Combinatorial enumeration is a readily accessible subject full of easily stated, but sometimes tantalizingly difficult problems. This book leads the reader in a leisurely way from the basic notions of combinatorial enumeration to a variety of topics, ranging from algebra to statistical physics. The aim of the author is to introduce readers to a fascinating field, and to offer a sophisticated source of information for the professional mathematician who wants to learn more about the subject. The book is organized in three parts: Basics, Methods, and Topics. There are 666 exercises, and as a special feature every chapter ends with a highlight section, discussing in detail a particularly beautiful or famous result.
"In this graduate textbook on enumerative combinatorics, the author follows the classic structure of basics-methods-special topics. ... Each chapter ends with a Highlight , which is a specific, high-level application of the material learned in that chapter. This will benefit instructors and interested students alike. ... the book will broaden access to several special topics and will turn them into more mainstream knowledge. The scope of the book is large, so most readers will find several sections that will teach them many facts, methods and theories." --Miklós Bóna, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2008 f
"The techniques one needs to be an expert in enumeration are very involved, sometimes quite genius. ... This book moves this important technique much closer to the classrooms than it used to be. ... The arguments throughout the book are very clear, many exercises are presented ... . This way the lecturers with talented audience will find many ideas how to hold out the beauty behind the dry techniques. We highly recommend this book for anyone related to enumeration ... ." --Péter Hajnal, Acta Scientiarum Mathematicarum, Vol. 74, 2008
"The book is divided into three parts ... . the structure and topics of this book are well-designed, and there are nearly 700 exercises sprinkled throughout many with hints and solutions in the back which make the book far more appealing. I think it would be a good ... textbook for any graduate student wishing to learn about enumerative combinatorics." --Darren Glass, MathDL, January, 2008