A review by juanupe13
How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking by Jordan Ellenberg

reflective slow-paced

4.5

 As a mathematician, I greatly enjoyed this book, even though it took me a considerable amount of time to finish.

The author explores a range of topics including politics, religion, gambling, economics, and especially justice, while discussing common mathematical pitfalls, their interpretations, and their consequences.
The examples chosen are excellent and speak for themselves. Additionally, the anecdotes are very interesting.

I discovered new insights about hypothesis testing in statistics, which I had not considered deeply before. This book has made me more cautious in using hypothesis tests in the future.
It's challenging to maintain formalism outside of mathematics, where many prefer quick results over precision. However, this book has prompted me to reflect on the difference between what is usually expected and what is the correct conclusion. I found several phrases so impactful that I plan to remember them for future reference.

The beginning of the book can be a bit overwhelming, the author's tone may come across as somewhat condescending at times, and the last chapters feel a bit repetitive. However, overall, it's a good book, suitable for your intellectual friends.

The only real drawback was the footnotes; sometimes they distracted me more than they contributed to the discussion.