6 books on data and technology to gift at Three Kings Day

After New Year, it seems that Christmas comes to an end, but we still have a date marked on our agenda: Three Kings Day. Adults and children hope to get up on January 6 and discover what the Three Wise Men from the East have brought us. And what better gift than a book that can help us expand our knowledge and skills.

For those who have not yet finished their Christmas purchases and are rushing at the last minute, in datos.gob.es we have collected a selection of books on data and disruptive technologies that can be a good option to gift to your loved ones. We have all levels books: basic, to encourage your younger relatives to study a career focused on data management and analysis (professions that will be highly demanded in the coming years) or advanced, for those professionals who want to improve their knowledge and gain a competitive advantage to boost their career in 2020.

Las bases de Big Data, by Rafael Caballero and Enrique Martín.

What is it about? Disclosure book that explains what Big Data is and how it works, including details and curiosities that allow the reader to better understand the big data world, its processing and the business involved. It also explains basic aspects of the Hadoop ecosystem or databases, both relational and non-relational.

Who is it for? It is an introductory and easy-to-read book. The book does not include a technical vision, but it is detailed and critical so that the reader wants to continue going deeper into the subject.

Storytelling with data. Data visualization for Business professionals, by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic.

What is it about? A book to learn how to tell stories using data. Cole Nussbaumer tells us about the fundamentals of data visualization through real examples that help to understand the theory in a simple way. The book helps the user to reflect on the stories he/she wants to tell and how to tell them, teaching him to choose different types of graphics and tools according to the audience.

Who is it for? It is a simple and quick-to-read book, perfect for those who work with data, do not have a technical profile and want to improve the way they show the results.

Introduction to Data Science: Data Analysis and Prediction Algorithms with R, by Rafael A. Irizarry.

What is it about? Rafael A. Irizarry presents concepts and skills to solve the challenges of real-world data analysis. The book covers concepts from probability, statistical inference, linear regression, machine learning, R programming, data visualization, predictive algorithms building, file organization with UNIX / Linux shell, version control with Git and GitHub and preparation of reproducible documents.

Who is it for? To first-year data science students, so it is perfect to introduce this subject.

Learning Path: Understanding Tool Integration for Big Data Architecture, by O'Reilly Media

What is it about? The book explains how to integrate Hadoop components with the goal of implementing big data solutions for a variety of use cases, including clickstream analytics, time series problems, transferring data between Hadoop and relational databases, and applications in the finance sector.

Who is it for? Book aimed at professionals with technical knowledge related to the universe of data or advanced students.

Prediction Machines: The Simple Economics of Artificial Intelligence by Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans y Avi Goldfarb

What is it about? The book starts from a question: how should companies establish strategies, governments design policies and citizens plan their lives in a world marked by technology and Artificial Intelligence? 3 eminent economists try to clarify this issue by demystifying artificial intelligence and examining it through standard economic theory.

Who is it for? To all those who want to understand the reality of artificial intelligence, although it is especially aimed at entrepreneurs, business leaders or public policy makers.

The State of Open Data: Histories and Horizons, by Tim Davies, Stephen B. Walker y Mor Rubinstein.

What is it about? Book that reviews the lessons learned in the 10 years of the open data movement and looks to the future to make the reader reflect on how open data initiatives will respond to new privacy concerns, and the inclusion of artificial intelligence.

Who is it for? For those involved in the open data ecosystem, but also those who are curious about the evolution of the movement. The book is also available in free version here.

As in previous years, the list is just a selection that we have prepared based on recommendations from experts who collaborate with data.gob.es, but we know that there are many more interesting books on these topics. Therefore, we encourage you to share new recommendations in the comments.