For John L. Gibbs, my father, who taught me to keep my eye on the ball

and

For Mary R. O'Connor Gibbs, my mother, who taught me to laugh when I missed it

Acknowledgments

This book started life as a Zen approach to statistical reasoning. Anne Campbell and Steven Muncer deserve recognition for pointing out that there are broader and more interesting applications of Zen to learning than to just statistics.

In its adolescence, the book grew into an overweight, awkward, and boring treatise. Robert Strieker, my agent, saw some potential where others had not, made some very insightful suggestions, and had the gumption to take on the project.

The book developed into maturity under the care of Gary Luke, my editor. I thank Gary for his suggestions and encouragement.

Thanks go to Nan Wizer, my friend, for her illustrations, and to all the other members of our little sangha in Indiana, PA, for their support and zillions of dharma yuks.

Finally, I would like to thank Kate Hanrahan, my wife, for her love, faith, and understanding, and our children, Sarah and Roddy Gibbs, for the way they make my heart sing.