Graph Theory for Dummies Book

Question

Does anyone have a good book on Graph Theory that will introduce me to some of the basic concepts without being so filled with terminology that it's hard to read? I have taken an introductory course (that had no book) and I struggled through it but didn't learn what I should have. I am now a graduate student taking a graduate Graph Theory course (again with no book) and would like a book that can help me develop a stronger base of the beginner topics on my own.

I really would like to stress that the more readable the text is the better it will be for me. Also something with a lot of examples.

Thank you!

Answer 1

Bollobas' "Modern graph theory" is very nice. Would not call it a "for dummies" book, though.

Answer 2

Permit me to recommend Pearls in Graph Theory:

Hartsfield, Nora, and Gerhard Ringel. Pearls in Graph Theory: a Comprehensive Introduction. Courier Corporation, 2013. (Dover link.)

---

         

---

Here is an excerpt from an enthusiastic review by Joan Hutchinson:

Pearls in Graph Theory begins informally and at an elementary level, suitable for a substantial freshman-sophomore course. After intuitive introductions, concepts and theory are developed with increasing depth, leading into material for a good intermediate-level course. Included also are appropriate open conjectures...

Incidentally, it is only \$10-\$20.

Answer 3

There is a free book available online by Diestel, and it's very readable. I used it when I taught an undergraduate course last year. Tons of examples to make the definitions clear:

http://diestel-graph-theory.com/

Answer 4

I'm very fond of Trudeau, Dots and Lines. It has been reissued as Introduction To Graph Theory, a much less inviting title.