I think this is said every time Milnor is mentioned somewhere, but I'll repeat it anyway: the first few pages of _Morse Theory_ is some of the nicest mathematic

I think this is said every time Milnor is mentioned somewhere, but I'll repeat it anyway: the first few pages of _Morse Theory_ is some of the nicest mathematical writing I've seen anywhere. (The rest of the book is very good too.) _Topology from the Differentiable Viewpoint_ is likewise very clear and accessible.