I think it depends on what you want to achieve.<p>If you want to design algorithms, and not just reuse an algorithm from a catalog:<p>&quot;Introduction to Algorithms: A Creative Approach: Udi Manber&quot; Is very good.<p>If on the other you;re interested in a an extensive srvey of algo&#x27;s and data-sturcutres, see&quot;Algorithms and theory of computation handbook&quot;, by atallah. It has 2 volumes.