The preface of the book "Discrete Multivariate Analysis: Theory and Practice" by Yvonne M. M. Bishop, Stephen E. Fienberg, and Paul W. Holland, with contributions from Richard J. Light and Frederick Mosteller, provides an overview of the book's development and the contributions of various individuals. The authors highlight the historical significance of discrete multivariate data analysis, noting its prominence since the work of Karl Pearson and Sir R. A. Fisher. They acknowledge the pivotal role of Frederick Mosteller in fostering their interest and support throughout their research. The preface also thanks numerous colleagues and students for their contributions and comments on the manuscript. Additionally, it lists the research grants that supported the authors' work and mentions the publication history of earlier versions of the material. The contents section outlines the structure of the book, covering topics such as structural models for counted data, maximum likelihood estimates, goodness-of-fit tests, incomplete tables, models for measuring change, analysis of square tables, model selection, and asymptotic methods.The preface of the book "Discrete Multivariate Analysis: Theory and Practice" by Yvonne M. M. Bishop, Stephen E. Fienberg, and Paul W. Holland, with contributions from Richard J. Light and Frederick Mosteller, provides an overview of the book's development and the contributions of various individuals. The authors highlight the historical significance of discrete multivariate data analysis, noting its prominence since the work of Karl Pearson and Sir R. A. Fisher. They acknowledge the pivotal role of Frederick Mosteller in fostering their interest and support throughout their research. The preface also thanks numerous colleagues and students for their contributions and comments on the manuscript. Additionally, it lists the research grants that supported the authors' work and mentions the publication history of earlier versions of the material. The contents section outlines the structure of the book, covering topics such as structural models for counted data, maximum likelihood estimates, goodness-of-fit tests, incomplete tables, models for measuring change, analysis of square tables, model selection, and asymptotic methods.