Modeling

Bill Warner

All steps are described in practical detail, making the book extremely actionable, and tool independent. First, how to determine the appropriate problem to analyze? Then, what are the right data, and how do I get them? Only then does the data mining begin, and a groundbreaking, comprehensive methodology is put forward to come up with the best possible model in every circumstance. The business modeling and data mining methodologies explicate at every possible step in the process - what to do, and how to proceed. In addition, a lot of supporting material provides insight on topics like working with conditional probabilities, regression to the mean, visualizing model performance and errors in problem space, etc.

Mr. Pyle's previous book set the mark with regards to data preparation. This book is much broader in its scope and should actually be read before the previous one. It's pretty hefty, but more than worth the read. In my opinion it should also be mandatory for 'data savvy' marketers as well, for instance as textbook in contemporary MBA courses.

Thirty projects, lots of great basic info about colors, color mixing, making shapes, combining shapes, changing expressions, etc.

Everything is illustrated in imaginative ways - even the basic color wheel is a whimsical thing.

The elves are adorable and the dragon beautiful - a huge range of critters and creatures in between - all appear to be quite do-able.

I think this would be a great book even for an adult who wants to try sculpting/modelling - you'll get some great inspiration from this! Plus, the "story-process" in the second half of the book is terrific and all the pictures are just gorgeous! :)

Elizabeth