Introduction

When I decided it was time to develop a more formal understanding of algorithms, I turned to Grokking Algorithms by Aditya Y. Bhargava, published by Manning Publications in 2016. This book consistently came up in online recommendations as an approachable, beginner-friendly introduction to algorithms, and that’s exactly what I was looking for—a bird’s-eye view of the subject without diving too deeply into technical details.

I wanted a foundational understanding of algorithms that I could build on, and this book sure delivered. With just 11 chapters, it’s concise yet comprehensive, making it an excellent starting point for anyone who is, like me, new to algorithms.

Structure and Content

The book begins with foundational topics, like binary search and an introduction to Big O notation—an essential concept for understanding algorithm efficiency. It then progresses to more complex algorithms, including quicksort, Dijkstra’s algorithm, and binary trees. The final chapter introduces a few advanced algorithms, inviting readers to explore further if they’re interested.

The exercises scattered throughout the chapters also stood out to me. These aren’t overly complex, but are thoughtfully designed to test your understanding of the material. As a beginner, I found them both manageable and effective in reinforcing the concepts presented.

Writing Style and Visuals

The writing style is one of the book’s greatest strengths. It’s simple, engaging, and approachable without being condescending. The author strikes a perfect balance between clarity and charm, making what could be a dry topic genuinely interesting.

The visuals, however, are the highlight. Each algorithm is paired with clear, inviting illustrations that help explain the logic behind the code. They’re not just decorative—they’re functional and informative. For example, the diagrams for binary trees were instrumental in helping me grasp the concept and its applications, such as encryption.

These visuals make it easy to “grok,” or intuitively understand, even the more abstract ideas. For someone like me, whose university days are long behind them and who never formally studied algorithms, this made the book feel accessible and unintimidating.

My Learning Experience

This book did an excellent job of demystifying algorithms for me, particularly the building blocks like binary search, quicksort, and Big O notation.

That said, I found the theoretical examples for certain algorithms, like breadth-first search and Dijkstra’s algorithm, a bit abstract. While the book explains the logic behind these algorithms effectively, I would have appreciated more real-world coding examples to see how these concepts translate into solving real-world problems. However, I understand that adding such examples would have made the book longer and likely beyond its intended scope.

Strengths of the Book

• Approacheability: The book is beginner-friendly and perfect for those new to algorithms.
• Clarity: The writing is straightforward and avoids unnecessary complexity.
• Visuals: The illustrations are charming, engaging, and extremely effective in clarifying complex concepts.
• Conciseness: At just 11 chapters, it’s short enough to be approachable but still covers a wide range of topics.

Weaknesses of the Book

• Limited Real-World Examples: While the theoretical explanations are excellent, beginners might struggle to see how to apply some algorithms in practical scenarios, such as using graphs to solve real-world problems.
• Focus on Theory Over Practice: The exercises are helpful but limited in scope. More hands-on practice might have enhanced the learning experience.

That said, these points aren’t so much weaknesses as they are reflections of the book’s purpose—it’s an introductory work, and diving deeper would likely go beyond its intended audience.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is ideal for beginners and students looking for a gentle introduction to algorithms. It’s especially helpful for those who find academic texts intimidating or overly complex. If you’re just starting your journey with algorithms or want to revisit the basics in a friendly way, this book is an excellent choice.

Final Thoughts and Rating

I genuinely enjoyed Grokking Algorithms. It was engaging, fun and the furthest thing from boring. Every chapter left me excited to learn more, and the time I spent reading it felt like a worthwhile investment. For me, it served as a perfect springboard into more advanced works, such as Introduction to Algorithms by MIT Press.

Overall, I give Grokking Algorithms 5 out of 5 stars. It achieves exactly what it sets out to do—introducing beginners to the world of algorithms in an accessible and enjoyable way. If you’re just starting to explore algorithms, I highly recommend giving this book a try.