Matloff delivers a well-balanced book for advanced beginners. Besides the mathematical formulas, he also presents many chunks of R code, and if the reader is able to read R code, the formulas and calculations become clearer. Due to the computational R code, the well-written Appendix, and an overall clear English, the book will help students and autodidacts. Matloff has written a textbook of the best kind for such a broad topic." ". . . the book is well suitable for a wide audience: For practitioners interested in applying the methodology, for students in statistics as well as economics/social sciences and computer science.

Statistical Regression and Classification: From Linear Models to Machine Learning takes an innovative look at the traditional statistical regression course, presenting a contemporary treatment in line with today's applications and users. The book treats classical regression methods in an innovative, contemporary manner. Though some statistical learning methods are introduced, the primary methodology used is linear and generalized linear parametric models, covering both the Description and Prediction goals of regression methods. The author is just as interested in Description applications of regression, such as measuring the gender wage gap in Silicon Valley, as in forecasting tomorrow's demand for bike rentals. An entire chapter is devoted to measuring such effects, including discussion of Simpson's Paradox, multiple inference, and causation issues. Similarly, there is an entire chapter of parametric model fit, making use of both residual analysis and assessment via nonparametric analysis.