Covers encoding and binary digits, entropy, language and meaning, efficient encoding and the noisy channel, and explores ways in which information theory relates to physics, cybernetics, psychology, and art. "Uncommonly good...the most satisfying discussion to be found." — Scientific American. 1980 edition.
An Introduction to Information Theory
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
89 of 90 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although old this is still the best book to learn the core ideas of this subject, especially what information "entropy" really means. I read Ash's book, and followed the proofs, but I didn't really grasp the ideas until I read this.
The book is geared towards non-mathematicians, but it is not just a tour. Pierce tackles the main ideas just not all the techniques and special cases.
Perfect for: anyone in science, linguistics, or engineering. Very good for: everyone else.
67 of 71 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Claude Shannon died last year, and it's really disgraceful that his name is not a household word in the manner of Einstein and Newton. He really WAS the Isaac Newton of communications theory, and his master's thesis on Boolean logic applied to circuits is probably the most cited ever.
This is the ONLY book of which I am aware which attempts to present Shannon's results to the educated lay reader, and Pierce does a crackerjack job of it. Notwithstanding, this is not a book for the casual reader. The ideas underlying the theory are inherently subtle and mathematical, although there are numerous practical manifestations of them in nature, and in human "information transmission" behavior. On the other hand, this is a work which repays all effort invested in its mastery many times over.
36 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Though first printed in 1961 and revised in 1980 this is the best introduction to information theory there is. Very easy to read and light on math, just as an introduction should be. I expect it will be in print for a very, very long time.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great for an information theory laymen
I am not schooled in this field of science, so I cannot verify the accuracy of the terminology and methods or account for how current the material is - but I did find this book... Read more
Published 24 days ago by Brett A. Fishwild
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Introduction to Information Theory
I have had a little prior experience in information theory but this book broadens my knowledge to a more substantial level. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Highlanderkev
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very clear on entropy and Information differences
I have been having problems with the difference between Information and entropy. In past books on this subject , I had a difficult time distinguishing the difference. Read more
Published 1 month ago by John I salisbury
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review
Prompt service and very informative book. It helpe with my system. I would buy from seller again and recommend it to others. Product priced well.
Published 1 month ago by Red Dawn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
You don't need to be an expert to read this book but you will need to have a passion about the subject to get through some of the topics covered.
Published 2 months ago by Ronald J. Washington
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding book. Relevant Concepts
I wanted a general information theory book but was concerned that this one would be dated. Most of the concepts are very relevant to science in general and information theory. Read more
Published 2 months ago by David T. Ruppel
5.0 out of 5 stars
a wonderful starter for anyone interested in how information works
I found this book to be an extremely refreshing look at information theory. It was written with a minimum of math, but didn't dumb down when it came to understanding the concepts. Read more
Published 2 months ago by jfizzix
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truly theory for beginners and non-specialists.
I read a lot of science theory, though I am not a scientist. This book is written in a way that even we hobbyists can understand and learn from.
Published 2 months ago by Kathleen Lotz
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not for me
I did not like this book but it will be appreciated by more techie folks. It is slow reading and heavily theory laden.
Published 5 months ago by VinylMan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book on information theory
After reading Claude Shannon's 1948 paper laying out the foundations of information theory, I found myself wanting to know more about the subject. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Joe Jordan
