A review by shourya_roy
Whole Numbers and Half Truths by Rukmini S
4.0
In the world of artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, descriptive reporting of data has become so passe. Everyone wants to predict the future but no one wants to look at the past. The book “Whole Numbers and Half Truths” by Rohini S. is a glowing example of data-based storytelling and how to engage your readers and audience by telling stories and insights from what has happened in the past. The author takes a deep dive into various facets of Indian culture and ecosystem based on data collected from various databases, surveys, censuses, and so on. The various chapters focus on crime, electoral preferences, behavior and lifestyle, etc. of Indians at large. While unimaginative people would have presented them with tables and charts, she presented stories by complementing them with commentaries and testimonies from real people. Through the book, she brings forward many misreading of data and misleading stories about India.
Very insightful and a pleasure to read. Occasionally it gets boring (after all raw data is boring) but hang on and she has a page-turner incident on the next page! Overall 4 on 5!
[This is the original article that led me to this book https://www.firstpost.com/india/rukmini-s-whole-numbers-and-half-truths-pushes-back-against-misreading-of-data-misleading-stories-about-india-10297591.html - for a more detailed review.]
Very insightful and a pleasure to read. Occasionally it gets boring (after all raw data is boring) but hang on and she has a page-turner incident on the next page! Overall 4 on 5!
[This is the original article that led me to this book https://www.firstpost.com/india/rukmini-s-whole-numbers-and-half-truths-pushes-back-against-misreading-of-data-misleading-stories-about-india-10297591.html - for a more detailed review.]