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Game Theory: Understanding the Mathematics of Life
Brian Clegg was always fascinated by Isaac Asimov's classic Foundation series of books, in which the future is predicted using sophisticated mathematical modelling of human psychology and behaviour.
Only much later did he realise that Asimov's 'psychohistory' had a real-world game theory.
Originating in the study of probabilistic gambling games that depend on a random source—the throw of a dice or the toss of a coin—game theory soon came to be applied to human essentially, what was the best strategy to win, whatever you were doing? Its mathematical techniques have been applied, with varying degrees of wisdom, to fields such as economics, evolution and questions such as how to win a nuclear war.
Clegg delves into game theory's colourful history and significant findings and shows what we can all learn from this oft-misunderstood field of study.
Only much later did he realise that Asimov's 'psychohistory' had a real-world game theory.
Originating in the study of probabilistic gambling games that depend on a random source—the throw of a dice or the toss of a coin—game theory soon came to be applied to human essentially, what was the best strategy to win, whatever you were doing? Its mathematical techniques have been applied, with varying degrees of wisdom, to fields such as economics, evolution and questions such as how to win a nuclear war.
Clegg delves into game theory's colourful history and significant findings and shows what we can all learn from this oft-misunderstood field of study.
Audible Audio
Published April 21, 2022
86 people are currently reading
462 people want to read
About the author
Brian Clegg
161books3,082followersBrian's latest books, Ten Billion Tomorrows and How Many Moons does the Earth Have are now available to pre-order. He has written a range of other science titles, including the bestselling Inflight Science, The God Effect, Before the Big Bang, A Brief History of Infinity, Build Your Own Time Machine and Dice World.
Along with appearances at the Royal Institution in London he has spoken at venues from Oxford and Cambridge Universities to Cheltenham Festival of Science, has contributed to radio and TV programmes, and is a popular speaker at schools. Brian is also editor of the successful book review site and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Brian has Masters degrees from Cambridge University in Natural Sciences and from Lancaster University in Operational Research, a discipline originally developed during the Second World War to apply the power of mathematics to warfare. It has since been widely applied to problem solving and decision making in business.
Brian has also written regular columns, features and reviews for numerous publications, including Nature, The Guardian, PC Week, Computer Weekly, Personal Computer World, The Observer, Innovative Leader, Professional Manager, BBC History, Good Housekeeping and House Beautiful. His books have been translated into many languages, including German, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Polish, Turkish, Norwegian, Thai and even Indonesian.
Along with appearances at the Royal Institution in London he has spoken at venues from Oxford and Cambridge Universities to Cheltenham Festival of Science, has contributed to radio and TV programmes, and is a popular speaker at schools. Brian is also editor of the successful book review site and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Brian has Masters degrees from Cambridge University in Natural Sciences and from Lancaster University in Operational Research, a discipline originally developed during the Second World War to apply the power of mathematics to warfare. It has since been widely applied to problem solving and decision making in business.
Brian has also written regular columns, features and reviews for numerous publications, including Nature, The Guardian, PC Week, Computer Weekly, Personal Computer World, The Observer, Innovative Leader, Professional Manager, BBC History, Good Housekeeping and House Beautiful. His books have been translated into many languages, including German, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Polish, Turkish, Norwegian, Thai and even Indonesian.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 5, 2022
I’d probably give this a 3.25 if I could. For context, I’ve taken doctoral level game theory at a top state university. This is a solid layperson introduction to the topic. The author does a good job of avoiding getting overly technical for the most part. The main gripe I have is the book seems to veer off into odd tangents at many points. In a really long and thorough treatment of a topic, this would be more understandable. However, this book is 152 pages and these detours are just a bit odd and confusing. The author also seemingly disregards some concepts like sunk costs during some of the discussion later in the book.
Overall, if you want to learn about game theory in an easy to understand way this is not a bad option for doing so.
Overall, if you want to learn about game theory in an easy to understand way this is not a bad option for doing so.
December 13, 2024
Some light reading…attempting to comprehend the mathematics of life
September 27, 2024
أمثلة الكتاب بسيطة وتتناول ألعابًا قد تكون قد لعبتها من قبل، ولكنك ربما لم تركز على خفايا تلك الألعاب التي تعتمد على الحظ، وما وراءها من احتمالات يمكن حسابها بالإحصاءات الرياضية. يمكن فهم تركيز الكتاب على الألعاب كبوابة لبناء نظريات حول السيناريوهات التي تحكم حياة البشر، كون الإنسان هو الكائن الوحيد على الكوكب الذي يستمر في ممارسة اللعب طوال حياته، ولا يقتصر الأمر على مرحلة الطفولة كما هو الحال مع صغار الحيوانات. ولذلك، قد يختصر بعض البشر حياتهم بأنها "لعبة" تخضع لاستراتيجية معينة، وقد يسير فيها البعض دون أدنى تخطيط. هذا الأمر لا ينطبق فقط على الأفراد، بل يمتد تأثيره ليشمل مصير العائلة، والمجتمع، والعالم ككل، من خلال القرارات السياسية، والاقتصادية، وكافة مناحي الحياة.
October 31, 2024
My interest in game theory stems from John Nash himself, so I was glad that this introduction touched on Nash and his pioneering work. However, I felt the book promised more than it delivered. It claimed to offer an understanding of "the mathematics of life," but at just 152 pages, it fell short of this ambitious goal. Instead of providing deep insights or compelling real-life applications, it seemed to merely skim over various ideas without diving into them fully.
Also how Nash’s psychiatric disorder was explained wasn’t entirely accurate. He did not “unexpectedly completely recover�
Also how Nash’s psychiatric disorder was explained wasn’t entirely accurate. He did not “unexpectedly completely recover�
April 5, 2023
A good primer or refresher on game theory. Very concise and easy to read. I didn’t think I’d be interested in the mechanics of auctions or bidding wars but here we are. 4 stars.
July 12, 2023
Simple and easy to understand introduction to Game Theory. I bought this book purely out of interest but after reading it, realised it almost mirrors exactly the introductory course on microeconomics I took at university.
Clegg takes the reader through the mathematics of basic game theory, heavily utilising the prisoner's dilemma experiment as well as explaining the important concepts such as expected values, Nash equilibrium and Pareto efficiency. Complimenting the theory, the author also discusses the history and application of Game Theory from the tragedy of the commons, to nuclear warfare and the designing of auctions. In his attempt to contextualise, the author does occasionally delve too much into explaining unrelated points which can be confusing.
Would recommend to anyone who has cursory interest in Game Theory and this book may be of use to students being introduced to the theory or subjects in which it is applied such as economics.
Clegg takes the reader through the mathematics of basic game theory, heavily utilising the prisoner's dilemma experiment as well as explaining the important concepts such as expected values, Nash equilibrium and Pareto efficiency. Complimenting the theory, the author also discusses the history and application of Game Theory from the tragedy of the commons, to nuclear warfare and the designing of auctions. In his attempt to contextualise, the author does occasionally delve too much into explaining unrelated points which can be confusing.
Would recommend to anyone who has cursory interest in Game Theory and this book may be of use to students being introduced to the theory or subjects in which it is applied such as economics.
January 16, 2023
Solid, quick introductory explanation of game theory, its applications, and the major historical contributors to the field's mathematical foundations.
December 10, 2022
It’s ok as an introduction to concepts in game theory, but it takes random directions and doesn’t flow well.
Better off reading about game theory on Wikipedia or watch some videos/online lectures to learn about it
Better off reading about game theory on Wikipedia or watch some videos/online lectures to learn about it
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August 6, 2022I don't recommend the audio book as too many figures are referenced. Otherwise a basic overview of game theory and applications in life.
July 14, 2024
From COVID tests to bandwidth auctions, Clegg explains the real-life applications of game theory, simplifying the mathematics used in them and writing about how strategies can be optimised.
He gave explanations about the prisoner's dilemma and mutually assured destruction, and the inner-workings of the brilliant minds making decisions using this knowledge. With references to pop-culture such as the idea of a game of "chicken" used in films such as Grease and problems posed by game shows such as the Monty Hall Problem.
It soon became clear that there are many ways to approach "game" problems, but often once your opponent is aware of your strategy, it becomes obsolete (less so in the case of zero-sum problems), as well as how it can often be more beneficial to cooperate than "renegate".
He gave explanations about the prisoner's dilemma and mutually assured destruction, and the inner-workings of the brilliant minds making decisions using this knowledge. With references to pop-culture such as the idea of a game of "chicken" used in films such as Grease and problems posed by game shows such as the Monty Hall Problem.
It soon became clear that there are many ways to approach "game" problems, but often once your opponent is aware of your strategy, it becomes obsolete (less so in the case of zero-sum problems), as well as how it can often be more beneficial to cooperate than "renegate".
November 8, 2023
Excellent and concise review of game theory and how we can use it to better manage our lives. From the 'tragedy of commons' to MAD 'mutually assured destruction' there is something here for everyone. I especially enjoyed the historical beginnings and Daniel Bernoulli's concepts of expected value and utility. While we moved quickly from John van Neumann's mixed strategy in zero sum games and on to John Nash's "equilibrium' and the free rider concept, it was not without tripping over a few goats from the Monte Hall problem. Marylin Savant? How do you come up with names like this?
August 2, 2022
An excellent introduction into game theory. This outlines some of the major thoughts, discussions, as well as the history of the various mathematicians who developed the games and ideas sprinkled throughout.
If you are interested in this subject and want a refresher, or you are about to embark on a GT intro course, then I would recommend this book.
If you are interested in this subject and want a refresher, or you are about to embark on a GT intro course, then I would recommend this book.
August 20, 2023
This is a dry but fairly useful if not very comprehensive introduction to a branch of math and science that effects games (obviously), sports, economics, and other aspects of life.
2.5 stars, but rounding up to 3 stars here to give the benefit of the doubt that this might just not work as an audiobook.
2.5 stars, but rounding up to 3 stars here to give the benefit of the doubt that this might just not work as an audiobook.
May 23, 2024
Pretty good intro and high level overview to game theory. Nash has a great story, had to go and watch A Beautiful Mind after reading this. Although I watched some of Nash's lectures on Youtube and it was very interesting to hear him speaking about how currency got introduced and how it's evolved over time. This book wasn't about Nash but mentions the Nash Equilibrium and such!
January 13, 2025
Interesting and enjoyed it but was hoping for something a bit more in-depth when I bought this book. This felt like more of an introduction to game theory. A lot of emphasis was put on terminology, but I feel common sense explanations to the various games would have been sufficient - would have been better if there were more complex scenarios / games discussed too.
June 29, 2022
A good overview of game theory its applications and misapplication. Its a interesting way to look at the world and I enjoyed learning how it is applied to auctions etc to maximize outcomes. The author does a good job explaining a tough subject, and uses enough examples to get the point across.
July 9, 2022
It's a tad hard to listen to on the go as an audio book with the need for reference tables and charts.
It gets a bit hard to follow at points and I've done the majority of the math at uni so I'd be concerned at the difficulty for someone who hasn't done higher math.
It gets a bit hard to follow at points and I've done the majority of the math at uni so I'd be concerned at the difficulty for someone who hasn't done higher math.
January 2, 2024
This was great, 4.5/5. The first chapter was a bit slow to get started but by the end I was wishing for more. Excellent for fans of 3b1b or people who love nonfiction like The Paradox of Choice - Barry Schwartz.
September 8, 2024
Accessible introduction to game theory which goes more into the mathematical/ economic concepts than most social science books. Short and easy to read - but just an introduction, doesn't go into any huge depth on a particular topic.
April 7, 2025
Kaip įvadas į žaidimų teoriją - neblogai, bet ir tai jis labiau sukoncentruotas į tam tikras žaidimų teorijos dalis (kaip aukcionai), nei į bendrą apžvalgą. O kur čia "mathematics of life" taip ir nesupratau be kelių beveik gyvenimiškų pavyzdžių.
April 26, 2022
Waste of time. No usable knowledge.
June 17, 2022
Goodread. To the point. I was distracted while listening to this book, need relisten it.
Go ahead and read it if you are interested in this subject.
Go ahead and read it if you are interested in this subject.
August 14, 2022
A decent primer with contemporary examples, keeping the complexity of the maths to a minimum.
January 28, 2023
Game Theory is a thought ful book. I learned a lot from the audio and enjoyed listening to it.
March 5, 2023
A good introduction to the topic.
March 8, 2023
3.5*
Very interesting and easy to digest dive into the idea of Game Theory. Fun examples and problems. Good read for the subject.
Very interesting and easy to digest dive into the idea of Game Theory. Fun examples and problems. Good read for the subject.
March 30, 2023
A good overview with examples.
November 6, 2023
It was a mistake to listen to this on audiobook. Need to reread the physical edition.
December 23, 2023
A good read for a normal person. By design, it is a bit light on the actual mathematics.
December 30, 2023
Starts off pretty good and interesting, but soon becomes too repetitive.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
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