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A review by brew_and_books
Numbers Don't Lie: 71 Things You Need to Know About the World by Vaclav Smil
3.0
"Numbers Don't Lie" is a book that falls in the realm of factfulness but failed to hit the mark for me. It's the kind of read that covers a whirlwind of topics—everything from civilization to economics, world politics to inventions, nutrition to happiness, and beyond. The format is rather unique, with each chapter clocking in at a concise 2-3 pages.
While brevity can be a virtue, in parts, it left me craving more substance and notable references for many of the chapters. I couldn't help but feel that sometimes, the real heart of the matter was untouched and was somewhere just outside the frame. Numbers actually don't lie, but their presentation can very much influence the audience's perception of the matter. I often wondered about the references that shaped this work. As a grad student, I've learned the hard way that numbers and stats can be slippery, and additional context is often crucial to truly make a point.
I also found the tone to be pessimistic in some chapters. The notion that minimal advancement today inevitably leads to stagnation in the future is only sometimes accurate. Nonetheless, this book still serves as a decent conversation starter on the topics it touches upon. It undeniably provides food for thought. However, I'm convinced that there are better books in this domain that offer more in-depth explanations to support their conclusions.
While brevity can be a virtue, in parts, it left me craving more substance and notable references for many of the chapters. I couldn't help but feel that sometimes, the real heart of the matter was untouched and was somewhere just outside the frame. Numbers actually don't lie, but their presentation can very much influence the audience's perception of the matter. I often wondered about the references that shaped this work. As a grad student, I've learned the hard way that numbers and stats can be slippery, and additional context is often crucial to truly make a point.
I also found the tone to be pessimistic in some chapters. The notion that minimal advancement today inevitably leads to stagnation in the future is only sometimes accurate. Nonetheless, this book still serves as a decent conversation starter on the topics it touches upon. It undeniably provides food for thought. However, I'm convinced that there are better books in this domain that offer more in-depth explanations to support their conclusions.