Customer Rating: 
Summary: Concepts that crop up in surprising places
Comment: This is a clear and well-written history of the origins of modern game theory. It's central figure is John Von Neumann, but many of the 20th century's most important thinkers pop up in the process. This was an excellent introduction for the layman, such as myself, interested in game theory analysis of the dilemmas posed by strategic decisions that must be made in the face of incomplete information. Whether it provides useful in everyday life is questionable, but it is an enjoyable romp nonetheless.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not his best
Comment: I liked Poundstone's Labyrinths of Reason: Paradox, Puzzles, and the Frailty of Knowledge much more than this book. I don't think Poundstone really knows how to write history or biography. He tends to pile up quotations (too often from popular newspaper and magazine articles) rather than offer any deeper sense of Von Neumann and his time. I was not entirely pleased with his presentation of game theory - it would have been much clearer had he made use of the notion of a "dominant" strategy. Some of his explanations are confusing. People interested in getting a quick understanding of what game theory is about might be better served by chapter six of Martin Hollis's The Philosophy of Social Science: An Introduction (Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy).
Customer Rating:
Summary: Layman's intro to Game Theory
Comment: I enjoyed this book and learned a lot. The author weaves the fundamentals of game theory through significant historical events. I particluarly like the examples and discussions the author presents to put the theories and dilemmas into realistic, social contexts.
Two drawbacks: the lack of a technical theorem guide or appendix; and, the way the book lacks something that ties it all together. It loses momentum when Von Neumann's story ends. The last quarter of the book is abrupt as it runs through a group of definitions that fit under the game theory umbrella.
Overall, it's a good enough balance of storytelling, logic and game theory fundamentals to recommend it to anyone interested in social theories, and the how game theory relates to political and economic policies.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good revew of game theory
Comment: This book gives a nice casual/historical review of the events surrounding game theory and parts of the cold war.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Well written for the everyday reader
Comment: As someone familiar with the concept of game theory especially the prisoner's dilemma, I found this book to be particularly informative, on a layman's level. The history/biography of Von Neumann was interesting, and the applications of theory were appropriate. If you are looking for a purely scientific read, this is not for you, but if you are looking to be able to talk about a prisoner's dilemma and have some more cultural literacy, this is a good read.
Summary: Concepts that crop up in surprising places
Comment: This is a clear and well-written history of the origins of modern game theory. It's central figure is John Von Neumann, but many of the 20th century's most important thinkers pop up in the process. This was an excellent introduction for the layman, such as myself, interested in game theory analysis of the dilemmas posed by strategic decisions that must be made in the face of incomplete information. Whether it provides useful in everyday life is questionable, but it is an enjoyable romp nonetheless.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not his best
Comment: I liked Poundstone's Labyrinths of Reason: Paradox, Puzzles, and the Frailty of Knowledge much more than this book. I don't think Poundstone really knows how to write history or biography. He tends to pile up quotations (too often from popular newspaper and magazine articles) rather than offer any deeper sense of Von Neumann and his time. I was not entirely pleased with his presentation of game theory - it would have been much clearer had he made use of the notion of a "dominant" strategy. Some of his explanations are confusing. People interested in getting a quick understanding of what game theory is about might be better served by chapter six of Martin Hollis's The Philosophy of Social Science: An Introduction (Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy).
Customer Rating:
Summary: Layman's intro to Game Theory
Comment: I enjoyed this book and learned a lot. The author weaves the fundamentals of game theory through significant historical events. I particluarly like the examples and discussions the author presents to put the theories and dilemmas into realistic, social contexts.
Two drawbacks: the lack of a technical theorem guide or appendix; and, the way the book lacks something that ties it all together. It loses momentum when Von Neumann's story ends. The last quarter of the book is abrupt as it runs through a group of definitions that fit under the game theory umbrella.
Overall, it's a good enough balance of storytelling, logic and game theory fundamentals to recommend it to anyone interested in social theories, and the how game theory relates to political and economic policies.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good revew of game theory
Comment: This book gives a nice casual/historical review of the events surrounding game theory and parts of the cold war.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Well written for the everyday reader
Comment: As someone familiar with the concept of game theory especially the prisoner's dilemma, I found this book to be particularly informative, on a layman's level. The history/biography of Von Neumann was interesting, and the applications of theory were appropriate. If you are looking for a purely scientific read, this is not for you, but if you are looking to be able to talk about a prisoner's dilemma and have some more cultural literacy, this is a good read.