Scan barcode
bookook's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
An interesting introduction the game theory and John von Neumann. Some parts are more interesting than others - the chapters describing the Cold War as a prisoner's dilemma or game of chicken were fascinating, but large swaths (including the last 3 chapters) were very dry and tedious. They felt like lists of different dilemmas and strategies. Overall fine, but wouldn't recommend or read again.
adnielsen's review against another edition
5.0
This is a fantastic read that primarily covers three topics: the life of 20th century mathematical genius, John von Neumann, the development of game theory (with the help of von Neumann), and the issue of nuclear proliferation (featuring both von Neumann and game theory). All three topics are presented in interesting and easy to understand language. Even the topics in game theory didn’t use too much math. Highly recommended.
eroston's review against another edition
Poundstone winds a von Neumann biography, history of the bomb, and a history of game theory into one package. It works. It's also a nice reminder of simpler times, when one person could know everything, when the world was bipolar, and game theory was stuck in binary oppositions, too.
txas's review against another edition
3.0
I revered von Neumann and thougut game theory was important. I read this book and found out how flawed both are. Very interesting.
rory_john14's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Toxic relationship, War, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Genocide, Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Addiction, Forced institutionalization, and Confinement
garybake's review against another edition
5.0
A really good history of the legend that is John von Neumann, game theory and the cold war.
It covers a lot of how game theory progressed and the applications to the on going changes with US/Russian relations.
If I could knock half a point off because of the slow last chapter I would, but I can't. Still a totally worthwhile read though.
I'm still waiting on a proper full Von Neumann biography. If anybody knows one, give me a shout!
It covers a lot of how game theory progressed and the applications to the on going changes with US/Russian relations.
If I could knock half a point off because of the slow last chapter I would, but I can't. Still a totally worthwhile read though.
I'm still waiting on a proper full Von Neumann biography. If anybody knows one, give me a shout!
teegee's review against another edition
3.0
I never get tired of reading anecdotes of John von Neumann's mind. After two hours of RAND scientists pleading von Neumann to design a more powerful computer in order to solve a problem they deemed too complex for their current computer, von Neumann said "Gentlemen, you don't need a new computer. I have just solved the problem." Legendary.
The prisoner's dilemma is frustratingly vexing. I can only draw a few conclusions:
1) If we each were willing to be made a fool, none would be foolish at all.
2) Individual interests too easily topple the collective good.
3) The only "solution" to the prisoner's dilemma is to avoid prisoner's dilemmas.
tit for tat feels reasonable, but someone's gotta stop tatting
278p
The prisoner's dilemma is frustratingly vexing. I can only draw a few conclusions:
1) If we each were willing to be made a fool, none would be foolish at all.
2) Individual interests too easily topple the collective good.
3) The only "solution" to the prisoner's dilemma is to avoid prisoner's dilemmas.
tit for tat feels reasonable, but someone's gotta stop tatting
278p
aqtbenz's review against another edition
4.0
This was fascinating, and a good change of pace from what I normally read. If only it weren’t so applicable to our current state of the world...