Analytics Press
News

August 28, 2001  

New book helps fight information overload

Turning Numbers into Knowledge:
Mastering the Art of Problem Solving

by Jonathan Koomey, Ph.D.
$34.95 hardcover, 221 pages
ISBN 0-9706019-0-5, Pub. date: Aug. 28, 2001

Oakland, California– The new book Turning Numbers into Knowledge teaches the art of critical thinking, which is an essential tool for fighting information overload in any field.   Mastering this art takes more than proficiency with basic calculations; it requires understanding how people use information, recognizing the importance of ideology, learning the art of story telling, and acknowledging the important distinction between facts and values. Turning Numbers into Knowledge is the first comprehensive guide to these and other essential skills. Full of tools, tricks, and tips for solving problems in the real world, it will prepare you well to make independent judgments about the assertions of others and to generate cogent and compelling analyses of your own. 

Turning Numbers into Knowledge is written for problem solvers in business, government, consulting, and research professions, and for students of business and public policy.  It is also intended for professors, managers, and entrepreneurs, all of whom rely on the analyses of others in their work.  Finally, it covers many topics that journalists who focus on scientific or business topics will find useful.  It’s an ideal training manual for those new to or intimidated by quantitative analysis, and an excellent refresher for those with more experience.

Author Jonathan Koomey made Turning Numbers into Knowledge readable and fun, with almost forty short and entertaining chapters, and lots of quotations, cartoons, and amusing graphics.  The book has been used to teach the class “Tricks of the Trade” at the Energy and Resources Group at the University of California at Berkeley, as well as in other training seminars. Its readability and wide applicability to current issues has led to praise from leaders in business, government, and academia (see quotations below).

Jonathan Koomey is a Staff Scientist and Group Leader at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, in Berkeley, California. He holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the Energy and Resources Group at the University of California at Berkeley, and an A.B. in History of Science from Harvard University. He is the author or co-author of seven books and more than one hundred articles and reports. He serves on the Editorial Board of the journal Contemporary Economic Policy, and has appeared on Nova/Frontline, CNBC, NPR, PRI, the California Report, Tech Nation, KPIX TV (SF), and KQED radio. In his spare time, he enjoys Aikido, hiking, running, and playing classical contrabass. To schedule Jonathan Koomey for interviews, call 510/547-7860 or email <jgkoomey@numbersintoknowledge.com>.

To order Turning Numbers into Knowledge, or to download publicity materials, go to <http://www.numbersintoknowledge.com>.  Review copies available upon request.

Analytics Press, located in Oakland, CA, teaches critical thinking skills by publishing books, course materials, and software, and by organizing seminars and workshops.  For more details contact us at <http://www.numbersintoknowledge.com> or at PO Box 20313, Oakland, CA 94620-0313.