Prisoner’s Dilemma: John Von Neumann, Game Theory and the Puzzle of the Bomb by William Poundstone (PDF)

Description

A masterful work of science writing that’s “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). Should you watch public television without pledging?…Exceed the posted speed limit?…Hop a subway turnstile without paying? These questions illustrate the so-called “prisoner’s dilemma”, a social puzzle that we all face every day. Though the answers may seem simple, their profound implications make the prisoner’s dilemma one of the great unifying concepts of science. Watching players bluff in a poker game inspired John von Neumann—father of the modern computer and one of the sharpest minds of the century—to construct game theory, a mathematical study of conflict and deception. Game theory was readily embraced at the RAND Corporation, the archetypical think tank charged with formulating military strategy for the atomic age, and in 1950 two RAND scientists made a momentous discovery.Called the “prisoner’s dilemma,” it is a disturbing and mind-bending game where two or more people may betray the common good for individual gain. Introduced shortly after the Soviet Union acquired the atomic bomb, the prisoner’s dilemma quickly became a popular allegory of the nuclear arms race. Intellectuals such as von Neumann and Bertrand Russell joined military and political leaders in rallying to the “preventive war” movement, which advocated a nuclear first strike against the Soviet Union. Though the Truman administration rejected preventive war the United States entered into an arms race with the Soviets and game theory developed into a controversial tool of public policy—alternately accused of justifying arms races and touted as the only hope of preventing them. Prisoner’s Dilemma is the incisive story of a revolutionary idea that has been hailed as a landmark of twentieth-century thought.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐The book is good, the quality is okay

⭐The book intertwines three totally different subjects and to a degree that works well.The book’s take on historic cold war events is superficial. However, the discussion is more than simply the backdrop discussion. One gets some strange insights into the thinking of many who shaped the world. However, as with the other subjects, one is left wanting more.The focus on Van Neumann often appears needless. One is never clear, despite heavy assertions, why he should be considered a cut above the rest of the great innovators in the game theory field the way Einstein is in the field of relativity. This is not to doubt Van Neumann’s leading role or superiority but the book somehow never substantiates enough despite amusing anecdotes and many tales involving him.On the key game theories, the book excels. For those more interested, the treatment would appear superficial. But few who are not experts won’t walk away with some amazing insights. The real life connections are good. And the treatment is neither too simplistic nor excessively technical.For anyone uninitiated on the subject, the book is a great start despite all the imperfections.

⭐I do not have enough words of praise for this book. It so masterfully weaves together numerous areas of human interest. Who knew that game theory could be applied so broadly?The book is centered largely around the use of game theory during the cold war, and the life of John Von Neuman, but makes numerous other connections. For example, the parallel to the economic dilemma of “the Free Rider Problem” is discussed. Cooperation, as an evolutionary necessity, is talked about. The psychology of decision making is a focus. Most interesting was the connection that different styles of playing has to ones political views.I found myself pausing every few pages to absorb and integrate what was written into my world view. This is not a book that merely entertains — it is a book that influences.

⭐The essay is very rich of information about the prisoner’s dilemma. This game is similar to other typical evens of the Greek logics.But this reconstruction is very large, in fact the first applications are by von Neumann in relation to the militar context.The resolution of this game found easy applications in the II world war.Next, we observe particularly the Axerold contribute, who tried an algorithm for the solution, without particular subcess.The game model is standard, but we can apply a recursive action for having several steps.

⭐Good explanation of reason and logic.I would have liked a clear explanation of the impossibility ofproving a negativeJohn

⭐I have had the original book on game theory by John Von Neumann and Oskar Morgenstern which is 600 + pages of dense math for many years. This book is more about the people involved with enough math to make the theories understandable. If you are into dense math you can start here and go on. If not you will probably start and stop here which is quite ok.

⭐The book is a history of von Niewman and how game theory was used than a book about what game theory is and can be used.

⭐Fairly readable book with a lot of background information. Not exactly what I expected. It outlines all sort of games and their histories but focusing more on the histories. Also talks about how the game situation shows up in different places. If you are interested in trivia around J. von Neumann and others, this book is for you. If you want to get an idea of what game theory is about without ANY math, this might be okay. But not the book to learn anything substantial about game theory. I guess thats the purpose, its just not my expectation.

⭐An insightful and interesting read about a period of history and scientific development of which I was previously and relatively unaware. I’d recommend this book.

⭐Good introduction to history and application of game theory

⭐this is a decent introduction to game theory, the cold war and the life of John Von Neumann. it starts off well enough and is interesting enough but it soon becomes a little boring if your not that bothered by the cold war. The information on game theory and prisoners dilema is interesting, but it all gets a little samey. Not bad, but seems to run out of steam.

⭐Amazon charged Rs 853 for this book, but when I received the book, the MRP mentioned on the book was Rs. 599.The quality of the book (cover, paper) is so flimsy that it looks like a sloppy, pirated copy.The number of pages also do not match that in the description. All in all, it’s a breach of trust.

⭐Untermauert wird dieses Buch mit äußerst interessanten Quellen, unter anderem Briefen aus dem weißen Haus, die es erlauben sich etwas in die Paradoxität des kalten Krieges und der damaligen Thinktanks hinein zu versetzen, absolutes Muss!

⭐

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