Farin, chief editor of the journal Computer Aided Geometric Design, and Hansford (computing and informatics, Arizona State U.) describe a new set of tools by which scientists and engineers in physical, biological, and social sciences can extract knowledge from huge collections of data. The volume could serve as textbook in a one-semester undergraduate junior or senior course for students with a background in basic computing skills and some knowledge of calculus and linear algebra. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)