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Prisoner's Dilemma: John Von Neumann, Game Theory and the Puzzle of the Bomb
Prisoner's Dilemma: John Von Neumann, Game Theory and the Puzzle of the Bomb

Paperback
Edition: 1st Anchor Books Ed
Author: William Poundstone
Publisher: Anchor Books
Release Date: January 1993
ISBN-10: 038541580X
ISBN-13: 9780385415804
List Price: £10.99
Average Customer Rating:
Score = 4.5 Score = 4.5 Score = 4.5 Score = 4.5 Score = 4.5
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Customer Reviews
Average Customer Rating: Score = 4.5 Score = 4.5 Score = 4.5 Score = 4.5 Score = 4.5

Directly Related To What You Already Know
 Customer Rating:  Score = 5 Score = 5 Score = 5 Score = 5 Score = 5
The enjoyment, or perhaps the utility you'll find with this book, will be directly related to how much you know about Game Theory prior to this read. This book spends, as much time on history and biography as it does on what Game Theory is about, so this work would seem to be most appropriate to those who are new to the material. I had only basic understanding of Game Theory from other books I had read, within which this field of study was mentioned, so for me the book was very worthwhile. The historical and biographic aspects of the book were not new, so there were of less interest to me.

Math need not be a passion for this book to be understood and enjoyed. The various games that are explained and, "played", for the reader actually utilize little in the way of math. Game Theory in practice is about the number of participants, the choices they have, how the games should rationally be played, and how there are played when people replace theory. The results of these games are applicable to daily life, whether it explains how a network will decide the placement of their commercials, why a person will stand in a line of unknown length, or pay more than the true value of an item (like a dollar bill). Peoples behavior often crosses from the irrational to the absurd, and many of these games will point out courses of action almost all readers will have taken at one time or another, when the rational decision was the opposite of what they chose to do.

The book is also a good primer for further reading on Bertrand Russell, John Nash the subject of the movie, "A Beautiful Mind", and John von Neumann, who many considered the most brilliant man alive during his career, and many other great scientists of the 20th Century. There is also review of the development of both the atomic and hydrogen bombs, and the very surprising groups of people that either supported their development and use, and those that were diametrically opposed. There is also some discussion on how Game Theory was and is used to make decisions on a global scale, and also where Game Theory falls short of some of its initial promise.

You will most likely enjoy following "The Prisoner's Dilemma, The Stag Hunt, The Dollar Auction, and So Long Sucker", the last of which often was alleged to have spouses leave the scene of the game is separate cabs. Any one who is inquisitive will enjoy the book, and may be motivated to pursue a variety of its topics further.

An excellent book, introducing game theory effectively.
 Customer Rating:  Score = 5 Score = 5 Score = 5 Score = 5 Score = 5
This book has been a constant reference for me since I bought it in 1993. It complements such classics as Dawkins' "The Selfish Gene", and Axelrod's "The Evolution of Cooperation". Provides an analytical basis for understanding the development of "society".

The biographical notes on Von Neumann are historically interesting, and provide an elegant counterpoint to the technical material. The alternation of chapters between the two threads is well-done.


A great read
 Customer Rating:  Score = 4 Score = 4 Score = 4 Score = 4 Score = 4
I read this a few years back. I found it a good mix of theory and history. After reading it I felt I knew John von Neumann better and also knew why TIT FOR TAT is such a good strategy for iterated games. The latter helped when reading texts on altruistic behaviour in animals.

It motivated me to buy a text book on game theory - so it must have been good.


A good introduction to both game theory and von Neumann
 Customer Rating:  Score = 4 Score = 4 Score = 4 Score = 4 Score = 4
This should be of interest to both readers concerned with Cold War policy and the development of game theory. Poundstone is one of the more gifted writers (at least regarding narrative skills) to address game theory, an often perplexingly technical subject, offering an interesting, fairly comprehensive introduction to the subject without becoming mired in its more technical aspects. And his characterization of von Neumann, an interesting intellect, is able and compelling.

The life of von Neumann and applications of game theory
 Customer Rating:  Score = 5 Score = 5 Score = 5 Score = 5 Score = 5
A clear presentation of the prisoner's and other dilemmas, as well as some basic components of game theory. It also provides insight into the life and times of John von Neumann.

























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