Game Theory and Strategy (Mathematical Association of America Textbooks)

• #11 in Best Game Theory Books

7 Reviews

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This book is designed to be easy to read. Mathematical maturity is almost irrelevant. This is a book written by a good mathematician, about how society, not mathematics. It is rare that a mathematician can write well about such a topic. Dr. Straffin did it very well. One might almost think that he is an English professor who is "translating" what a mathematics professor is lecturing. Moreover, Dr. Straffin is not lecturing how social scientists should conduct their studies. Instead, he is sharing his "mathematical lens" with the audience to view this world. After reading this book, one who has little experience with mathematics should feel that mathematics is not dry, dull and meaningless. The author is trying to show us with examples that mathematics is not only about particles, rockets and other "dead boring things." Mathematics is a tool for us understand this world, the part of the world with human beings in the story.

I found this book to be a very enjoyable read, covering the most interesting ideas in game theory and how they have impacted on other sciences from biology to sociology.
Almost no mathematical knowledge is required, because the text focuses on the ideas not the math.
Even if you want to learn about Game Theory including the mathematical foundation, I recommend to read this book first. It will wet your appetite for Game Theory and show the breath of ideas and applications.

I planned to do a talk on the subject of the mathematics of a particular game, called Snood, and I had to learn Game Theory quickly to do so. This book explains things well, and the exercises, while easy enough to do in my head, still cement everything very well so that I can honestly say that I have a solid understanding of the subject even though I just picked up a single book.

Very good.

I read a couple of books on game theory. This is one of the better books... but it also has one small advantage... it's small. I carry it almost everywhere and read its short chapters (another advantage) without getting too tired. It's also quite difficult to get tired reading the book as the author keeps his explanations fairly simple, lively, and to the point.

A good spread of topics and examples too!

I found this book accessible when I first read it in 9th grade, and I still find it fascinating today as a soon-to-be grad student in math.

This is a good first book about game theory for those who are not afraid of math but not mathematically inclined. The book is full of math but the simple explanations and the way the author builds up to the theory makes it simple to follow.

I actually bought this copy for my library. I had used this book in college but had borrowed that copy from a friend.

Game theory is an area of mathematics that has a very short history; it began with the publication of the classic book, "Theory of Games and Economic Behavior" by John von Neumann and Oskar Morgenstern in 1944. It is a very dynamic field, having applications ranging from parlor games to economic competition to potential warfare between nations. Straffin covers all of these areas in a manner accessible to anyone with a mathematical bent.
To me, the most interesting games are those that rely on the unpredictability of human behavior and there is nothing better to illustrate this than the prisoner's dilemma. Two criminals are captured and kept in separate rooms. If both keep silent, there is no evidence against them and they are released, but if one talks and the other doesn't the talker gets a reward and the silent one gets two years. If both confess, then each gets one year. In the standard model, the fear of being the fall guy causes both to confess, even though it is to their mutual advantage for both to keep silent. Straffin covers this situation in detail.
As some of the examples point out, free markets, where each participant pursues their self-interest are not always the most efficient way to allocate resources or make decisions. Cooperation between the participants where each gets something less than the potential optimal can be the superior way to make decisions. This occurs when the payoff is high when only a few can take advantage but is negative or low if all try to take advantage.
There is no area of mathematics that can match the fascinating consequences of game theory. It is about the complex interactions between humans, both individually and in groups. In my opinion, it is impossible to understand sociology if you lack understanding of basic game theory. This book is the best place to acquire that understanding.