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

by William Poundstone (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
RRP: £10.99
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Price For All Three: £33.43

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Product details

  • Paperback: 294 pages
  • Publisher: Anchor Books; 1st Anchor Books Ed edition (1 Jan 1993)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 038541580X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385415804
  • Product Dimensions: 20.2 x 13.2 x 2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 20,570 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #27 in  Books > Computing & Internet > Computer Science > Information Systems
    #36 in  Books > Biography > Science, Mathematics & Technology > Science
    #59 in  Books > Study Books > Professional > Computing > Computer Science

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Product Description

Review
"Both a fascinating biography of von Neumann, the Hungarian exile whose mathematical theories were building blocks for the A-bomb and the digital computer, and a brilliant social history of game theory and its role in the Cold War and nuclear arms race."--"San Francisco Chronicle"

Synopsis
Reprint of the fine biography first published by Doubleday in 1992. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

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Customer Reviews

6 Reviews
5 star:
 (4)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Directly Related To What You Already Know, 17 Dec 2002
By taking a rest - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   
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.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A great read, 13 May 2000
By A Customer
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.

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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book, introducing game theory effectively., 31 May 2000
By A Customer
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.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction to both game theory and von Neumann
This should be of interest to both readers concerned with Cold War policy and the development of game theory. Read more
Published on 27 Jul 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars The life of von Neumann and applications of game theory
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.
Published on 18 Mar 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars A primer on game theory and how it was developed
A simple introduction to game theory through the lives of the people that developed it. A very interesting biography of Von Neuman, his views on politics and his influence in Cold... Read more
Published on 6 Sep 1996

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