B.D.Ripley 著名的统计学家，牛津大学应用统计教授。他在空间统计学、模式识别领域作出了重要贡献，对S的开发以及S-PLUSUS和R的推广应用有着重要影响。20世纪90年代他出版了人工神经网络方面的著作，影响很大，引导统计学者开始关注机器学习和数据挖掘。除本书外，他还著有Modern Applied Statistics with S和S Programming。

Now in paperback: the most reliable account of the statistical framework for pattern recognition and machine learning. With unparalleled coverage and a wealth of case-studies this book gives valuable insight into both the theory and the enormously diverse applications (which can be found in remote sensing, astrophysics, engineering and medicine, for example). So that readers can develop their skills and understanding, many of the real data sets used in the book are available from the author's website: www.stats.ox.ac.uk/~ripley/PRbook/. For the same reason, many examples are included to illustrate real problems in pattern recognition. Unifying principles are highlighted, and the author gives an overview of the state of the subject, making the book valuable to experienced researchers in statistics, machine learning/artificial intelligence and engineering. The clear writing style means that the book is also a superb introduction for non-specialists.