The application of probability and statistics to an ever-widening number of life-decisions serves to reproduce, reinforce, and widen disparities in the quality of life that different groups of people can enjoy. As a critical technology assessment, the ways in which bad luck early in life increase the probability that hardship and loss will accumulate across the life course are illustrated. Analysis shows the ways in which individual decisions, informed by statistical models, shape the opportunities people face in both market and non-market environments. Ultimately, this book challenges the actuarial logic and instrumental rationalism that drives public policy and emphasizes the role that the mass media play in justifying its expanded use. Although its arguments and examples take as their primary emphasis the ways in which these decision systems affect the life chances of African-Americans, the findings are also applicable to a broad range of groups burdened by discrimination.

The application of probability and statistics to an ever-widening number of life-decisions serves to reproduce, reinforce, and widen disparities in the quality of life that different groups of people can enjoy. As a critical technology assessment, the ways in which bad luck early in life increase the probability that hardship and loss will accumulate across the life course are illustrated. Analysis shows the ways in which individual decisions, informed by statistical models, shape the opportunities people face in both market and non-market environments. Ultimately, this book challenges the actuarial logic and instrumental rationalism that drives public policy and emphasizes the role that the mass media play in justifying its expanded use. Although its arguments and examples take as their primary emphasis the ways in which these decision systems affect the life chances of African-Americans, the findings are also applicable to a broad range of groups burdened by discrimination.

'Sparklingly funny' Wired Magazine '[Nwaubani] not merely explores a side of modern existence that touches millions every day, but does so with wit, warmth and insight' Independent 'Beautifully written' Sunday Herald Kingsley is fresh out of university, eager to find an engineering job so he can support his family and marry the girl of his dreams. Being the opara of the family, he is entitled to certain privileges - a piece of meat in his egusi soup, a party to celebrate his graduation. But times are hard in Nigeria and jobs are not easy to come by. For much of his young life, Kingsley believed that education was everything, that through wisdom, all things were possible. But when a tragedy befalls his family, Kingsley learns the hardest lesson of all: education may be the language of success in his country, but it is money that does the talking. In desperation he turns to his uncle, Boniface-aka Cash Daddy-an exuberant character who suffers from elephantiasis of the pocket. He is also rumoured to run a successful empire of email scams. But he can help. With Cash Daddy's intervention, Kingsley and his family can be as safe as a tortoise under its shell. It is up to Kingsley now, to reconcile his passion for knowledge with his hunger for money, to fully assume his role of first son. But can he do it without being drawn into this outlandish milieu?

Chance is a black-and-white thinker until she realises that sometimes there are shades of grey. Chance is in Year 7 and thinks she has it all - a loving mother, dog Tiges, best friend and almost-sister next door. But when a reality TV team makes over her house, she discovers newspaper cuttings from the past that cause her to question the world as she knows it and everyone in it. Then she finds herself caught between two realities, identities and worlds. Face-to-face with the truth, Chance has a very difficult decision to make, which almost splits her in two. This powerful story explores what is true and what is fake in today’s world. And while Chance is all about the truth, she ponders whether "Maybe being truthful was really just a big lie." The Book of Chance by Sue Whiting, Highly Commended, 2021 Davitt Awards Best Children’s Crime Book

"Second Chance: How to Make and Keep Big Money from the Coming Gold and Silver Shock Wave empowers you to step onto the investment battlefield and leave it a winner."--

The conclusion to this much-loved series (over 100,000 copies sold) where strong women risk everything to rise above their desperate circumstances, find true love, and wed real men who'll treat them right. This final box-set contains Books 9-12 in the Come-By-Chance series. Most folk prefer to start with Box-Set 1 (the blue one!) and Box-Set 2 (the pink one!). Like most series, they are better read in order. Ava & Ina Two weddings! Two evil outlaws! Two more Come-By-Chance women in the family way! Lillie A precious girl with a fragile heart! A beau with a bad case of wanderlust! Preacher Ernest James Coy & the Come-By-Chance townsfolk are in for a terrible shock! Pearl A man-shy woman! A wedding-shy man! A preaching-shy preacher! And one conniving outlaw with plans — take over the town, then the Territory! Jane A wild and fun Modern Miss! A Preacher with a mighty pair of conundrums! An outlaw turned politician who's out of control! Don't miss the exciting conclusion to the Come-By-Chance saga! What readers are saying about the series: ★★★★★ 'I wish I could move there too! I just love all the characters.' ★★★★★ 'I can't wait to see if that mean old outlaw gets what he deserves.' ★★★★★ 'I would recommend this book and the whole series to any who enjoy clean, exciting western historical fiction.' ★★★★ 'That kind of originality earned my respect and a fourth star. Nice going, Juliet.' ★★★★★ 'I am addicted to all of them so far. They are sweet, funny and romantic.' ★★★★★ 'Love the town of Come By Chance. Feel like I know the folks. Drama, romance, mystery, it has it all.'

A wild and fun Modern Miss, a Preacher with a mighty pair of conundrums, and an Outlaw turned politician who's out of control! Don't miss the exciting conclusion to the Come-By-Chance saga! When Jane Waters comes pedaling into town, she cycles slap bang into corruption, catastrophe, and some increasingly curious conundrums — not to mention, right on into the heart of the beloved Come-By-Chance preacher, Ernest James Coy. For Jane, a modern late 19th Century woman, marriage is something she must avoid at all costs. Her heart belongs to her calling, for Jane is a writer — and no mere man can be allowed to stand in the way of that. Not even such a good man as the Come-By-Chance preacher. As for Ernest Coy himself, he sees the new woman in town as the wildest, most dangerous, and wonderful woman he's known. But these are dangerous times, and the preacher must face, not just one, but twomighty conundrums — conundrums that threaten the future of not just himself, not just Jane Waters, and not just the Come-By-Chance townsfolk. No, this time, the evil Slim Jim Murdoch might well destroy the lives of everyone in Montana Territory — and perhaps, in time, even the entire country. A timeless story of the importance of love and respect — and the difficult choices good people must make, when faced with evil incarnate. The Come-By-Chance books are jam-packed with gun-totin' adventure, intrigue and true love, all set in 1880s frontier America. Come-By-Chance Brides of 1885 Book 1. Opal – The Outlaw and the Sheriff Who Loved Her Book 2. Coral – The Widow and the Man Who Loved Horses Book 3. Ava & Ina – The Twins and the Fist-Fightin' Cowboys Book 4. Lillie – The Orphan and the Grief-Stricken Groomsman Book 5. Pearl – The Divorcee and the Wedding-Shy Dabster Book 6. Jane – The Modern Miss and the Preacher's Mighty Conundrum