Learning LaTeX

David F. Griffiths, now retired, originally trained as an applied mathematician and, after a brief spell at New York University, spent his academic career at the University of Dundee, specialising in the numerical solution of differential equations. He has published three books and over fifty scientific articles on differential equations. Griffiths was joint organising secretary of the Dundee Biennial Conferences on Numerical Analysis from 1983 to 2005. Desmond J. Higham is a numerical analyst at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. His research interests are in stochastic computation, network science and city analytics. He is a SIAM Dahlquist Prize winner, a SIAM Fellow and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

'Griffiths and Higham have updated their concise and example-filled LaTeX introduction to include bibliographies, posters, presentations slides, and essential online resources. The text is perfect for both the self-studier starting with the basics, and a short introductory course for students at any level.' Paul G. Constantine, Colorado School of Mines 'For years, my only system for training students [in] LaTeX has been to hand them a copy of Learning LaTeX and to tell them to start writing. This has worked without fail for dozens of students. I never would have thought it possible, but the new edition is a substantial improvement with the additional coverage of BiBTeX, Beamer, and posters. Learning LaTeX should be handed to new graduate students in mathematical sciences along with their office key and ID card.' Don Estep, Colorado State University 'Learning LaTeX is a wonderful, clear, short and simple introduction to LaTeX. It is particularly well-suited for undergraduate or postgraduate students in engineering, science and mathematics who would like to learn LaTeX quickly without reading lengthy works of reference. Readers should be ready to write their first LaTeX document within just a few hours. The material ... is well-structured and presented with many concrete and coherent examples ... A strength of the book is the appendix with concise samples of an article, a report, a presentation and a poster (the latter two are new features of the second edition). Should readers wish to do so, they can go straight to these samples and use them as templates for their own documents. A very comprehensive book and an easy read which I strongly recommended for both absolute beginners as well as for experienced users as a work of reference due to an excellent index.' Melina Freitag, University of Bath '... my favourite beginner's guide to LaTeX has been updated and improved and is as concise and fresh, and funny, as ever. It has been near my computer since its first release in the previous century. [Griffiths and Higham] ... will get you and your students up to speed with, as they correctly claim, 'a minimum of fuss', and great examples and handy templates.' Margot Gerritsen, Stanford University, California 'There is something for everyone - from LaTeX beginner to experienced LaTeXnicians - in this excellent and entertaining book. The examples are punchy and drive straight to the point to get people using LaTeX the way it was meant to be used. The authors highlight many small issues and typographical faux pas without preaching. Learning LaTeX is comprehensive and covers all of the elements of LaTeX that you are likely to encounter in the vast majority of standard use. I cannot imagine a better reference for anyone.' David F. Gleich, Purdue University, Indiana 'A quick-start guide for LaTeX beginners that will have readers off and TeX-ing in no time. Highly recommended for newbies, though veterans will also appreciate it as an essential reference. There are many examples throughout Learning LaTeX, and the appendices feature detailed examples of an article, a report, a beamer presentation, and a poster. Everyone will enjoy the light-hearted section 'LaTeX Through the Years'. Highly recommended as part of every professor's lending library and every student's essentials.' Tamara G. Kolda, Sandia National Laboratories

• Chapter 1: PreambleChapter 2: Basic LaTeXChapter 3: Typesetting MathematicsChapter 4: Further Essential LaTeXChapter 5: More About LaTeXAppendix A: A Sample ArticleAppendix B: A Sample ReportAppendix C: A Sample PresentationAppendix D: A Sample PosterAppendix E: Internet Resources.