3.0 out of 5 stars
Probably a Good Book for the Brilliant
July 31, 2005
While in college almost 25 years ago, I vowed never again to read a book that talks about pulling balls from urns: i.e., no more probability books. But, since this book is used in a required course for a degree program I was reading through (Florida State University's (FSU's) STA 4442: "Introductory Probability I" course, required for their Computer Science degree), I decided to try the subject again. I should have listened to myself and stayed away. I managed to get through the first four chapters before having to put the book away. There are just too many assumptions of knowledge and leaps of logic over vast quantities of missing steps for me to work my way through the book on my own. This is especially bad, since the Preface states:
"This book is intended as an elementary introduction to the theory of probability for students in mathematics, statistics, engineering, and the sciences (including computer science, the social sciences and management science) who posses the prerequisite knowledge of elementary calculus."
The first use of that word, "elementary," above, definitely doesn't belong there. Also, I shudder to think of the reaction of people in the social and management sciences who end up in a course using this book. On a more constructive note, I'd add to the prerequisites a *heavy* grounding in discrete math.
To add a bit more information to the raw data of these reviews, I've mapped the universe of all possible readers of this book onto a set of x-y axes. Let the x-axis run from "non-Math-types" up through "Math-types." Let they y-axis go from "non-geniuses" up through "geniuses:"
- Quadrant I: genius Math-types. This group, along with the Quadrant IIs, has a chance at getting something useful out of the book. It's fairly evenly divided between theory and application, but I'd say the emphasis appears to lean slightly towards using probability theory over proving it (only slightly, mind you). Everything, however, starts out with the theory and with proofs. The problem is that the proofs are missing the majority of their steps and require quite a bit of mathematical knowledge and bashing one's head onto the table to get through. Quadrant Is will probably have the least trouble with this.
- Quadrant II: genius non-Math-types. Like the Quadrant Is, above, these people have a chance at getting something useful out of the book. Though there is quite a bit of theory present, it's also coupled with quite a lot of applications via the examples (several for each theoretical blurb). Since there are so many steps missing from both the proofs and the examples, those on the "genius" side of the coordinate system are the ones most likely to have a chance at forcing themselves through the material to actual understanding.
- Quadrant III: non-genius non-Math-types (i.e., "normal" people). This group is going to have a lot of trouble with this book. With a good professor or knowledgeable person nearby, they might be able to work through the assumptions and gaps in the material (with a lot of effort). But, in general, this book is really not for them. The large number of examples will help, but won't be sufficient.
- Quadrant IV: non-genius Math-types. This group falls into the same boat as the Quadrant IIIs: the book's not for them. Though their math predilection might give them a moderate advantage in working out what the author is trying to do, they're still going to have trouble working through the proofs with all their missing steps.
This book is really only suitable for either genius Math-, or genius non-Math-types. I'd recommend that anyone who doesn't read through mathematics like fish swim through the sea avoid it. With a professor handy to fill in the gaps the author leaves, the book might be acceptable to us mortals. But, for those on their own, there's no way they'll get through. Because of the mismatch between the audience the Preface lays out and the way the text is written, I rate this book at 3 stars out of 5.