This book is a few things: most of all, it is a history lesson in statistics and has lots of interesting tidbits and pieces of game theory thrown in. However, it is not a unified or deep look into how we actually behave, besides for citing numbers to support randomness was [probably] involved. Mlodiow brings up determinism and behavioral economics but gives both only a cursory treatment. The book was most valuable to me in pointing out the flaws in many assumptions we make unconsciously about people's successes or failures, and the common mistakes the experts make in basic statistics. In these regards, it was illuminating.

Part of the reason for owning a Kindle is that it will read my books to me during my commute, while I'm getting ready for work in the morning, etc. If an author / publisher decides not to allow this feature - that's fine - it's a free country BUT please disclose this up front so that buyers get suckered into buying something they cannot use.

Punish the Luddite behavior of the publisher. Do not buy this book, you are just enabling the discrimination against blind and reading disabled, and allowing the publisher to treat you like a criminal.

A DRUNKARD'S WALK is a cursory series of discussions of such everyday topics as gambling, DNA testing, box office gross receipts, and life expectancies. It is written in a breezy, witty style, salted with an entertaining sense of humor.

Mlodinow is at his best when talking about how randomness has affected the thinking of certain historical figures (Fermat, Pascal, Laplace), and also how fallacious thinking (and all the resulting harm) arises from our assumptions of the cause & effect linkage. "We should keep in mind that extraordinary events can happen without extraordinary causes" is his core statement that would pretty much sum up the focus of this book.

The premise here, if it can be called that, is that events are random, and thus outside of our perceived & wish-fulfilled realities. What it comes down to is Chance vs. Intuition, the latter usually ending up the loser.

Mlodinow makes the dry-as-dust subject of probability theory as interesting and insightful as might be possible. But this book is certainly not a primer, as some would have it. He talks about such mathematical concepts as regression to the mean & the law of large numbers and how they relate to everyday probabilities in a understandable way that is accessible for those of us that have almost no mathematical orientation.

"Probability is the very guide of life" said Cicero. And Mr. Mlodinow has done a decent job in exploring many of the probabilities that lurk throughout our everyday world.

Extracts: A Field Guide for Iconoclasts

The Cloud Reckoner

Parataxis

A well written and entertaining history of statistical thought & theory. Ultimately, its the last chapter that I enjoyed the most as the author encourages us to "identify and appreciate the good luck that we have and recognize the random events that contribute to our success". A great book on many different levels.