"Problems associated with aggregation and classification are the underlying theme of this book. When data assembled from individuals are presented as group characteristics, this process has logical complications. Racial profiling and ethnic discrimination are obvious examples of the problem. Petersen's book analyzes in general how information from "persons" turns into statistics about specific "people."".

"Demographers, sociologists, and statisticians, as well as those generally concerned with social policy, will find From Persons to People useful and courageous - the hallmark of the dean of sociological demography."--BOOK JACKET.