7 Best Books on Statistics for Data Science: Top Recommendations for 2023
Statistics is a fundamental aspect of data science that enables us to make sense of large datasets. Having a solid understanding of statistics is crucial in the field of data science. That’s why we have researched various books to help you find the best ones on statistics for data science.
Best Books on Statistics for Data Science
In the field of data science, strong foundation in statistics is very important. We’ve compiled a list of 7 best books on statistics for data science, these books will help you master the fundamentals and take your statistical analysis to the next level.
The Art of Statistics: How to Learn from Data

The book covers a wide range of topics, including probability, regression, and hypothesis testing. It’s an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their statistical literacy, and it’s especially useful for those who work with data regularly. Spiegelhalter’s writing style is engaging and approachable, making it easy for readers to follow along and understand even the most complicated topics.
The book is well-organized and easy to understand, even for those without a background in statistics. The author provides clear and concise explanations of statistical concepts and techniques. It includes helpful real-world examples and case studies to illustrate key concepts.
The book can be a bit dense at times, requiring careful reading and attention to detail. Some readers may find the book too introductory, lacking in-depth coverage of more advanced topics. The book does not include any exercises or practice problems to reinforce learning.
Despite these minor drawbacks, we believe that The Art of Statistics: How to Learn from Data is an excellent choice for anyone looking to improve their understanding of statistics and data analysis.
Practical Statistics for Data Scientists

We highly recommend purchasing Practical Statistics for Data Scientists: 50+ Essential Concepts Using R and Python. This book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to improve their understanding of statistics in data science. The book covers more than 50 essential statistical concepts and techniques. The content is well-written and easy to understand, even for beginners. The book provides practical examples using both R and Python.
However, the print quality is not great, and some of the illustrations are difficult to read. The book is not very comprehensive, and some topics are only covered briefly. And also, the book assumes some prior knowledge of statistics and programming.
We recommend Practical Statistics for Data Scientists to anyone looking to improve their understanding of statistics in data science. The book provides a practical, hands-on approach to learning, and covers many essential statistical concepts and techniques.
Becoming a Data Head: How to Think, Speak, and Understand Data Science, Statistics, and Machine Learning

If you want to understand data science, statistics, and machine learning, Becoming a Data Head is a great resource to have on hand. It provides practical explanations and analogies for complex concepts. It offers a great overview of the data science industry today. It is written in an accessible and engaging style.
We found the book to be a great introduction to the world of data science, with practical examples and analogies that helped us understand complex concepts. The authors do a great job of breaking down complex ideas into digestible pieces, making it easy to follow along.
One of the things we appreciated most about the book was its emphasis on practical explanations. The authors don’t just explain what a concept is, they also provide real-world examples of how it’s used. This makes it easier to understand how data science, statistics, and machine learning can be applied in different industries.
However, this book contains typesetting and editing mistakes. Some pages have missing page numbers and chapter headings. While it has its flaws, it’s a great resource for beginners and provides a solid foundation for further learning.
Statistics for Data Scientists: An Introduction to Probability, Statistics, and Data Analysis

If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to probability, statistics, and data analysis, then Statistics for Data Scientists is definitely worth considering. The book provides a clear and concise introduction to probability, statistics, and data analysis, making it easy to understand even for those without a strong math background. The author provides numerous real-world examples and practical applications of statistical concepts, making it easy to see how they can be applied in a variety of fields. The book is well-organized and easy to navigate, with clear explanations and helpful diagrams throughout.
While the book is comprehensive, it can be a bit dense at times, and may require multiple readings to fully grasp some of the more complex concepts. The examples provided are primarily focused on computer science applications, so those looking for statistics applications in other fields may find the book less relevant. The book is relatively expensive compared to other introductory statistics texts on the market.
Statistics for Absolute Beginners (Second Edition)

We highly recommend purchasing Statistics for Absolute Beginners (Second Edition) if you are looking to learn about statistics in a simple, easy-to-follow way. It provides a basic understanding of statistics for beginners and covers real-world examples for better comprehension.
This book is a great resource for those who are new to statistics and want to learn the fundamentals. One of the best things about this book is that it uses real-world examples to explain statistical concepts that makes it easier to understand and apply the concepts in practice. The book is also well-organized, with each chapter building upon the previous one, so readers can follow along and understand the concepts in a logical order.
While the book is great for beginners, it may not be as useful for those with prior knowledge of statistics. The coverage of advanced topics is limited, and the book could benefit from more exercises for hands-on practice.
Probability and Statistics for Data Science: Math + R + Data (Chapman & Hall/CRC Data Science Series)

We highly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning about probability and statistics for data science. The book is well-written and easy to understand, even for beginners. The examples are practical and relevant, making it easy to apply the concepts in real-world situations.
In the first few chapters, the book covers the basics of probability theory, including probability distributions, random variables, and expected values. The authors then move on to statistical inference, covering topics such as hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, and more. The book also covers regression analysis, including simple and multiple linear regression, logistic regression, and more.
One of the things we liked most about this book is the practical examples and exercises provided throughout. The authors do an excellent job of explaining complex concepts in a way that is easy to understand, and the examples help to reinforce the material covered in each chapter.
R Statistics Cookbook: Over 100 recipes for performing complex statistical operations with R 3.5

The book is a collection of over 100 recipes that provide step-by-step instructions for performing complex statistical operations using R 3.5. It covers various statistical techniques such as data visualization, regression analysis, hypothesis testing, and machine learning.
One of the major advantages of the cookbook is that it provides detailed explanations of each recipe, making it easy for users to understand the underlying statistical concepts. It also provides step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow, even for users who are new to R programming.
However, some of the recipes may require prior knowledge of R programming, which may be a disadvantage for some users. The book may not be suitable for beginners who are new to R programming, as it assumes some prior knowledge of the language. This cookbook may not cover all statistical operations that users may need, which may be a limitation for some users.
Read also:
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- 12 Best Books on AI and Machine Learning
- 10 Best Books to Learn Python for Data Science
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