Proof

Adam Kucharski explains how certainty, even in math, can be an illusion -- Jennifer Szalai * New York Times *
Kucharski takes the reader on a fascinating tour of the history of what has counted as proof ... this book covers a lot of terrain [and] climbing the ladder of proof, we can enter a wild realm where intuitions break down completely -- Steven Poole * Wall Street Journal *
A profound and utterly absorbing exploration of the limits and power of proof and truth. Kucharski elegantly explores how proof is not just a mathematical concept but a vital tool in decision-making, justice, and survival -- Chris van Tulleken
Adam Kucharski has a knack of making complex problems sound simple - and exciting. A book that made me smile and feel clever -- Peter Frankopan
Excellent...Proof is a great guide to embracing this complexity in truth-seeking * New Scientist *
Illuminating ... This is a serious book by a serious person. It's full of gnarly theorems and concepts. But it's also a virtuosic look at the varied and sometimes amusing ways human beings have over the centuries used their intelligence to make sense of the world -- Leaf Arbuthnot * Daily Mail *
The case for better evidence in post-evidence times...a slice of the history of mathematics demonstrating that even logic can't deliver absolute truth -- Diane Coyle * Financial Times *
Shows how proof is more elusive than we realise, whether in law, science, policy or math * Bloomberg *
In his brilliant new book Proof, Adam tells the story of how nineteenth century thinkers began to challenge Euclid's self evident truths - and how this shaped the history of mathematics. It's a great read that covers many fields, including history, politics, statistics, computer science and epidemiology -- Alex Bellos
In an increasingly complex world, where we're beset by information, misinformation, and endlessly required to make decisions about it all, Kucharski shines a brilliant and clarifying light through the muddle. Proof is a puzzle-solver's delight; the essential guide we need to make sense of what and who to trust, and the risks therein -- Gaia Vince
A vivid, intelligent and wide-ranging book about how we know what we know. Adam Kucharski is a brilliant and entertaining guide -- Tim Harford
Kucharski explains why getting at the truth of just about anything is incredibly hard. There's fascinating technical detail here, and a moral: the more we appreciate how hard proof is to come by, the better we can bridge the widening gulf between experts and sceptics -- Simon Ings * New Scientist *
It's a difficult task to know anything for sure, but in Proof, Adam Kucharski explores what it even means to know, to believe and to convince. It's fascinating, it's insightful and, best of all, it's accessible. -- The Best Science and Technology Reads of 2025 (So Far) * B&N Reads *
Praise for The Rules of Contagion: 'An eye-opening read, a worthwhile book * Sunday Times *
A clear, calm, historical overview of the mathematical ideas at the forefront of our pandemic response, where they came from and how well they stand up when you put them to the test. -- Hannah Fry * Guardian *
Charts the history of this now-pivotal science, from its origins in understanding the spread of malaria, to its central role in predicting the dissemination of everything from diseases to fake news. * Economist *
Astonishingly bold...Kucharski has pulled off the extraordinary trick of shining the brightest light on this unseen, menacing, but ultimately beatable, enemy. * Daily Mail *
As a prominent UK epidemiologist, Kucharski became a hero to some and villain to others for his evidence-based views on the Covid-19 pandemic. The experience led him to write this excellent book about proof, uncertainty and - very importantly - how to communicate scientific evidence to the public as clearly and convincingly as possible -- Clive Cookson * FT Best Summer Books of 2025 *