Intended for undergraduate mathematics students and teachers, How it All Began provides an introduction to the history of various branches of mathematics, the lives of the mathematicians, and the challenges they faced—which helped lead them to their mathematical discoveries. Written in a slightly more technical style than typical histories of mathematics, this book brings the "characters" of mathematics to life while prompting analysis into the meaning and practice of their mathematical discoveries. How it All Began explores the great Greek legacy, Indian arithmetic, Integral Calculus, the Analytic Geometry of Rene Descartes, Differential Calculus, the Non-Commutative Algebra of Hamilton, the arithmetization of analysis, and the beginnings of Algebra.

Using a topical organization method, How it All Began is a perfect supplement to standard mathematics texts and classroom instruction focused on specific subject matter.