Book review of Didattica della matematica by A. Baccaglini Frank, P. Di Martino, R. Natalini and G. Rosolini

In recent years, the Italian school system has undergone a radical process of evolution that is transforming it, necessitating urgent reflection on the training of mathematics teachers. The book under review aims at offering some basic tools for pedagogical research, which in our opinion is necessary but not sufficient. We believe that the scheme: “teacher training = mathematical contents equal to those for future researchers + a bit of teaching theory and history” does not work and must be replaced by a methodological, historical, formative and foundational integrated approach that focusses on specific, multiple and complex needs of future teachers, which are necessary so that they can securely play their fundamental and irreplaceable social role. To achieve, this it is necessary for researchers in mathematics education, historians of mathematics and mathematicians tout court to work together in an organic way with a view to training future teachers and developing suitable training courses.