The focus of this book is the fundamental influence of the cyphering tradition on mathematics education in North American colleges, schools, and apprenticeship training classes between 1607 and 1861. It is the first book on the history of North American mathematics education to be written from that perspective. The principal data source is a set of 207 handwritten cyphering books that have never previously been subjected to careful historical analysis.
From the reviews:
"This book shows that the authors see it as opening the way for further study, and indeed they include very carefully thought out questions for further research. ... Other students of life in Colonial North America will also find this a 'must read' book ... . book is extensively referenced and represents a high level of scholarship. ... scholars of mathematics education and its history in North America will find this book a gold mine of information and questions for further research." (Robert George Stein, Educational Studies in Mathematics, Vol. 82, 2013)
"This book shows that the authors see it as opening the way for further study, and indeed they include very carefully thought out questions for further research. ... Other students of life in Colonial North America will also find this a 'must read' book ... . book is extensively referenced and represents a high level of scholarship. ... scholars of mathematics education and its history in North America will find this book a gold mine of information and questions for further research." (Robert George Stein, Educational Studies in Mathematics, Vol. 82, 2013)