How to Make the World Add Up
Ten Rules for Thinking Differently About Numbers
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How to Make the World Add Up
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Narrated by:
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Tim Harford
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By:
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Tim Harford
About this listen
The Sunday Times best seller.
When was the last time you read a grand statement, accompanied by a large number and wondered whether it could really be true? Statistics are vital in helping us tell stories - we see them in the papers, on social media and we hear them used in everyday conversation - and yet we doubt them more than ever.
But numbers - in the right hands - have the power to change the world for the better. Contrary to popular belief, good statistics are not a trick, although they are a kind of magic. Good statistics are not smoke and mirrors; in fact, they help us see more clearly. Good statistics are like a telescope for an astronomer, a microscope for a bacteriologist or an X-ray for a radiologist. If we are willing to let them, good statistics help us see things about the world around us and about ourselves - both large and small - that we would not be able to see in any other way.
In How to Make the World Add Up, Tim Harford draws on his experience as both an economist and presenter of the BBC's radio show More or Less. He takes us deep into the world of disinformation and obfuscation, bad research and misplaced motivation to find those priceless jewels of data and analysis that make communicating with numbers worthwhile. Harford's characters range from the art forger who conned the Nazis to the stripper who fell in love with the most powerful congressman in Washington, to famous data detectives such as John Maynard Keynes, Daniel Kahneman and Florence Nightingale. He reveals how we can evaluate the claims that surround us with confidence, curiosity and a healthy level of scepticism.
Using 10 simple rules for understanding numbers - plus one golden rule - this extraordinarily insightful book shows how if we keep our wits about us, thinking carefully about the way numbers are sourced and presented, we can look around us and see with crystal clarity how the world adds up.
(Published in the US as The Data Detective.)
©2020 Tim Harford (P)2020 Hachette Audio UKCritic Reviews
"If you aren't in love with stats before reading this book, you will be by the time you're done. Powerful, persuasive, and in these truth-defying times, indispensable." (Caroline Criado Perez, author of Invisible Women)
"...lucid, witty and authoritative.... Every politician and journalist should be made to [listen to] this book, but everyone else will get so much pleasure and draw so much strength from the joyful way it dispels the clouds of deceit and delusion." (Stephen Fry)
"Tim Harford is one of my favourite writers in the world. His storytelling is gripping but never overdone, his intellectual honesty is rare and inspiring and his ability to make complex things simple - but not simplistic - is exceptional. How to Make the World Add Up is another one of his gems. If you're looking for an addictive pageturner that will make you smarter, this is your book." (Rutger Bregman, author of Humankind)
What listeners say about How to Make the World Add Up
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Luisa
- 19-10-2020
Certainly delivered on the Title
An entertaining and useful insight on how statistics can enhance my understanding of the world. Some useful observations and suggestions too.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Ben Schmiga
- 27-04-2023
Excellent
The background in journalism shines in this book. Many well written passages and good examples. I took off a star since I'd held it up to a standard of another similar book I just finished, but this still gets a strong recommendation.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Paul
- 06-07-2021
A great manifesto for active curiosity
You will get a lot out of this if you're curious and open minded. 👍🏼
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 26-08-2022
Fun easy interesting listen
Nice and slowly articulated and explained even for a numpty like me. Made me more organized and critical in my every day thinking and approach. It did what it promised and made lots of things add up.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 20-09-2020
A 10 hour episode of More Or Less.
A handy book for fans of BBCs More Or Less and also NPRs Planet Money. Also suitable for fans of No Such Thing As A Fish.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Tom
- 20-02-2022
Fuelled the fire of curiosity
Another fantastic exploration of the world by Tim. Brought statistics to life and took us on a journey of how different people throughout history have grappled with the truth and their own biases. Highly recommend the 10 rules for approaching any statistical claim in the future.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- JohnG
- 11-12-2023
Asking “Why?”
Loved the book. Well read by the author himself. Gives much pause to think. Very well written.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 28-11-2020
Amazing
A great and we'll structured book read by the calm and soothing voice of the author. I always prefer when the author reads their books anyway.
There's a lot to love about it, 10 clear rules with interesting and engaging examples and cars to go with it. it's succinct, mind opening and a well crafted work.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jaz
- 30-08-2021
Loved it - great anecdotes and thought
Really entertaining and thoughtful storytelling of what could be a dull subject. Concepts explained clearly and backed up with interesting examples. Enjoyed it more than 'Calling Bullshit'. Also loved Tim Harford's narration.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Josh Button
- 27-09-2022
Be Curious
10 rules to guide you statistically. Overall pretty good. Some of the examples are fascinating. Although a few times I found myself rewinding to listen again because my mind had wandered away from the narrator. Good performance from Tim Harford. Podcasters tend to narrate books well.
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