Amazon.com: "There is terror in numbers," writes Darrell Huff in How to Lie with Statistics. And nowhere does this terror translate to blind acceptance of authority more than in the slippery world of averages, correlations, graphs, and trends. Huff sought to break through "the daze that follows the collision of statistics with the human mind" with this slim volume, first published in 1954. The book remains relevant as a wake-up call for people unaccustomed to examining the endless flow of numbers pouring from Wall Street, Madison Avenue, and everywhere else someone has an axe to grind, a point to prove, or a product to sell. "The secret language of statistics, so appealing in a fact-minded culture, is employed to sensationalize, inflate, confuse, and oversimplify," warns Huff.
Although many of the examples used in the book are charmingly dated, the cautions are timeless. Statistics are rife with opportunities for misuse, from "gee-whiz graphs" that add nonexistent drama to trends, to "results" detached from their method and meaning, to statistics' ultimate bugaboo--faulty cause-and-effect reasoning. Huff's tone is tolerant and amused, but no-nonsense. Like a lecturing father, he expects you to learn something useful from the book, and start applying it every day. Never be a sucker again, he cries!
Even if you can't find a source of demonstrable bias, allow yourself some degree of skepticism about the results as long as there is a possibility of bias somewhere. There always is.
Read How to Lie with Statistics. Whether you encounter statistics at work, at school, or in advertising, you'll remember its simple lessons. Don't be terrorized by numbers, Huff implores. "The fact is that, despite its mathematical base, statistics is as much an art as it is a science." --Therese Littleton
Great title - and very factual This brief book, written in 1954, is quite appropriate even for today. It shows how people make statistics to be what they want the interpretation to be. That is to say, it shows how people are swindled with numbers. There are, indeed, too many lies in numbers. Politicians, business leaders and the Press are very good at the tricks of twisting numbers. As Mr. Darrell Huff submits (p.9), "The crooks already know these tricks, honest men should learn them in self defense." This book will be a g great read, for those that want to be educated. (Nwankama W Nwankama)
Classic introduction to the topic This is a classic introduction to the language of statistics and how a few well placed numbers/graphs/terms can distort reality. I use this as a supplementary reading for my undergrad students and they love it. It helps to clarify why language, numbers, and representations are so dangerous.
An entertaining and informative look at how statistics can be mis-used! It is really about how to catch when statistics are being mis-used. I first read the book when I was in high school and it had first been printed. It helped me. I still give this book as a present to the high school students in my family.
I recommend this for those in high school, especially those who are math adverse. The book helps create critical thinking skills and how to avoid many deceptions.
very popular account of how statistics can be misused Statisticians hate the old adage "Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics", but statistical methods do have that reputation with the general public. There are many excellent accounts, some even understandable to laymen that explain the proper ways to analyze, study and report the analysis of statistical data. Huff's famous account is illustrative and well written. It gives the average guy a look at how statistics is commonly misused (either unintentionally or deliberately) in the popular media. Graphical abuses are particularly instructive. Readers should recognize that statistical methods are scientific and with proper education anyone should be able to recognize the good statisticians from the charletons. For now Huff's book is still a good starting place. As a statistician I hate the public image portrayed in the quote above. However, I do sometimes have fun with it myself. As I write this review I am in my office wearing a sweatshirt that reads "When all else fails manipulate the data."
A modern book by a consulting statistician on the same topic is "Common Errors in Statistics and How to Avoid Them" by Phil Good. If you enjoy this book take a look at Good's book also.
Life Changing Book I purchased and read this book in 1957 at the age of 10. Forty one years later, I can say it was truly one of the most influetial books I've ever read. At the impressionable age of 10 and with a bent toward mathematics, it helped me learn how to "play" with numbers. A successful career later, I look back and wish I could thank Darrell Huff personally.
It's obviously not a text book on statistics, but it is an eye-opener for the young and hungry.
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