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The Norm Chronicles

Stories and numbers about danger
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( 560 ratings, 80 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Norm Chronicles, authored by David Spiegelhalter and Michael Blastland, explores the concept of risk through the experiences of an everyman character, Norm. The book delves into how people perceive and handle various risks in everyday life, blending statistics, anecdotes, and humour to make sense of the probabilities and dangers we encounter. It offers a compelling and informative journey into understanding the science and nature of risk without overwhelming the reader.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by understanding risk and probability in everyday life, as it combines statistical insights with engaging storytelling. It's an appealing read for those curious about how numbers influence our decisions and who enjoy a blend of science and humour.

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A far from average book: the real story behind the statistics on risk, chance and choice.

A far from average book: the real story behind the statistics on risk, chance and choice. Now in paperback.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Meet Norm. He's 31, 5'9", just over 13 stone, and works a 39-hour week. He likes a drink, doesn't do enough exercise, and occasionally treats himself to a bar of chocolate (milk). He's a pretty average kind of guy. In fact, he is the average guy in this clever and unusual take on statistical risk, chance, and how these two factors affect our everyday choices.

Watch as Norm (who, like all average specimens, feels himself to be uniquely special), and his friends, careful Prudence and reckless Kelvin, turn to statistics to help him in life's endless series of choices โ€” should I fly or take the train? Have a baby? Another drink? Or another sausage? Do a charity skydive or get a lift on a motorbike?

Because chance and risk aren't just about numbers โ€” it's about what we believe, who we trust, and how we feel about the world around us. From a world expert in risk and the bestselling author of The Tiger That Isn't, this is a commonsense (and wildly entertaining) guide to personal risk and decoding the statistics that represent it.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Norm Chronicles is praised for its fascinating approach to making sense of everyday statistics, combining wit and illumination. Critics find it fast-paced and engaging, particularly in how it addresses risk and decision-making in daily life with both depth and accessibility. The book is acclaimed as essential reading for those curious about the implications of statistical odds in ordinary activities.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781846686214

Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 June 2014

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Profile Books Ltd

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 233g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Michael Blastland is an author, journalist, and BBC Radio 4 broadcaster.He co-authored, with Andrew Dilnot, Profile's best-selling The Tiger that Isn't [9781861978394]. David Spiegelhalter OBE is Winton Professor of the Public Understanding of Risk in the Statistical Laboratory, University of Cambridge. He is a fellow of Churchill College, Cambridge and the Royal Society.

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