I'm surprised no one has mention Mathematics for the Millions by Lancelot Hogben. http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Million-Master-Magic-Numbers/dp/039331071X/

I'm surprised no one has mention Mathematics for the Millions by Lancelot Hogben. http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Million-Master-Magic-Numbers/dp/039331071X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397347351&sr=8-1&keywords=lancelot+math http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Million-Master-Magic-Numbe... He takes the approach of starting right at the beginning of human history when we first came to look at the stars and seasons and try to understand why they work, and then builds the math knowledge with each lesson. Excellent book!