Game Theory and Strategy (Mathematical Association of America Textbooks) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Game theory is the logical analysis of situations of conflict and cooperation..." (more)
Key Phrases: payoff polygon, optimal threat strategies, equalizing expectations, Dominance Principle, United States, Colin Colin (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Game Theory and Strategy" is an elegant, crystal-clear expository work. Philip Straffin presents the key ideas behind finite games in strategic and coalitional form, and provides many simple and intuitively appealing examples of applications to business, politics, economics, social psychology, philosophy, and evolutionary biology. Key concepts are emphasized and clearly explained. Here is a book for interested lay people, undergraduates or graduates with little knowledge of mathematics: even high-school seniors might appreciate it. -- Nature

Exercises at the end of each chapter (with answers provided in the back) and a list of references invite the reader to get actively involved. Special care has been taken in presenting interesting and diverse applications: among other things, Newcomb's problem and free will as an application to philosophy. The author has succeeded in producing an outstanding introductory textbook on game theory for an interdisciplinary audience at the college level. The reviewer has enjoyed reading it. -- Mathematical Reviews

Straffin's "Game Theory" book inspires the reader to learn more and indeed teach more about game theory. If the reader is a college professor, then she is inclined to beg to teach an introductory course on game theory just to have an excuse to use this book. On the other hand, if the reader is a student, he might just go and beg for that course to be offered. The level of most of this book is perfect for a freshman- or sophomore-level college course with students who are not afraid of basic algebra and geometry. Higher-level mathematics courses are not needed, but it helps if the reader is prepared to think mathematically and rigorously. -- The UMAP Journal

Review

'Game Theory and Strategy is an elegant, crystal-clear expository work. Key concepts are emphasized and clearly explained.' Nature

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Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: The Mathematical Association of America (September 5, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0883856379
• ISBN-13: 978-0883856376
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,579 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Introduction into Game Theory, August 2, 2002

By	mickey_moose "Mighty" (Austalia) - See all my reviews

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.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Small Book on Game Theory, October 2, 2003

By	Erik (Singapore) - See all my reviews

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!

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars anyone from social science should take a look, February 10, 2001

By	roy ho (toronto, ontario) - See all my reviews

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.