Game Theory: A Nontechnical Introduction

Game Theory: A Nontechnical Introduction
by Morton D. Davis

Game Theory: A Nontechnical Introduction
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Book Summary Information

Author: Morton D. Davis
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1997-07-01
ISBN: 0486296725
Number of pages: 272
Publisher: Dover Publications

Book Reviews of Game Theory: A Nontechnical Introduction

Book Review: Excellent introduction to Game Theory
Summary: 5 Stars

Morton D. Davis' 'Game Theory - A Nontechnical Introduction' brilliantly achieves the author's objective of presenting the reader with a concise introduction to game theory, a branch of applied mathematics that deals with decision-making and return maximization. The text is pleasant to read and provides clear, intuitive explanations as well as plenty of examples from several non-related fields such as evolutionary biology, philosophy, military strategy, political science and marketing.

Davis starts the book with very simple 2-person, zero-sum games with equilibrium points and progresses to games without equilibrium points, non-zero-sum games, and n-person games. He provides factual examples of game theory in social interactions and political strategy, describes (conceptually, almost without any formula) Nash's bargaining model, Pareto optimization, symmetric games, Rapoport's `Tit-for-Tat' solution to the prisoner's dilemma and ends the book with the von Neumann-Morgenstern and Aumann-Maschler solutions to n-person games and the Shapley-Shubik index of power. What is special about this book is that Davis effectively communicates complex models to non-technical readers in an enjoyable manner.

As an improvement from the first edition (1969/1970, with foreword by Oskar Morgenstern) the author now introduces a set of real-life problems at the start of each chapter, and provides the reader with an opportunity to apply intuitive thinking and try to solve them. After being presented with new concepts and models, the reader can compare the new results with the ones found before - this makes the book even friendlier and provides insights on how apparently simple problems can deceive our common sense.

Morton D. Davis also wrote `The Art of Decision Making' (ISBN: 038796228X, 1986), `The Math of Money' (ISBN: 0387950788, 2001) and a research paper called `One Equation to Rule Them All' (RAND Corporation research memorandum) about the application of recursive function theory to Hilbert's tenth problem.

Summary of Game Theory: A Nontechnical Introduction

Fascinating, accessible introduction to enormously important intellectual system with numerous applications to social, economic, political problems. Newly revised edition offers overview of game theory, then lucid coverage of the two-person zero-sum game with equilibrium points; the general, two-person zero-sum game; utility theory; other topics. Problems at start of each chapter.

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