A Nice But Limited Primer on Statistics
3 stars
This book would more accurately be subtitled "The Power of Statistical Thinking" as that occupies most of the book - which is good! If you've taken a statistics class you'll pretty much know everything in this book, but otherwise it's a good introduction to fundamental concepts. I was disturbed how Ellenberger glossed over the eugenics-infused history of statistics and most of its early proponents, and there were a few less egregious political takes that have aged poorly. If you can get over that and need a basic statistics refresher, though, this book is a fine choice
This book would more accurately be subtitled "The Power of Statistical Thinking" as that occupies most of the book - which is good! If you've taken a statistics class you'll pretty much know everything in this book, but otherwise it's a good introduction to fundamental concepts. I was disturbed how Ellenberger glossed over the eugenics-infused history of statistics and most of its early proponents, and there were a few less egregious political takes that have aged poorly. If you can get over that and need a basic statistics refresher, though, this book is a fine choice