48 Best Books from Oxford’s Very Short Introductions Series

Book List, Education, Mathematics, Science
August 5, 2022

Oxford’s Very Short Introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects — from Islam to Mathematics, Politics to Classics, and Literary Theory to History. Not only a textbook of definitions, but each volume also provides trenchant, provocative, balanced discussions of the central issues in a given topic.

How many Oxford’s Very Short Introductions are there?

The series began in 1995, and today there are around 700 titles published. Oxford’s Very Short Introductions range from worth reading to wonderfully appealing. They’re well written by leaders in their area, thought-provoking, and insightful. Expert authors curated facts, analysis, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make often challenging topics highly readable. Whatever the area of study, whatever the topic that fascinates the reader, the series has a handy and affordable guide that will likely prove indispensable.

With over 700 titles, many more in development, and regularly updated new editions, the series constantly evolves to reflect a contemporary readership. Whatever your area of study, whatever the topic that fascinates you, the series is an indispensable and accessible guide that will enrich your understanding.

Since I absolutely love Oxford’s Very Short Introductions series, and they are extremely informative books, I decided to curate 40+ the best books from Oxford’s Very Short Introductions series. They will make a useful addition to your bookshelf.

If you like this list, you should definitely check out 73 Beautiful Books from the MIT Press Essential Knowledge Series.

The History of Mathematics: A Very Short Introduction

From the distant past to the present, this Very Short Introduction explores mathematical practice's great historical diversity and cultural diversity. Mathematical concepts are far from being set in stone, as historian Jacqueline Stedall demonstrates; rather, they are modified and altered as they travel through different eras and cultures. The book uses fascinating case studies from a variety of historical periods and locations, such as early imperial China, the medieval Islamic world, and nineteenth-century Britain, to shed light on some of the diverse situations in which people have learned, used, and passed on mathematics. Stedall offers an introduction to both the history of mathematics as a modern academic discipline and to the mathematics of the past by highlighting some recurring themes....

The Sun: A Very Short Introduction

The Sun, as our nearest star, is crucial for life on Earth because it provides the warm radiation and light necessary for the evolution of complex life. The Sun has a significant impact on our climate, and solar storms and other high-energy occurrences can pose a threat to satellites and our communication network....

Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction

Mathematics: A Very Short Introduction

"This book's goal is to carefully but untechnically illustrate the distinctions between high-level, research-level mathematics and the kind of mathematics we learn in school. Readers of this book will leave with a deeper grasp of seemingly counterintuitive ideas like infinity, curved space, and imaginary numbers since the most fundamental distinctions are philosophical. The opening chapters discuss general facets of mathematical theory. Following these are talks of more specialized subjects, and the book concludes with a chapter that addresses frequently asked social concerns concerning the mathematical community, such as "Is it true that mathematicians burn out at the age of 25?" Anyone who wants to better grasp mathematics should start with this introduction."...

Dreaming: A Very Short Introduction

What are dreams, and what triggers them? Why do dreams seem so bizarre, and why is it so difficult to remember them? J. Allan Hobson presents a fresh and increasingly comprehensive understanding of how dreaming is produced by the brain, replacing the mysticism surrounding dreams with contemporary dream science. This book examines how the new science of dreaming is influencing psychoanalytical views and how it is improving our comprehension of the origins of mental illness, focusing on dreams to explain the mechanisms of sleep....

Intelligence: A Very Short Introduction

This book introduces readers to the science of human intelligence for those who know little or nothing about it and helps them reach the point where they can evaluate the basic issues of mental capacity for themselves. Each chapter discusses an important scientific topic but does so in an engaging and perfectly understandable manner. Discussed topics include whether there are several types of intelligence, if environmental factors such as genes or environment have a role in intelligence disparities, the biological foundation of cognitive levels and whether intelligence decreases with age....

Child Psychology: A Very Short Introduction

From infancy to the beginnings of puberty, this Very Short Introduction provides a current, trustworthy, and intelligible summary of modern child psychology. Usha Goswami explores the bonding and attachment process from infancy on, showing how secure attachments encourage the development of self-awareness. Goswami examines how infants and toddlers understand the natural, biological, and social environments and how they acquire sophisticated skills like morality and language. He also looks at cognitive reasoning and language acquisition....

Genes: A Very Short Introduction

Jonathan Slack examines the discovery, nature, and function of genes in both evolution and development in this investigation of the idea of the gene. Slack emphasizes how DNA variants are used to trace human ancestry and migration and can also be used by forensic scientists to identify suspects in crimes. She explains the nature of genetic variation in the human population, how hereditary factors were identified as molecules of DNA, and how certain specific mutations can lead to disease. Slack also examines topics like the relationship between intelligence and genetic heredity, as well as changes that take place in populations' genes during evolution....

Applied Mathematics: A Very Short Introduction

Applied Mathematics: A Very Short Introduction is a comprehensive yet concise book that covers the applications of mathematics in extraordinary detail. Written by Alain Goriely, the book examines how applied mathematics has been used by disciplines such as pure physics and engineering, highlighting the importance of these applications and their immense possibilities. ...

Matter: A Very Short Introduction

What is the issue? The material from which we and everything else in the world are produced is called matter. A million atoms may fit across the width of a human hair, yet everything around us, including desks, books, and even our own bodies, is formed of atoms. Every atom contains a small nucleus surrounded by a circling cloud of electrons. By enlarging the image, you can see that the protons and neutrons that make up the nucleus also contain even smaller particles called quarks. The quarks are the essential building blocks of physics that have been since the Big Bang, or roughly 14 billion years ago, and are the smallest particles known to exist, along with electrons. All normal...