This book presents a very readable account of important concepts, methods and results fundamental to the science of computing. "A wonderful introduction to algorithms and complexity theory"
I read this book when I was 14, and it was for me the introduction to computer science, (and anything related to programming).
I think if you don't know anything about computer science, but you like mathematics, and want to know what is an algorithm, you will find this book to be fascinating, and great introduction to computer science and algorithmic thinking.
Skimmed out of interest, fairly solid introduction to algorithmics, doesn't rely too heavily on previous or technical knowledge. Would recommend to a beginner.
A thing of beauty: an attempt at a work of computer science that doesn’t date. It's general abstract introductory matter. The field is hugely consequential: different algorithms for the same task can differ in performance by a factor of trillions.
Bible quotations book-end each chapter and give this a frisson of something other.
A good book with good substance about the Algorithm field and the chapters about Probabilistic Algorithms and Algorithmics and Inteligence is a good reference to start.