SKU: 67545635169

The Theory That Would Not Die: How Bayes' Rule Cracked the Enigma Code, Hunted Down Russian Submarines, and Emerged Triumphant from Two Centuries of

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The Theory That Would Not Die: How Bayes' Rule Cracked the Enigma Code, Hunted Down Russian Submarines, and Emerged Triumphant from Two Centuries ofA vivid account of the generations long dispute over Bayes' rule, one of the greatest breakthroughs in the history of applied mathematics and statistics "An intellectual romp touching on, among other topics, military ingenuity, the origins of modern epidemiology, and the theological foundation of modern mathematics." Michael Washburn, Boston Globe A New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice Bayes' rule appears to be a straightforward, one line

A vivid account of the generations-long dispute over Bayes' rule, one of the greatest breakthroughs in the history of applied mathematics and statistics

"An intellectual romp touching on, among other topics, military ingenuity, the origins of modern epidemiology, and the theological foundation of modern mathematics."--Michael Washburn, Boston Globe

A New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice

Bayes' rule appears to be a straightforward, one-line theorem: by updating our initial beliefs with objective new information, we get a new and improved belief. To its adherents, it is an elegant statement about learning from experience. To its opponents, it is subjectivity run amok.

In the first-ever account of Bayes' rule for general readers, Sharon Bertsch McGrayne explores this controversial theorem and the human obsessions surrounding it. She traces its discovery by an amateur mathematician in the 1740s through its development into roughly its modern form by French scientist Pierre Simon Laplace. She reveals why respected statisticians rendered it professionally taboo for 150 years--at the same time that practitioners relied on it to solve crises involving great uncertainty and scanty information (Alan Turing's role in breaking Germany's Enigma code during World War II), and explains how the advent of off-the-shelf computer technology in the 1980s proved to be a game-changer. Today, Bayes' rule is used everywhere from DNA de-coding to Homeland Security.

Drawing on primary source material and interviews with statisticians and other scientists, The Theory That Would Not Die is the riveting account of how a seemingly simple theorem ignited one of the greatest controversies of all time.



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Yale University Press
Published: 09/25/2012
ISBN: 9780300188226
Pages: 360
Weight: 1.15lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.10w x 1.10d
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SKU: 67545635169

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Tyler Kline
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Good looking shelves and easy install - skip the included drywall anchors
Color: Black, Number Of Shelves: 2, Size: 22in
I installed these shelves in a bedroom to get things off my dresser and some decor. Once mounted they look really nice. The black finish looks clean and modern and they blend in well with the room. Installation was pretty straightforward. The metal bracket mounts to the wall first and then the shelf slides over the bracket. As long as you take your time lining things up it’s a simple project. One thing I strongly recommend is not using the white plastic self-drilling drywall anchors that come with the kit. I’ve used that style before on other projects and they tend to strip out easily and leave larger holes in drywall. I used better anchors instead and the shelves mounted much more securely. The rest of the hardware worked fine and once installed the shelves feel solid and hold items well. Pros - Clean modern look - Easy installation - Feels solid once mounted - Good size for books or decor Cons - The small level included isn’t very accurate — use your own level - One of the metal brackets was slightly bent out of the box but straightened out easily Helpful tip: Use your own level and better drywall anchors if you have them. It makes installation easier and the shelves will mount much more securely. Final thoughts: For the price these are nice looking floating shelves that install easily and work well for light storage and decor.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2026
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Coffman, H
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Cheap, and effective!
Color: Black, Number Of Shelves: 4, Size: 15.7in
Looks good, works great, low cost. I'll be purchasing more in the future.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2026
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Amazon Customer
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 4
Cute for coffee bar!
Color: Black, Number Of Shelves: 4, Size: 15.7in
Great for above my coffee bar. Easy to mount and align. Seems stable!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2026
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Samuel Roberts
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Great shelves, strong, secure, sturdy, decent size, unbeatable price.
Color: White, Number Of Shelves: 4, Size: 15.7in
Easy installation fits where we wanted them. Stable strong secure snug fit. Cleans easily with dust wipe. I would recommend buying these.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2026
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Clara
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 3
The shelves sag away from the wall overtime
Color: White, Number Of Shelves: 2, Size: 15.7in, Color: White, Number Of Shelves: 2, Size: 15.7in
Although the wood quality and finish of the shelf are clean and well-made, the main issue is that the shelves begin to sag over time while holding around 10 pounds, even though the product listing claims they can support up to 20 pounds. They may perform better on a brick wall, but on drywall you should be cautious. To fix the problem, I had to purchase floating shelf brackets for support, which solved the sagging issue. However, this defeats the purpose of the “floating” aesthetic. Since the shelf is in my bedroom, I can overlook it, but I personally wouldn’t install these in a common area if I wanted a clean floating look.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2026

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