The Art of Computer Programming, Vol. 1: Fundamental Algorithms, 3rd Edition by Donald Knuth

The bible of all fundamental algorithms and the work that taught many of today's software developers most of what they know about computer programming. –Byte, September 1995 I can't begin to tell you how many pleasurable hours of study and recreation they have afforded me! I have pored over them in cars, restaurants, at work, at home... and even at a Little League game when my son wasn't in the line-up. –Charles Long If you think you're a really good programmer... read [Knuth's] Art of Computer Programming... You should definitely send me a resume if you can read the whole thing. –Bill Gates It's always a pleasure when a problem is hard enough that you have to get the Knuths off the shelf. I find that merely opening one has a very useful terrorizing effect on computers. Read more