A Field Guide to Lies and Statistics
A Neuroscientist on How to Make Sense of a Complex World
Published on 1. February 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-0-241-97487-2 (ISBN)
Description
A guide to critical thinking in the 'post-truth' era, from the author of Sunday Times best-seller The Organized Mind
We live in a world of information overload. Facts and figures on absolutely everything are at our fingertips, but are too often biased, distorted, or outright lies. From unemployment figures to voting polls, IQ tests to divorce rates, we're bombarded by seemingly plausible statistics on how people live and what they think. Daniel Levitin teaches us how to effectively ask ourselves: can we really know that? And how do they know that?
In this eye-opening, accessible guide filled with fascinating examples and practical takeaways, acclaimed neuroscientist Daniel Levitin shows us how learning to understand statistics will enable you to make better, smarter judgements on the world around you.
We live in a world of information overload. Facts and figures on absolutely everything are at our fingertips, but are too often biased, distorted, or outright lies. From unemployment figures to voting polls, IQ tests to divorce rates, we're bombarded by seemingly plausible statistics on how people live and what they think. Daniel Levitin teaches us how to effectively ask ourselves: can we really know that? And how do they know that?
In this eye-opening, accessible guide filled with fascinating examples and practical takeaways, acclaimed neuroscientist Daniel Levitin shows us how learning to understand statistics will enable you to make better, smarter judgements on the world around you.
Reviews / Votes
In a post-truth world, Levitin's book is an invaluable primer on how to sort the fact from the fiction * Sunday Times * The world is awash with data, but not always with accurate information. [Levitin] does a terrific job of illustrating the difference between the two with precision and delightful good humour -- Charles Wheelan, author of Naked Economics Deservedly a bestseller -- Independent on 'The Organized Mind' Smart, important, exquisitely written -- Daniel Gilbert on 'The Organized Mind' The Organized Mind is the perfect antidote to the effects of information overload. Loved it. -- Scott Turow, New York Times bestselling author of 'Identical' and 'Innocent' on 'The Organized Mind' Daniel Levitin's field guide is a critical thinking primer for our shrill, data-drenched age. From the way averages befuddle to the logical fallacies that sneak by us, every page is enlightening -- Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit and Smarter, Faster, Better Valuable tools for anyone willing to evaluate claims and get to the truth of the matter * Kirkus Reviews * As a lucid guide to critical thinking about statistics, information and assertion it is profoundly welcome * Observer *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
215 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-241-97487-2 (9780241974872)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Daniel Levitin
A Field Guide to Lies and Statistics
A Neuroscientist on How to Make Sense of a Complex World
E-Book
09/2016
1st Edition
Penguin Books Ltd
€9.49
Available for download
Person
Dr. Daniel J. Levitin has a PhD in Psychology, training at Stanford University Medical School and the University of California, Berkeley. He is the author of the No. 1 bestseller This Is Your Brain on Music (Dutton, 2006), published in nineteen languages, and the bestsellers The World in Six Songs (Dutton, 2008) and The Organized Mind (Viking, 2014). Currently he is a James McGill Professor of Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience and Music at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.