Sir David Cox is one of the seminal statistical thinkers of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. In this selection of his work, Professor Cox reviews his most influential and interesting papers published before 1993. Each paper is the subject of a candid commentary written especially for this collection. In these he describes the context in which the papers arose and their subsequent influence. He also identifies avenues for future research. Organised in two volumes and grouped by theme, the papers and commentaries provide excellent coverage of many of the most significant advances in statistics in recent times. But this collection is more than a record of scientific achievement. Professor Cox's writing is characterised by clarity and wit, so these volumes can be read as much for enjoyment as for edification.