Before I started at uni I was recommended this book (2nd edition). I felt daunted by the size of it (it's still growing). I was told which sections to concentrate on first by a colleague. I dived in and started to actually enjoy doing the mathematics. Maths is a journey and Stroud gives you a map and a compass (no pun intended), he then pushes you in the right direction all you have to do is walk. This is the maths teacher you always wished you had. The good news is you can get him, learn from him and he's always there when you need him, with this book. Stroud is no longer sharpening his pencil but his legacy lives on and its excellent.

When I was 20, I had the second edition of this book at University. I loved it. It was a big tomb, but really was good for working through maths problems. So now I am 60 and decided to freshen up. This is the 8th edition. It is MASSIVE!!! Why on earth don't they break it into two volumes? I can't work through this thing, I am likely to drop it as much as understand a page. If anyone has a second edition that they don't want, I'll happily swap for this "upgrade"...