How to Lie with Statistics

Darrell Huff — 1993

If you want to outsmart a crook, learn his tricks—Darrell Huff explains exactly how in the classic How to Lie with Statistics. From distorted graphs and biased samples to misleading averages, there are countless statistical dodges that lend cover to anyone with an ax to grind or a product to sell. With abundant examples and illustrations, Darrell Huff’s lively and engaging primer clarifies the basic principles of statistics and explains how they’re used to present information in honest and not-so-honest ways. Now even more indispensable in our data-driven world than it was when first published, How to Lie with Statistics is the book that generations of readers have relied on to keep from being fooled.

Reviews

Lamia Hajani@lamafoyomama

Aug 10, 2023

It bothered me that, since the book was written in 1954, several numbers did not apply anymore and made things harder to understand. However, the book itself was well-written, albeit hard to completely understand due to lack of in-depth explanation at times.

Anna@dara

Aug 25, 2022

Книге уже почти 70 лет, но актуальности она не потеряла и не потеряет, а примеры из 1950-х даже придают некоторый винтажный шик. Читается очень легко, а еще, что крайне ценно, в ней нет воды. Только рассказ о приемах, которыми пользуются, чтобы цифрами, графиками и пиктограммами "продемонстрировать" то или иное утверждение, и советы о том, как распознать обман в приводимой статистике.

Dana Kraft@dkatx

Aug 15, 2022

This book was published in 1954, but its lessons are still timely. That's either a credit to the author or an indictment of our society. A super-quick read.