Book excerpt: This book features interviews of 38 eminent mathematicians and mathematical scientists who were invited to participate in the programs of the Institute for Mathematical Sciences, National University of Singapore. Originally published in its newsletter Imprints from 2003 to 2009, these interviews give a fascinating and insightful glimpse into the passion driving some of the most creative minds in modern research in pure mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, economics and engineering. The reader is drawn into a panorama of the past and present development of some of the ideas that have revolutionized modern science and mathematics. This book should be relevant to those who are interested in the history and psychology of ideas. It should provide motivation, inspiration and guidance to students who aspire to do research and to beginning researchers who are looking for career niches. For those who wish to be broadly educated, it is informative without delving into excessive technical details and is, at the same time, thought provoking enough to arouse their curiosity to learn more about the world around them.