Reading this book was thoroughly pleasurable. We live in a world where we are battered unceasingly by information and interpretation. Ellenberg presents some basic concepts as tools for separating wheat from chaff. Among others, he discusses the limits of probability, the use and misuse of linear regressions, regression to the mean, and correlation is not cause. His writing style is conversational, laced with humor. His discussion of "there's no such thing as public opinion" is classic. It's something I think most people feel is so, but can't quite put a finger on why. As far as the math goes, my background is that I squeaked through (i.e. passed) one semester of calculus in college. That was 1964 and all I remember is that is had something to do with the area under a curve. The book doesn't go beyond high school algebra. And I skipped lots of the equations because I was more interested in Ellenberg's discussion of what they meant. That does not detract from the enjoyment of what should be required reading for every adult.