The essence of this work is that anyone can do calculus. Moreover, since the fools that are university professors can do it, so can you or I. The book begins with an amusing prologue about the stupidity of the mathematical teaching establishment and how it likes to show off with its amazing ability by portraying calculus as a difficult art. The author had to 'unteach himself the difficulties' and undertakes to explain them as clearly as possible. And that he does. From personal experience, before reading this book my maths grades were in the toilet - almost immediately after I read and understood it, my grades trebled. This is because the book is the best explanation of calculus I have ever seen or heard of. This was also the favourite of an eminent American physicist who read this book himself, and went on to win the Nobel Prize in 1965. The concepts are reduced to their bare (understandable) bones, and built up again leading to some great understanding of the calculus, and a confidence to approach mathematics. This book really is a MUST for all A-level students of maths - you may as well throw your textbooks in the bin. Good work Mr. Thompson!!!