematical concepts to art and music through interwoven dialogues and explanations.

Paul Nahin focuses on mathematical problems and their historical development through detailed exploration of specific concepts. He includes worked examples and practical applications while maintaining historical context.

Ian Stewart writes about mathematics and its applications across multiple disciplines including biology and physics. His work contains explanations of mathematical concepts through real-world examples and historical developments.

Marcus du Sautoy explores patterns in mathematics and their connections to music, art, and architecture. His works examine mathematical symmetry and group theory through connections to culture and nature.