Penguin Press signs 'vital' Spiegelhalter and Masters book on coronavirus data

Penguin Press has signed Covid by Numbers, a "vital" data-driven examination of the coronavirus pandemic by leading statisticians David Spiegelhalter and Anthony Masters.  

Laura Stickney, publishing director at Penguin Press, bought world all languages rights from Jonathan Pegg at JPLA. Pelican will publish the book in the UK in hardback in September this year.  

Spiegelhalter and Masters said: “This crisis has revealed that people are hungry for proper detail about what has been affecting all our lives, reflecting an increased data literacy among both the media and the public. Numbers and statistics are not just cold, hard facts, but can be used as arguments that can change our emotions. This means that audiences need to develop a critical ability to examine both their own feelings, and the motivations of those who are showering them with numbers. We hope that we can bring some clarity to this challenging, but exciting, time, when data has never been more important”. 

Stickney added: “‘David Spiegelhalter has consistently been one of the most clear-headed and insightful voices throughout this pandemic, and his and Anthony Masters’ always eye-opening Observer column in recent months has helped many of us make sense of the deluge of data we have been receiving.  

“This short and punchy book will give readers a vital ‘situation room’ view of the Covid-19 pandemic, one that will answer many of our remaining questions, overturn common misconceptions and help us prepare for what is to come in the future. Given the urgent need for a proper assessment of the pandemic and the government response, we are thrilled to be able to bring this out so quickly."