For example, the histogram in Fig. 34-2b was generated by taking a large number of samples from a computer random number generator. These particular numbers follow a normal distribution with a mean of five and a standard deviation of three
The author refers to the distribution of values in the text. That graph is the distribution of leading digits of those values. It doesn't follow that the first digits would also be a normal distribution.
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For example, the histogram in Fig. 34-2b was generated by taking a large number of samples from a computer random number generator. These particular numbers follow a normal distribution with a mean of five and a standard deviation of three
Eh? Shouldn't this be a uniform distribution?
Yes. It's amusing how this is a prime example of a person 'seeing' a normal distribution where there is none.
The author refers to the distribution of values in the text. That graph is the distribution of leading digits of those values. It doesn't follow that the first digits would also be a normal distribution.
It depends on the RNG you are using. But I agree - it's highly unlikely he picked up one that generates a normal distribution by accident.