How to Make the World Add Up: Ten Rules for Thinking Differently About Numbers by Tim Harford
As a huge fan of More or Less, I was very excited to be given an ARC from Netgalley.
How to Make the World Add Up is a deeply aspirational book. It convincing advocates that numbers and statistics have world-altering powers. Harford wants a world where we all better understand what these numbers mean, how they are calculated and collected, and what if anything we should do about them.
Harford’s writing is full of humanity. He knows for laypeople these are complex and often messy topics but he tackles them with such good nature and humour you can’t help feel enthused. The rules themselves are straightforward enough to follow and the examples Harford uses throughout to illuminate his points are thought-provoking.
Harford like the best communicators makes you feel smart for understanding the concepts he is explaining. How to Make the World Add Up features some of the best storytelling he has ever done and I think he a must-read for everyone unsure about what numbers mentioned to prove a point actually mean.