An Accidental Statistician (PDF)

Celebrating the life of an admired pioneer in
statistics

In this captivating and inspiring memoir, world-renowned
statistician George E. P. Box offers a firsthand account of his
life and statistical work. Writing in an engaging, charming style,
Dr. Box reveals the unlikely events that led him to a career in
statistics, beginning with his job as a chemist conducting
experiments for the British army during World War II. At this
turning point in his life and career, Dr. Box taught himself the
statistical methods necessary to analyze his own findings when
there were no statisticians available to check his work.

Throughout his autobiography, Dr. Box expertly weaves a personal
and professional narrative to illustrate the effects his work had
on his life and vice-versa. Interwoven between his research with
time series analysis, experimental design, and the quality
movement, Dr. Box recounts coming to the United States, his family
life, and stories of the people who mean the most to him.

This fascinating account balances the influence of both personal
and professional relationships to demonstrate the extraordinary
life of one of the greatest and most influential statisticians of
our time. An Accidental Statistician also features:

* Two forewords written by Dr. Box's former
colleagues and closest confidants

* Personal insights from more than a dozen statisticians
on how Dr. Box has influenced and continues to touch their careers
and lives

* Numerous, previously unpublished photos from the
author's personal collection

An Accidental Statistician is a compelling read for
statisticians in education or industry, mathematicians, engineers,
and anyone interested in the life story of an influential
intellectual who altered the world of modern statistics.