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|  | Author: Dawn Griffiths
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
List Price: $34.99
Buy New: $19.04
as of 11/23/2009 02:22 CST details
You Save: $15.95 (46%)
New (32) Used (14) from $4.99
Seller: umaxcos
Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 24876
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Edition: illustrated edition
Pages: 677
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.3
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 8 x 1.4
ISBN: 0596527586
Dewey Decimal Number: 519
EAN: 9780596527587
ASIN: 0596527586
Publication Date: September 4, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Slight bend in the front right corner.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 13
 Great idea, but has some major problems January 2, 2009
Samer T Ismail (Danbury, CT)
14 out of 17 found this review helpful
I was actually looking at statistics books for a relative who wanted to learn about statistics for his job.
While I have to commend the creators of this guide for an innovative approach, there are some major problems with the mathematics in the book. The worst example I can think of is that of Bayesian analysis (a very important concept, but a rather difficult one to understand). The example is confusingly presented, and, worse still, the method they give for solving the problem is simply wrong, and is actually solving a much simpler problem that does not even require this technique. Quite simply, I cannot understand how any person well-versed in statistics--let alone multiple people--could make errors of this magnitude; in the end, I couldn't justify spending the money for it.
A top pick for any collection seeking statistics references December 15, 2008
Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
For those who want more in-depth understanding equivalent of a lively course, choose Dawn Griffiths' HEAD FIRST STATISTICS. It's a powerful teaching tool based on 'brain savvy' research on learning methods, and it covers interactive, real-world statistics applications using graphics, popular topics such as sports analysis, and more to reinforce statistics concepts. Students will find it a stimulating, easy way to learn what is usually a dry topic. A top pick for any collection seeking statistics references.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Simply Brilliant! November 9, 2008
Mitchell Wheat (Australia)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I find writing reviews of the Head First series of books difficult. Not because they are badly written, or because they do not cover the subject matter well. It is simply that they are so good. So let me set the tone by saying: I challenge anyone to find a better book for learning basic probability and statistics!
Head First Statistics was written by a mathematician for non-mathematicians. The author and editors have obviously put in a great deal of effort to create something out of the ordinary. This book is clearly a labour of love, as it is a low effort and fun way to learn probability and statistics!
I studied Mathematics at University, and statistics was something I had little contact with until a first year introduction to the subject. This clear and simple book will take you painlessly from having absolutely no knowledge of probability and statistics, to a level commensurate with university entrance. It stops short of deriving the central limit theorem from first principles, but it will make you aware of what it is and show you how it can be applied. I gained a clear understanding of concepts I had merely glossed over at university over 20 years ago.
This is an interesting and engaging book, written in the Head First series' hallmark style (tells you how, but also shows you why). Even if you have absolutely no knowledge of statistics, it will not be a barrier to gaining an in-depth understanding of basic statistics from this book. I really enjoyed reading this book. Highly Recommended.
I did find a few spelling mistakes, and another reviewer on Amazon pointed out that there were a few mistakes in the exercises (I must confess I didn't work through every single one!).
Disclosure: a copy of this book was supplied by O'Reilly. I did not let that influence this review.
A well made book that is interactive AND informative November 5, 2008
Duc C. Nguyen
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
Let me start off by saying that I have used many student aiding books throughout my school year but I have never approached a book like this. I tend to stop reading a book if it is not interesting or just does not make sense. What I like about this book is that it teaches through the methods of interaction by putting you in a situation and having you solve problems that associate with the situation.
Also, I enjoy looking at the book illustrations because it allows me to focus on the situation and because some of them are amusing. I do not do well in statistics but thanks to this book, I actually understand the concepts and I can see the difference through my grades.
The only thing I could say about this book is that it would have been nice if the book included a bit more practice problems to practice with. But, overall I say that this is definitely a book worth buying if you are learning statistics.
Deviation from the Standard October 12, 2008
Brett Merkey (Palm Harbor, FL United States)
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
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Ok, I'm almost 250 pages into this 650 page Head First Statistics and my head is not hurting at all. I think that is a function of the brainwork and sweat that went into putting this book together. More than that really -- with Head First books I am always also impressed with the quantity of organizational effort brought to bear to distill so much creativity in content.
Statistics. We quote them or make them up every day. Many of us also work with them in one form or another. I intend to use this book not just as an expansion of skills but also as a form of self-defense. Our employers use fine bunches of stats to confuse us on how much our overall compensation is. Wall Street and The City use them to show how needful they are for a bailout. Election candidates are surely naked without them.
This book covers the full range of topics dealt with in first-year statistics. If only it really *were* the textbook used, statistics would be more firmly set as a common skill -- and Wall Street would be much more circumspect in how it pleads poverty.
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Showing reviews 6-10 of 13
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