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Appeal of the readers The famous scientists-statistics V. M. Simtchera, V. A. Sokolin, E.A. Mashikhin and A. U. Sheviakov have prepared a book for publishing, which has analogues on its intention and performance neither in our country nor in the world practice. Submitting documentary generalization of history of domestic and partially world statistics since ancient time until present time and built on the basis of full and particular biblio-biographical study of statistical publications of the Ancient Russia, the Russian Empire, the USSR and Russian Federation and also publications of CM A and CIS, the book has demonstrative character and because of it principally differs from the other works made in the history of statistics earlier. By its plot, global cover of historical facts, the level of reconciling of submitted statistical materials and chronological exactness of exposition of facts, generalizing very difficult and most discrepant ledges intellectual statistical history, the book is a brilliant example of realization of experimental research in elaborate modem conditions. The book has great importance for the development of modem fundamental science and deserves highest appraisement. The book is recommended to a wide range of scientific society among which it will find a positive response. Academician N. P. FEDORENKO Moscow, 2001