J. M. Pullan's "The History of the Abacus" provides a concise yet comprehensive account of this early calculating tool. Beginning with the ancient counting boards of the Greeks and Romans, the book traces the abacus's development and adoption across various cultures. It details the structural variations of the instrument, from simple marked boards to the more familiar framed versions with beads. Pullan explains the fundamental principles of abacus arithmetic, highlighting its crucial role in commerce and mathematical practices before the advent of modern computing. The book underscores the abacus's enduring significance as a practical and educational tool throughout history.