Could someone recommend a good maths research book that covers the whole messy discovery process, rather than just the end result? I don't mind in which field,

Could someone recommend a good maths research book that covers the whole messy discovery process, rather than just the end result? I don't mind in which field, and it's fine if it's quite formal (not looking for pop science). But it would be good if it is relatively self-contained (doesn't require too much prior knowledge, it establishes some foundations and builds from them). I'm a fan of On Numbers and Games by Conway for instance, and the more literary Surreal Numbers by Knuth (written earlier but inspired by Conway's research before publication).