Mathematical_Recreations-Kraitchik-2e

PREFACE
IN October, 1941, I was invited to give a course of lectures
at the New School for Social Research in New York City
on the general topic, "Mathematical Recreations." On
these lectures this book is based.
It may also be regarded as a revised edition of my similar
work, published in French, entitled, "La Mathematique
des Jeux" ("The Mathematics of Games").· The present
book is, in fact, better than a revised edition, since during
nine of the intervening years (1931-1939) I was editor of
Sphinx, a periodical devoted to recreational mathematics.
This experience has made it possible to bring many improvements
and much new material to the work.
Many individuals and organizations have assisted in making
it possible for me to write this book. It is my grateful
duty to thank them. If the reader likes this book he is in
debt to those listed below:
The United States of America, which, by opening its
doors for me, has deserved no small part of my thanks.
Mr. D. Heineman, who made it possible for me to come
to this country, which is now the refuge of so many scientists
of distressed Europe.
Dr. Alvin Johnson, Director of the New School for Social
Research, who made it possible for me to bring before an
American audience the results of my researches.
Mr. Donald A. Flanders, who has not only helped me to
adapt the expression of my thoughts to an unfamiliar idiom,
but has throughout embellished the book with the results
of his own reflections. Some of the material on magic
squares is due to him, particularly the methodical use of
lattices; and many other pages have benefited by his explanations.
• Brussels, Stevens, 1930.
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