The Lady Tasting Tea: How Statistics Revolutionized Science in the Twentieth Century Kindle Edition

This book concerns the (fairly) recent evolution of the field of statistics, to become a major factor in science and applied science. The author discusses this for the nonmathematician by elaborating on some of the biographies of prominent people in statistics, both theoretical and applied. He lucidly discusses the math without formulas by using intuitive ideas, but his description of the mathematics (which is central to statistics) amounts at certain points to “name dropping”. Nevertheless, he displays, overall, an interesting point of view on statistics from someone who has worked in the field, and thought about the nature of the field. I recommend this book especially to beginners who have some background in statistics, and want to be exposed to some of the real excitement of this field as it has grown to influence many areas and seems, in many respects, to be inherently multidisciplinary. His perspective is that of someone who has some very deep exposure to the field, and is able not only to write in an interesting fashion, but also critique some of the ideas he presents and seriously discuss some of the limitations of statistics, as he sees them. His direct view is that statistics has made revolutionary advances, and he is able to be fairly convincing, despite the fact that he has written specifically for non-mathematicians. Nevertheless, his broad viewpoint should be of interest to many mathematicians as well.

A wonderful romp through the statistical methods and their practitioners of the twentieth century. There is a concerted effort to NOT include math notation or heavy lifting - this will not replace a stats textbook, it is decidedly and avowedly not meant to. Instead, intuition and philosophy of these advances are summarized. I am sure that my familiarity with the math helped, but I don't think it was necessary to understand the book. In fact, the Confidence Interval being process not number is the best way I have ever heard that put. I have a way to say it and I can only say it that way to be sure that I haven't flipped the meaning. This was a great example of how Salsburg takes big concepts with lots of math and explains them in intuitive ways. More than that though he makes these names from tests and bootstraps and whatnot and makes them real live people with stories and ambitions. There is also a great sense of the personal - statisticians need to interact with their data - you cant make a good valid clear model if you have no idea what the data really mean. Great lesson for everyone.

This book was hard for me to put down. It is not a how-to book. Instead, it addresses the very foundations of statistics. As a practitioner but relative novice in the sophisticated use of statistics, I was stunned and frankly thought it ironic that there is so much uncertainty in the appropriate use, usefulness and meaning of statistics. It played with my mind on what is real in science. The history of the statistical revolution he describes is fascinating as personalities, perceptions and interpretations clash across the years. It should provide valuable insight to those whose work depends on the appropriate use and interpretation of statistics. But the book must cause them pause as the author concludes in the final paragraph, "the statistical revolution in science stands triumphant...[but]...it stands triumphant on feet of clay."

An enjoyable book which created some consternation for me in pondering the issues raised. I was intrigued by an American author spending a considerable time focussing on English and indeed European contributions to Statistics. I do agree with another comment that the real audience that he is targetting is probably non-existent. The novice statistician would find the book slightly dissatisfying as more rigour should be introduced (and it could be done very effectively with considerable more diagrams but I guess this costs considerably more). On the other hand, the neophyte who has minimal knowledge of stats would struggle with gaining a good understanding of the concepts raised. Hence, I as someone who has dabbled in stats (mainly from an engineering and scientific background) found the book a little dissatisfying. However, I know how hard it is to write this type of book so my warmest felicitations to the warm hearted author on his incredible efforts in putting together a great tome.

Mostly useful for the biographies of these historical figures. Do not expect full explanations of the mathematics. I found the descriptions of the relationships between the characters to the very useful. Also, at times the author recounts anecdotes from meetings he had with the mathematicians (e.g., Chester Bliss). These are interesting and revealing, but do not expect sociological rigor here (the author isn't from that field, after all). I've read some sections several times and was able to use some of these anecdotes in class.

As a professional statistician, I gained a deeper understanding of underlying philosophical aspects of probability and how it affects our everyday decision-making process. I also learned that applied statistics was one of the suppressed research fields in the country of Kolmogorov where I grew up, and how it affected the future development not only of other scientific disciplines, but the economic prosperity, or should I say lack of it. It is disheartening that the country with enormous intellectual potential and talent was not able to capitalize on it.The most captivating part of the book were stories of great scientists who contributed to the field. It is humbling and inspiring, at the same time encouraging to know the immense value of analytical probing and desire to get to the root of things.Statistics' potential is changing so many fields, from baseball to quantum physics - Qbism, or Quantum Bayesianism. I wonder - who and when will write a sequel on how statistics revolutionized science in the 21st century? I hope it'll be in my lifetime.

Interesting book; brings all the great names to life. Makes you think about things we consider settled, but are not so sure at all.

Excellent! Got it on time

It is easy to read a kind of novel that describes the evolution of the statistics during the 19th century via the life and the achievements of the most important scientists of the area. Excellent book

Any book which can make statistics theory entertaining deserves my positive vote.Excellent little, I suggest it to novice and also experts.

I love to know about the persons and the situations "behind" statistical findings, and I can use the stories in my teaching.