Theoretical aspects of DM? HELP!

[st12iker]

As a future data scientist I would like insight into the theoretical aspects of data mining. This is advantageous in that when new material arises I can comprehend the literature. As such, I am planning on taking machine learning courses (not only for machine learning sake...)

I hear the "bible" of data mining is this book:
The elements of statistical learning by Trevore Hasite
[url] http://www.amazon.com/The-Elements-Statistical-Learning-Prediction/dp/0387848576/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365644552&sr=8-1&keywords=elements+of+statistical+learning[/url]

However this book is written at a far advanced level than I can comprehend. So I intend on "leaping" my way towards it.

First I start with
Machine Learning by Tom Mitchell as an introduction to machine learning.
[url]http://www.amazon.com/Machine-Learning-Tom-M-Mitchell/dp/0070428077/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365644754&sr=1-1&keywords=Machine+Learning+by+Tom+Mitchell[/url]

Then I move to
Pattern Classification by Duda ... is this book an intro to the theory of data mining?
[url]http://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Classification-2nd-Richard-Duda/dp/0471056693/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365644781&sr=1-1&keywords=Pattern+Classification+by+Duda
[/url]

Then to
Machine Learning and Pattern Classification by Christopher Bishop (Can I skip this?)
[url]http://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Recognition-Learning-Information-Statistics/dp/0387310738/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365644815&sr=1-1&keywords=Machine+Learning+and+Pattern+Classification+by+Christopher+Bishop[/url]

Then finally to the Elements of Statistical Learning Book by Hastie.

Sound plan?

Thank you for your time and help in advance

[phil123]

To explain data mining from a computer science perspective, I think that the two best books on data mining are:

"Introduction to data mining" by Tan, Steinbach and Kumar. It is well-explained. You can get two or three sample chapters from the book website.

"Data Mining Concept and Techniques" by Han, Kamber and Pei. This one is more like an encyclopedia of data mining. It talks about a lot of subjects but does not go too much into details. It can be use to get a glimpse of all the main topics in data mining and as a reference book.

But if you are looking at data mining from the statistical perspective, perhaps they are not the best books for you.

[editor]

Does not matter which books you start with -
Elements of Statistical Learning is very good book but more theoretical than others.

I also like Weka 3 book and
Learning from Data - see http://work.caltech.edu/telecourse

But the most important thing - you cannot learn data mining from books - you need to do projects or competitions.