Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...
 We all know more than we think we do or not October 5, 2008
Christopher Jones (UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"We all know more than we think we do" is the first line of this book. The authors are reassuring the reader that there is no need to be afraid of numbers, despite how confusingly figures and statistics are often presented, particularly by politicians and the press. In terms of presenting numbers, this is about the meaning ascribed to numbers rather than how they are displayed visually.
But if we reverse that first line - "we think we know more than we do" - we are all guilty of that too. The many practical examples of how numbers are misinterpreted, both accidentally and deliberately, ring true with personal experience. Don't be afraid, be very afraid! However, this book isn't about beancounter-bashing but is an affirmation of the value of numbers when handled with care and humility.
This is a very simple book and anyone who studied economics or mathematics to a reasonable level will (think they) know it all. For the rest of us, this is catch-up time! Fortunately, there are hardly any numbers in the book and it is more about analysing real-life examples, including well-known news stories about climate change, speed cameras, school league tables, health scares and other topics. In that way, "The Tiger That Isn't" is in a similar vein to other recent popular economics books like Freakonomics or Fooled by Randomness, albeit less sensational than the former and more accessible than the latter.
The twelve chapters each show a different way to spot and avoid the abuse of numbers - there is a one page summary at the back of the book that is shorter and more informative than this review!
 So good, I could not put it down till the end. September 17, 2008
Rj Danton-rees (London UK)
Crystal clear, scandalous in places, a good read and a good laugh. It is true, as someone else said, that this book seems simple. But only after you have absorbed its ideas. Beforehand, you would swear this was an obscure and difficult subject. Afterwards, you wonder how anyone could find it a problem. It is one of those books that you just get, and once you get it, you lap it up and love it. What is most impressive is the way it weaves real life examples of junk numbers in politics or the media with mental images to show where they mess up and why. The only problem is that you will come away thinking politicians and the media are idiots, wondering how they get away with it, and you will be equipped with about 2 years of pub conversation you will not be able to resist.
everyone should read this April 12, 2008
K. Shaw (London)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
All journalists, reporters, politicans and anyone who deals with numbers in the public domain should be forced to read this book before starting their career. It would lead to a much more informed debate than the one we currently get. I write as a qualified statistician (and you certainly don't need to be that to understand this book). It superbly helps the reader disentangle the huge volume of statistics and numbers that they are bombarded with on a daily basis.
The only disappointment with the book was the fact that it didn't deal with the MMR controversy, which is an outstanding example of the misuse of statistics in an area of very real concern to many parents. But it remains an excellent buy.
Excellent, very accessible look at how numbers are misinterpreted April 6, 2008
BookWorm (UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book should be compulsary reading for... well, everyone. Don't be put off by that ominous word 'numbers' on the front cover. This might be a book about numbers, but the most maths phobic of readers has nothing to fear. It's written in a clear and accessible style, full of interesting and relevant examples from every day life, most of which are easily recognisable from recent news stories. There's no actual maths involved - it's a story about how numbers are presented (spun, if you like), and misinterpreted.
In a society where we are barraged with figures and statistics, it is important for us all to know when to believe and when - and how - to question the numbers we are presented by press and politicians. This accessible little book will change the way you read and think about the news, and is an engaging and enjoyable read in itself. No interest in or understanding of maths or statistics is necessary. I would particularly highly recommend it to anyone working journalism, politics or the public sector, or who has to meet targets or is numerically assessed in their work.
 Good for statistics beginners March 21, 2008
R. WOOD (Berkshire, UK)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book gives a gentle introduction into the statistical background to many newsworthy topics such as speed cameras, league tables and drug testing. There are no equations and the book can be read in a couple of hours. To those who are already familiar with concepts such as regression to the mean, skewed distributions and relative risks then the content may be too lightweight. I enjoyed the book but those looking for something more substantial should try "The Lady Tasting Tea . . ." by David Salsburg. You can find out more about the topics in the book by listening to the archive of BBC Radio 4's More or Less programme (the author is the creator of that radio series). The book is certainly aimed at the UK reader.
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