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A Field Guide to Lies and Statistics

A Neuroscientist on How to Make Sense of a Complex World

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About this listen

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of a Field Guide to Lies by David Levitin, read by Dan Piraro.

The bestselling author of The Organized Mind explains and debunks statistics in the information age

We live in a world of information overload. Facts and figures on absolutely everything are at our fingertips, but are too often biased, distorted, or outright lies. From unemployment figures to voting polls, IQ tests to divorce rates, we're bombarded by seemingly plausible statistics on how people live and what they think. In a world where anyone can become an expert at the click of a button, being able to see through the tricks played with statistics is more necessary than ever before. Daniel Levitin teaches us how to effectively ask ourselves: can we really know that? And how do they know that?

In this eye-opening, entertaining and accessible guide filled with fascinating examples and practical takeaways, acclaimed neuroscientist Daniel Levitin shows us how learning to understand statistics will enable you to make quicker, better-informed decisions to simplify your life.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

 Biological Sciences Physics Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Health

Critic reviews

Deservedly a bestseller (Independent on 'The Organized Mind')
Daniel Levitin's field guide is a critical thinking primer for our shrill, data-drenched age. From the way averages befuddle to the logical fallacies that sneak by us, every page is enlightening (Charles Duhigg, author of 'The Power of Habit' and 'Smarter, Faster, Better')
Dan Levitin has more insights per page than any other neuroscientist I know (Daniel Gilbert on 'The Organized Mind')
The world is awash with data, but not always with accurate information. A Field Guide to Lies does a terrific job of illustrating the difference between the two with precision-and delightful good humour (Charles Wheelan, author of 'Naked Economics')
Valuable tools for anyone willing to evaluate claims and get to the truth of the matter
Just as Strunk and White taught us how to communicate better, the Field Guide to Lies is an indispensable guide to thinking better. (Jasper Rine, Professor of Genetics, Genomics, and Development, UC Berkeley)
I could not put this book down. I am so impressed with Levitin's writing style, which is clear and simple, unlike much of the murky stuff that is written by statisticians and many others. (Morris Olitsky, former Vice President, Market Research and Analysis, Prudential Financial, Statistician, U.S.D.A.)
This is a wonderful book. It covers so many of the insights of science, logic, and statistics that the public needs to know, yet are sadly neglected in the education that most of us receive. (Edward K. Cheng, Tarkington Chair of Teaching Excellence and professor of law at Vanderbilt Law School)
Insightful and entertaining-an excellent work (Gregg Gascon, Biomedical Informatics, Ohio State University)
A valuable primer on critical thinking that convincingly illustrates the prevalence of misinformation in everyday life
All stars
Most relevant
Overall an entertaining listen and some decent reminders/pointers as to how we should scrutinize data more and not take at face value the volumes of information we're presented with everyday.
If you're looking to learn about statistics or analysis though then this isn't for you.

An entertaining listen

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The text is very repetitive and there is not much to gain after initial chapters.

Not much to learn

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This is a must read book for anyone who wishes to learn how statistics and other logical devices at our disposal can be used for both ends of an argument. The book provides good list of examples of usages on both sides of the argument.

A must read

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Definitely one of the top 10 books I have listened to recently. Well thought out and presented.

Ignore it at your own cost!

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Until this book I was easily duped into what I heard or read. This includes what I thought was well researched studies and journalism. This book cannot be more highly recommended in an age of fake news which is easily graphed or worded in a suggestive and believable manner even to the most sceptic and scrupulous indiciduals. If you want to think clearly and know the way stats and information is altered to induce credulity then this book is a must read. It is one of the best listens in a large repotoire

A must read

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