This proposed text appears to be a good introduction to evolutionary
computation for use in applied statistics research. The authors draw
from a vast base of knowledge about the current literature in both the
design of evolutionary algorithms and statistical techniques. Modern
statistical research is on the threshold of solving increasingly complex
problems in high dimensions, and the generalization of its methodology
to parameters whose estimators do not follow mathematically simple
distributions is underway. Many of these challenges involve optimizing
functions for which analytic solutions are infeasible. Evolutionary
algorithms represent a powerful and easily understood means of
approximating the optimum value in a variety of settings. The proposed
text seeks to guide readers through the crucial issues of optimization
problems in statistical settings and the implementation of tailored
methods (including both stand-alone evolutionary algorithms and hybrid
crosses of these procedures with standard statistical algorithms like
Metropolis-Hastings) in a variety of applications. This book would serve
as an excellent reference work for statistical researchers at an
advanced graduate level or beyond, particularly those with a strong
background in computer science.