Why there is no Hitchhiker’s Guide to Mathematics for Programmers
I don't know about the OP's point on the value of proof to programmers. I do optimization and machine learning, and I use all kinds of math on a regular basis. But I don't prove things, and rarely need to follow someone else's proof either. You can get a lot out of applied math without touching a proof.  And if it isn't applied, then you really don't need it ;-).I agree there is value in learning how to read math notation, so there is a valid point in there somewhere.