Statistics relies heavily on mathematics but is not subservient to it. It requires common sense, mathematical tools, and careful analysis. An introductory statistics course is fundamentally a lesson in proper reasoning with a quantitative edge. Despite not having taken such a course before, a mathematics professor found it engaging to teach students at a state university. However, the assigned textbook was a jumbled mess filled with unnecessary content. In contrast, the preferred book by Freedman, Pisani, and Purves focuses on critical thinking rather than technique. It stresses the importance of limitations in statistical techniques and the significance of experimentation for valuable data interpretation.
http://cadlag.org/posts/a-review-of-freedman-pisani-purves-statistics.html