MATH WITH NO MATH

Math is indeed hard, but studying it gives you an immense leg up on life, according to this self-helper.

Poirier aims his advice at the majority of teens who are not math whizzes but who can master the subject once they approach it in a structured way. He opens with his own story of struggling with math in high school thanks to laziness and disorganization, later immersing himself in it through focused study during his Marine Corps avionics training (he went on to an engineering degree and career in mechanical engineering). This history prompts his extensive treatment emphasizing the importance of learning math for high-paying STEM careers—and for many other purposes, too, such as avoiding being cheated in financial interactions, investing wisely, and generally doing one’s part to keep our math-dependent society from collapsing. At the book’s heart is Poirier’s learning system, which covers everything from creating an effective study environment (just textbook, notes and pencil; no music, smartphone, or distracting pets) to condensing course material into one-page study guides for tests. Poirier’s tome is less about learning math—there’s nary an equation present—than about learning to learn, which makes it relevant to many subjects. The text broadens into a motivational exhortation to achieve success, with the study of mathematics used as a template to prepare kids to think clearly and rationally, work through difficult tasks, meet goals through organized effort, and take responsibility for their lives. Poirier writes in pithy, aphoristic prose on the classroom experience. (“Be the class ‘nerd’ and disregard disparaging comments from the ‘cool’ or popular kids. You’ll figure out later in life that they were not cool.”) He also layers in hard-boiled wisdom from the real world. (“You don’t want to be caught with your pants down and living paycheck-to-paycheck.”) Lost students will find a useful road map here and a compelling rhetorical shove to get them moving.

A useful, no-nonsense guide to getting ahead in math and many other pursuits.