Start Doing Graph Theory

Start Doing Graph Theory is an open textbook written by Mikhail Lavrov that introduces graph theory as a practical skill rather than a purely abstract subject. The title signals its hands-on philosophy: readers are encouraged to work through problems and construct arguments from the first chapter instead of passively absorbing definitions.

The book covers the standard foundations of graph theory while weaving in puzzles that motivate each new idea. Proofs and theorem statements appear alongside those puzzles, so readers practice both informal problem-solving and formal mathematical writing. A table of contents, author information, and version history are provided, and the full text is available to read online or download as a PDF.

Because it is released under a Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0 license, the textbook can be freely read, shared, and adapted. This makes it useful for independent learners, undergraduate courses, and reading groups that want low-cost, flexible material.

Newcomers should begin with Chapter 1 and attempt the exercises before moving on, since later chapters build on earlier techniques. Instructors may find the puzzle-driven structure easy to assign as weekly problem sets. Overall, it is a concise and accessible starting point for anyone curious about graphs.