Dozens of times per day, we all interact with intelligent machines that are constantly learning from the wealth of data now available to them. These machines, from smart phones to talking robots to self-driving cars, are remaking the world of the 21st century in the same way that the Industrial Revolution remade the world of the 19th century. In the face of all these changes, we believe that there is a simple premise worth keeping in mind. If you want to understand the modern world, then you have to know a little bit of the mathematical language spoken by intelligent machines. Our book will teach you that language-but in an unconventional way, anchored around stories rather than mathematics. You will meet a fascinating cast of historical characters who have a lot to teach you about data, probability, and better thinking. Along the way, you'll see how these same ideas are playing out in the modern age of big data and intelligent machines-and how these technologies will soon help you to overcome some of your built-in cognitive weaknesses, giving you a chance to lead a happier, healthier, more fulfilled life.