How to Lie with Statistics
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3.9 • 103 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
If you want to outsmart a crook, learn his tricks—Darrell Huff explains exactly how in the classic How to Lie with Statistics.
From distorted graphs and biased samples to misleading averages, there are countless statistical dodges that lend cover to anyone with an ax to grind or a product to sell. With abundant examples and illustrations, Darrell Huff’s lively and engaging primer clarifies the basic principles of statistics and explains how they’re used to present information in honest and not-so-honest ways. Now even more indispensable in our data-driven world than it was when first published, How to Lie with Statistics is the book that generations of readers have relied on to keep from being fooled.
Customer Reviews
See AllStill Relevant
Albeit the examples are a bit out-of-date, this remains an amusing read if nothing else. The author, Darrell Huff, poses that we should all be wary of what we read as fact, particularly when statistics are being used to support the arguments at hand. This is especially relevant today when statistics are thrown about more freely than salt at a Sumo match.
It would have been nice to see the author provide more positive examples of how statistics could be used to better effect. And it would be really interesting if someone would update this with current examples of how Big Data Analytics are being misused.
Read this book and you’ll be better prepared for your next cocktail party political debate...
Statistics for People Bad at Math
"How to Lie With Statistics" is a great book about the many incorrect things that can be easily "proven" with mathematics, and how you can avoid falling for it. The real strength of the book is that it gets it's point across with simple terms and examples that most non-mathematicians will be able to easily follow. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in taking a more critical look at our world from a numerical perspective, but wants to do it without an advanced degree.
nice book
good reading