Mr. Mlodinow has written a book about probability that is easy to understand and interesting to read. His main contribution to the general public's understanding is how streaks of success or failure (or even the sequence 1-2-3) could be random events. He explores how a lack of understanding of probability theory and randomness has affected both clinical and criminal trials.

Not to mention the famous (among probability lovers) "Monty Hall Problem", finally explained so that most people will understand why to switch doors if you ever find yourself on Let's Make a Deal. ( )

Mlodinow's latest book is a fun-to-read introduction to probability and statistics, viewed through the lens of randomness. It's very basic in its coverage of the topics, but fascinating nonetheless. ( )

Ok, I'm weird and the one of my favorite types of math has always been probability and statistics. So, this book was just a lot of fun to read.

I can't give it 5 stars for one reason. In one of the first chapters, the author describes a situation that is supposed to explain how even doctors make mistakes understanding probability. Looking up the actual article he references, he's right. But the way he words the problem in the book makes the doctors *possibly* correct. It bothered me enough to look up the article and to check with a friend of mine who's in the process of getting a math-related PhD.

It was really just sloppy wording, but I almost didn't bother reading the rest of the book because I was worried there'd be the same type of slip-up over and over again. AFAIK, there wasn't, though.

It drives me crazy when people can't seem to understand elementary stats and probability. I wish this book could be required reading for high school math! ( )

Those with little or no background in the study of probability will find Mlodinow’s book largely readable, reasonably amusing, and nominally educational. Those with more experience will not find much in The Drunkard’s Walk that they haven’t already encountered elsewhere, but it still makes an amusing diversion from more rigorous studies of probability and uncertainty - if one doesn’t dig too deeply.

Read the rest of the review. ( )

Increase your at bats if you want to succeed. This was fun to read and really may change the way you think about a lot of things. ( )