Best Business Statistics Books of 2025

Accelerate: The Science of Lean Software and DevOps: Building and Scaling High Performing Technology Organizations is an essential book for anyone involved in digital transformation. The authors provide solid guidance on what works, what doesn't work, and what doesn't matter. The book presents groundbreaking research, including data collected from the State of DevOps reports conducted with Puppet, to measure software delivery performance and what drives it. The findings and science behind that research are presented in an accessible way for readers to apply in their own organizations. Overall, this book is a must-read for management at every level in the tech industry.

Discrimination and Disparities by Thomas Sowell examines the origins of economic disparities and challenges the idea that different economic outcomes can be explained by any one factor, be it discrimination, exploitation, or genetics. The book analyzes the human consequences of prevailing social visions of these disparities and the policies based on that vision. The author presents a well-researched and thought-provoking argument that is both accessible and relevant. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex issues surrounding economic disparities.

Fooled by Randomness is an intriguing book that explores the hidden role of chance in our lives and the markets. Nassim Nicholas Taleb, a veteran trader, and renowned risk expert, presents captivating insights into the significance of chance in our decision-making processes. Through the backdrop of the trading world, Taleb delves into the intellectual issues related to the underestimation of the influence of happenstance on our lives. The book is populated with an array of characters, both real and fictional, who have understood the role of randomness in their lives. Fooled by Randomness is a modern classic and a must-read for anyone seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.

How to Lie with Statistics by Darrell Huff is a classic book that explores the deceptive ways in which statistics can be manipulated to mislead people. Despite being first published in 1954, the book remains relevant and serves as a wake-up call for individuals who are not accustomed to examining the endless flow of numbers pouring from Wall Street, Madison Avenue, and other sources. The author's tone is both humorous and no-nonsense as he exposes the countless dodges used to deceive rather than inform. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to avoid being a statistical sucker.

Think and Grow Rich is a motivational classic that offers a roadmap to achievement by learning from important figures in history. Written by Napoleon Hill and inspired by Andrew Carnegie, this book features the original 1937 edition with a new introduction from Mitch Horowitz. Hill interviewed 504 successful people, including Ford, Rockefeller, and Edison, over 20 years to come up with the 13 Steps to Riches. The book teaches the importance of a definite chief aim, writing down goals, using autosuggestion to increase confidence, and thinking accurately. This book has sold millions of copies and remains a source of inspiration for today's motivational speakers.

How to Measure Anything in Cybersecurity Risk is a must-read for those looking to improve risk assessment in modern organizations. The book, now in its second edition, offers a practical guide to quantifying uncertainty and measuring seemingly intangible objectives. The authors, a pioneering information security professional and a leader in quantitative analysis methods, dispel long-held beliefs and myths about information security while providing advanced methods and detailed advice for a variety of use cases. The book is an essential roadmap for IT security managers, CFOs, risk and compliance professionals, and statisticians looking for novel new ways to apply quantitative techniques to cybersecurity.

Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O’Neil is a thought-provoking book that explores how big data and mathematical models are shaping our lives. O'Neil highlights the dangers of using unregulated and uncontestable algorithms that reinforce discrimination, punish the downtrodden, and undermine democracy. The book is a wake-up call for citizens to understand the power of data and how it is used to make decisions that affect our lives. The author's gift for analogy makes the book accessible and engaging, making it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding how data is shaping our world.

The Book of Why by Judea Pearl, a Turing Award-winning computer scientist and statistician, is a groundbreaking work that explores the study of cause and effect on a scientific basis. Pearl's work not only explains how we can determine whether something causes another, but also enables us to explore the worlds that could have been. The book provides valuable lessons on the history of ideas and the conceptual tools needed to judge what big data can and cannot deliver. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding causality, human thought, and artificial intelligence.

Becoming a Data Head by Alex Gutman and Jordan Goldmeier is a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to become an active participant in data science, statistics, and machine learning. The authors make this complex space simple by breaking down the 'data process' into understandable patterns. The book offers a language and tools necessary to talk and think critically about data science, covering everything from the personalities you’ll work with to the math behind the algorithms. It is a must-read for business professionals, engineers, executives, and aspiring data scientists who want to become more valuable employees and make their organization more successful.

The Statistics Laminate Reference Chart: Parameters, Variables, Intervals, Proportions (Quickstudy: Academic) is a concise guide that provides an overview of the essential topics covered in introductory statistics courses. This book is ideal for students who are looking for a quick reference tool that they can use to study for exams or as a supplement to their course materials. It covers parameters, variables, intervals, and proportions in a clear and concise manner, making it easy for readers to understand and retain the information. Overall, this book is a great resource for students who are looking to improve their understanding of statistics.