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I've noticed a trend in acknowledgment sections—the author's spouse is often mentioned at the end. I suppose it's a saving-the-best-for-last gesture, but I promised my wife if I ever wrote a book, I'd mention her first to make it perfectly clear whose contributions mattered most to me. So, to my wife Erin, thank you for your love, encouragement, and smile. As I write this, you are taking our three young children on a bike ride, giving me time to write one final page. (I assure all readers this act is a representative sample of our lives this past year.)

I'd also like to thank my parents, Ed and Nancy, for being the best cheerleaders in whatever I do and for showing me what being a good parent looks like, and to my siblings Ryan, Ross, and Erin for their support.

This book is the culmination of many discussions with friends and colleagues, ranging from whether I should attempt to write a book about data literacy to potential topics that should appear in it. Thank you especially to Altynbek Ismailov, Andy Neumeier, Bradley Boehmke, Brandon Greenwell, Brent Russell, Cade Saie, Caleb Goodreau, Carl Parson, Daniel Uppenkamp, Douglas Clarke, Greg Anderson, Jason Freels, Joel Chaney, Joseph Keller, Justin Maurer, Nathan Swigart, Phil Hartke, Samuel Reed, Shawn Schneider, Stephen Ferro, and Zachary Allen.

I'm also indebted to the hundreds of engineers, business professionals, and data scientists I've interacted with, personally or online, who've taught me how to be a better data scientist and communicator. And to my “students” (colleagues) who have given candid feedback about the courses I've taught, I heard you and I thank you.

I'm fortunate to have many academic and professional mentors who've given me numerous opportunities to find my voice and confidence as a statistician, data scientist, and trainer. Thank you to Jeffery Weir, John Tudorovic, K. T. Arasu, Raymond Hill, Rob Baker, Scott Crawford, Stephen Chambal, Tony White, and William Brenneman (who kindly served as a technical editor on this book). It's impossible not to become wiser hanging around a group like that.

Thanks to the team at Wiley: Jim Minatel for believing in the project and giving us a chance, Pete Gaughan and John Sleeva for guiding us through the process, and the production staff at Wiley for meticulously combing through our chapters. And to our technical editors, William Brenneman and Jen Stirrup, we appreciate your suggestions and expertise. The book is better because of you.

Special thanks to my coauthor Jordan Goldmeier, for one obvious reason (the book in your hands) and one not so obvious. Early in my career, I complained to Jordan that people didn't share my interest in statistics and statistical thinking. He said if I'm bothered by it, then it's my obligation to change it. I've been working to fulfill that obligation ever since.

Finally, I'd like to thank my wife Erin one final time (because you've got to save the best for last).

—Alex

I would like to acknowledge the many people who brought this book together.

First, and foremost, I would like to acknowledge my coauthor-in-crime, Alex Gutman. For years, we discussed writing a book together. When the moment was right, we pulled the trigger. I couldn't have asked for a better coauthor.

Thanks to the wonderful folks at Wiley who helped put this together, including acquisition editor Jim Minatel, and project editor John Sleeva. Also, I would like to acknowledge our technical editors, William Brenneman and Jen Stirrup for your hard work reviewing the book. We took your comments to heart.

Last but not least, thank you to my partner, Katie Gray, who always believed in this project—and me.

—Jordan