The first two pages of the preface provided a quick overview of what algorithms are and how the book would be approaching the discussion of algorithms. It discussed how algorithms are more than sets of steps to solve problems and are instead a way to view computer science. It mentioned how algorithms are not always neat and straightforward but rather require a lot of complex thinking. Finally the preface outlined the books goal: viewing algorithms as a design process during which we identify the problem we need to solve and then developing a solution to this problem. It explained that while it would not always take the most direct route to the solution, it would take the route that would best explain how the solution was found. The motivations of this section were to explain how the book would be approaching the tricky subject of algorithms and how they are developed. This section was straight forward. I found it very easy to read and understand which was a positive sign considering I will have to read a lot of the book! I would rank this section as an 7 as it was not the most interesting but it was easy to read.