An excellent primer on data science, 'Getting Started with Data Science: Making Sense of Data with Analytics' by Murtaza Haider is both an ideal starting point for beginners and a valuable reference for seasoned Data Analytics enthusiasts. Highly recommended for anyone embarking on a Data Science journey.
I have already recommended this book to several friends and colleagues.
Professor Murtaza covers the fundamentals of doing data science and analytics, but most importantly, he never compromises on his core philosophy: data science is fundamentally about telling a story, and numbers without a story are just a spreadsheet no one reads. If you want your analysis to matter, to be read and considered, tell the story.
Considering a degree or career in data science? If so, this book will test your commitment. It offers a textbook like intro to R programming, probability and statistics. If you aren't comfortable working through this book, you may want to consider a different field.