Delightful romp through some of the history of probability and statistics as it pertains to how our brains are wired to misinterpret odds. The book periodically suggests why evolution favored such wiring and how it benefits us in fast-act situations, and it tricks us in others.

Mlodinow frequently starts an interesting anecdote, only to jump to something else that is interesting and related so as to "bait" the reader who is eager to find out the answer and the rest of the story. After completing the related topic he then completes the original anecdote. I loved this! While it was maddening to not jump to finish the original anecdote, because I was so curious, I also enjoyed the excursions and had fun with this style.

I WILL read other of Mlodinow's books, based on my experience with this one.

For those of us that had statistics in high-school and college, this is a special treat, because it brings back memories of our studies (without the tedious math that turns some people off), but with particularly interesting real-world stories, such as the "Monty Hall" problem of a game show with 3 doors with two goats and a new car, each behind a different door. Suppose you pick one door, and before opening it the host opens another behind which is a goat. Should you switch doors? You should!

This doesn't usually make intuitive sense, but Mlodinow shows in a very clear and easily readable way why you should switch.
...but not until he explains some interesting related historical background... You are hooked!

And, for those wondering why some people make it big, while other similarly talented individuals go unnoticed, Mlodinow shows that usually just chance explains the discrepancy. Lest one feel that this is too fatalistic, he points out that hard work and preparations can increase one's odds for success. What about rankings of colleagues at work, done be many companies? Mlodinow shows that the usual sample sizes used to make the ranking render the results meaningless. (100 individuals is too small a sample size...)

All-in-all, a GREAT read! ( )

The Drunkard's Walk is not just a book about randomness, it is about math as well. It explains chance, and how we as humans naturally don't understand chance and how it works. We find random patterns where there are none, and see patterns where there is just randomness.

The book comes to it's point slowly, explaining everything with many examples. This makes it very understandable. However, sometimes I had the feeling I would have liked this to be a lecture so I could ask someone questions to make sure I understand everything correctly. Very nice book. ( )

Very clarifying--like a glass of cold water thrown on your face ( )

Excellent overview of randomness. Not really so much about how randomness rules our lives as about the history of mathematical concepts of randomness. Well written and entertaining.

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. ( )