No Limit Hold 'em: Theory and Practice
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • this is a beginner's book
  • Book needs more practice and less theory
  • Good theory poker book
  • Great Read for Serious Players Only
  • pick one up
No Limit Hold 'em: Theory and Practice
David Sklansky , and Ed Miller
Manufacturer: Two Plus Two Publishing LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 188068537X

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars this is a beginner's book.......2007-08-01

See Wookborm's review for a more complete discussion of what is wrong here. I don't mind beginner's books, but they should be marketed as such. I think you'll be hard pressed to find anything new in this book, if you have spent any time reading up on no-limit on any of the popular online forums. Mastery of the material in this book does not look sufficient to beat the 25 cent big blind game online. I could only recommend it if you have no other no-limit book at all; but then, why not buy Harrington volume 1 or something else? This book is superfluous. I felt ripped off.

3 out of 5 stars Book needs more practice and less theory.......2007-05-31

This book gets a three star rating because it does some things very well whilst omitting some critical details. The first portion of the book talks about bet sizing. It gives some very practical advice about how much to bet to encourage your opponents to make mistakes, how much to bet when bluffing, how to size your "blocking bets", how much to bet preflop and so forth. This section is excellent.

Some of the other topics are covered in a rather haphazard manner. In the check raising chapter, he covers the very specific case of check raising heads up on the river. For other situations, the book says "Only expert players recognize the best opportunities for the play...A book really can't do the subject justice". Sometimes the calculations are based on figures that in real life are simply prohibitively difficult to obtain. One example begins "So if you have one chance in three of stacking your opponent if you catch a straight...". How exactly one deduces the probability of stacking an opponent when you river your straight is never quite explained, perhaps because it falls into the "A book can't really do the subject justice" category. The second section of the book is titled "Concepts and Weapons" and it does provide useful and practical tips that should improve anyone's game.

The main shortcomings of the book revolve around the topics it doesn't cover. The book does not mention concepts such as pot equity and hand ranges, two ingredients that I believe are critical to today's game. Sure it's important to know how to price your opponent out of a flush draw if you're sure that is his exact holding. However, real life scenarios are rarely that simple. What happens if there is a flush draw on the board and an opponent bets into you and you suspect he's holding a flush draw half the time but will be holding top pair top kicker the other half of the time? This book does not provide the tools for dealing with this type of problem and others like it that no limit players face repeatedly on a daily basis.

To wrap up my review I will use a medieval analogy. If you're already well equipped to deal with the battle that is no limit hold em, this book will certain give you some extra weapons and patch up some holes in your defence. However, if you're looking for your sword, shield, helmet and body armour I would recommend starting with other resources.

5 out of 5 stars Good theory poker book.......2007-05-13

A very good book on poker. Be prepared to learn!

5 out of 5 stars Great Read for Serious Players Only.......2007-05-02

Read this book only if you are serious about improving your game. Sklansky did a good job in capturing into words the intuitive nuances that I have come to recognize after so many hands of playings, and take them even further to horizons I have yet to explore (and can't wait to try). It is not a book for beginner and you are expected to be somewhat a good player already to even start reading this. A "fish" would most certainly get lost within a few pages. A lot of the math in the book is probably not going to be too applicable while you're at the table, but rather just as his way of showing that the decisions are mathematically correct. There is a list of tips at the end of the book that sums up everything quite nicely. To me, the Sklansky-Chubukov rating is unheard of before and it will take me a while to digest its significance and importance in improving my play.

5 out of 5 stars pick one up.......2007-04-14

i've bought plenty of poker books and by far this is my favorite one. Beginners can read it and develope their game, while intermediate to advance players can learn these concepts and apply them to their game. If you read this book over and over and fully realize the concepts and the insight sklansky has on no limit play, you should be able to sit down at a poker table whether it be at the casino or at home game and become a confident solid player.
Winning in Tough Hold 'em Games: Short-Handed and High-Stakes Concepts and Theory for Limit Hold 'em
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great!
  • Good, but...
  • This book is a goldmine
  • Good, Heavy reading
Winning in Tough Hold 'em Games: Short-Handed and High-Stakes Concepts and Theory for Limit Hold 'em
Nick "Stoxtrader" Grudzien , and Geoff "Zobags" Herzog
Manufacturer: Two Plus Two Publishing LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1880685388
Release Date: 2007-04-01

Product Description

The recent boom of Texas hold em has forever changed the way the game is played. Many more people know how to play this game well. Even the loose players who come to gamble have become far more aggressive, making them more difficult to play against. So a basic tight and patient strategy will no longer guarantee that you can make a significant amount of money in games at the higher stakes. This is especially true short-handed, which have become increasingly popular in the online poker rooms. This text is the first to tackle the complex issues presented when playing short-handed and high-stakes limit hold em. But even if you happen to only play in softer games, many of the key concepts presented will still help you against the other good players in your game. Winning in Tough Hold em Games includes an examination of pre-flop play, covering issues at a depth of sophistication which have never appeared in print before including discussions of blind stealing, re-stealing, isolating a loose player, big blind and small blind defense, and blind versus blind play. Also covered are thorough sections on playing heads up and semi-bluffing. In addition, over 50 hands, taken from high stakes online games which were played by Stoxtrader, are presented along with appropriate discussion of the strategy involved. This book is a must read for anyone hoping to make a meaningful income from playing limit hold em. It is a serious text and should be beneficial for those of you willing to make the effort to master this material.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great! .......2007-08-14

Fascinating read. Not sure why these guys would want to share their secret, but I'm glad they did.

4 out of 5 stars Good, but..........2007-08-05

Pretty good book overall. This is narrowly targeted at higher-stakes, short-handed, limit holdem players. It has general guidelines for types of hands, and then specific guidance for particular hands. I found the general guidance and principles to be extremely good. But the particular hands to be not so relevant for the games i play. It also has lots of math in there that is only marginally useful.

5 out of 5 stars This book is a goldmine.......2007-07-06

I'm not one for writing reviews, but when I saw this book only had one to it's name, I had to say a few words.

I can honestly say this is the best book out there when it comes to beating tough 6 max online games. And I've read a lot of them!!

Stox is a genius. I've based my entire style of play on his "teachings" and I have been a successful online pro for 18 months. I hesitate to praise him too much because I don't want my opponents to get their hands on this book!!

I wont go into much detail other than to say there is a large and clearly explained section on Blinds play/defense which is a must read for any serious player. It has helped my game no end.


Flintoff 2+2

4 out of 5 stars Good, Heavy reading.......2007-05-21

This is a book by a couple of respected 2+2 er's (If you dont know what a 2+2er is then this book is not for you (yet) )

It specifically addresses tough 6 max limit games, tough, being with the explosion of internet games and the recent US gaming laws it is getting harder and harder to find what we call loose, profitable tables.

It is concise and to the point and includes alot of PT stats (if you dont know what PT is again this book is not for you) to back up their reasoning.
In conclusion the book adopts an aggressive (as you should be when playing short handed anyway) style and deep thinking analysis of every play including actual hands.

However this is not a beginner book and you should be a winning player at full ring/6 max games limit medium stakes $2/4 and above to find this book useful. it is also good for those players who have plateued and are looking to improve.
Mastering Unreal Technology: The Art of Level Design
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • A Very Helpful Book
  • Haven't Used it just yet...
  • If you want to know how to make a MOD or GAME... Get This...
  • Very good book
  • Top Notch Book!
Mastering Unreal Technology: The Art of Level Design
Jason Busby , Zak Parrish , and Joel VanEenwyk
Manufacturer: Sams
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0672326922

Book Description

Let your imagination run wild in the world of Unreal Technology. Mastering Unreal Technology: The Art of Level Design knows no boundaries as it shows you how to build custom mods, maps and levels with the Unreal engine. Its tutorial format will give you immediate results through the tips and demos provided from the industry's top level designers. Learn to create your own characters, weapons and gaming environments, as well as how to go beyond the Unreal environment and export custom elements from 3D modeling applications. A CD that contains the Unreal Engine, graphics, examples and code is also included, giving you everything you need to create custom levels in Unreal or build your own games and virtual environments. Mastering Unreal Technology will help put you on the cutting-edge of gaming technology.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars A Very Helpful Book.......2007-09-21

I am a Game Art Development student, and this book has been indespensible in aiding in my understanding of the Unreal Editor. Without this book, I'm sure that it would've taken me waaaaayyy longer to get things done than the limited time that I had. Even though the book is more expensive than the game itself, it is a must have for any aspiring modder or game creator.

4 out of 5 stars Haven't Used it just yet..........2007-08-04

I just bought this book, and although It seems like it's going to be great, my major problem is finding either Maya PLE 5.0's registration number, or Maya 7.0 PLE and its registration number.
the Autodesk site only has Maya PLE 8.5 to download and there are only plug-ins for Unreal for Maya 5.0 PLE and Maya 7.0 PLE (note: there is no version for the regular Maya)
So it kind of leaves you stuck with nothing to use. There is also nothing on the net about it either.

5 out of 5 stars If you want to know how to make a MOD or GAME... Get This..........2007-05-12

Wow, it Big, It heavy and yes my Friends it is a red Brick, But it well worth ever cent and every page. Packed full of Useful Information and Helpful Tutorials it writen with the Lamen in mind. and take you into the Skills needed to make almost a full game. The one thing it lacks is the swcripting language section. But this is forgivable as it would make the book way bigger and much more complex to read if you a new guy trying to make a few little Deathmatch levels.

4 out of 5 stars Very good book.......2007-04-10

This book is very complete and very easy to follow. Get the videos from 3dbuzz and the planetunreal tutorials and you'll be making great levels in no time.
Also great is the coverage static meshes and character production in maya and export to unrealed.

5 out of 5 stars Top Notch Book!.......2007-03-09

Anyone who wants to learn how to use the Unreal Engine should buy this bible, yes it is a bible, because without this book you would be lost, the second cd to the Unreal game which is all videos really isn't enough, this book will cover everything about the Unreal!

Definitely a good buy!
Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Returned
  • Flawed, but still worthwhile
  • A very solid basis for game design
  • An Academic who claims to be a designer. . .and then writes a book
  • INTRODUCTION to Game Design Fundamentals
Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals
Katie Salen , and Eric Zimmerman
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Games & Strategy GuidesGames & Strategy Guides | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books | Internet Games | Strategy Guides | Video Games
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ASIN: 0262240459

Book Description

As pop culture, games are as important as film or television--but game design has yet to develop a theoretical framework or critical vocabulary. In Rules of Play Katie Salen and Eric Zimmerman present a much-needed primer for this emerging field. They offer a unified model for looking at all kinds of games, from board games and sports to computer and video games. As active participants in game culture, the authors have written Rules of Play as a catalyst for innovation, filled with new concepts, strategies, and methodologies for creating and understanding games..

Building an aesthetics of interactive systems, Salen and Zimmerman define core concepts like "play," "design," and "interactivity." They look at games through a series of eighteen "game design schemas," or conceptual frameworks, including games as systems of emergence and information, as contexts for social play, as a storytelling medium, and as sites of cultural resistance.

Written for game scholars, game developers, and interactive designers, Rules of Play is a textbook, reference book, and theoretical guide. It is the first comprehensive attempt to establish a solid theoretical framework for the emerging discipline of game design.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Returned.......2007-08-09

So, this book was written by MIT faculty in an attempt to legitimize games. Their way of legitimizing games was by being as long-winded as is humanly possible.

Needless to say, this book was not very interesting in the least.

4 out of 5 stars Flawed, but still worthwhile.......2007-03-24

While I feel there are some fundamental flaws in their premises, this is still an excellent book about designing games. The issues it brings up and the approaches to thinking about them in a systematic manner are important contributions to the field of game design. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in game design - even if you disagree with the authors the book gets you thinking.

4 out of 5 stars A very solid basis for game design.......2006-02-17

I'll start with the bad aspects of the book first. It is very repetitious at times. It also tends to overanalyze some aspects of gaming and game design. That being said. I have no other ill comments about this book.

It provides a very solid design theory as well as a breadth of material to help explain its point. It also provides a lot of information on alternate sources and areas to find more information. I also find that it does complete its goal in wanting to establish a set of uniform terminology as well as some help methods and procedures to follow through in successfully designing games.

2 out of 5 stars An Academic who claims to be a designer. . .and then writes a book.......2005-11-30

Having used this book for a few semesters, I offer you this: Avoid this book, unless you too are an academic who has nothing real to offer the world of video games in terms of game design or actual game production.

If you are the same type of person that enjoys diagramming sentences or likes to discuss why other people have created artistic things in the manner they did - rather than create something yourself, then you may enjoy this.

[...] I am of the opinion that a person writing on such a topic might be better equipped to do so after having designed a few AAA titles. Then again, people like that tend to be busy working on games.

Buyer beware. I was required to buy this book and was unable to "Dodge this bullet". To each, their own.

3 out of 5 stars INTRODUCTION to Game Design Fundamentals.......2005-09-01

Rules of Play is an elaborate promotion for SiSSY FiGHT 2000. Though the cover art is cleverly composed of images from Street Fighter II and Super Mario Bros, I had the feelng of being mislead by the end of the book. Everything comes back to SiSSY FiGHT 2000.

If you have been reading the anthologies of game studies essays that have recently surfaced, this textbook offers very little new information. It would be strongly positioned as a 100 level Introduction to Game Design Fundamentals, primarily for students taking an elective course in Game Studies, who had never given the subject much thought.

This is not necessarily a negative criticism. For Game Studies readers who have already delved into most of the suggested readings (hobbyist, professional or academic), however, the material presented will likely sound generic and heavily reliant on SiSSY FiGHT 2000.

One of this book's most profound strengths is its definition of play. Though it is taken from some of Eric Zimmerman's other work ("Narrative, Interactivity, Play, and Games: Four Naughty Concepts in Need of Discipline"), the concept of play as a looseness, ambiguity or space between parts (which I believe is derived from Jaques Derrida's "Structure, Sign and Play in the Discourse of Human Sciences")is important because it clarifies the difference between "playing" and "gaming."

The book's greatest weakness is that it presents a frustrating return to board and card games. Though it is a noble persuit - granting videogames a place in Game Studies along time honored classics such as Chess, Poker, and SiSSY FiGHT 2000 - it makes for a somewhat boring read.

Note: if you haven't been reading a great deal of Game Studies books, Rules of Play is a great way to delve in and develop a fascinating reading list. Plus, it has a sexy cover.
A Course in Game Theory
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • good read for those interested
  • A Decent Survey
  • Maybe for class but not for personal exploration...
  • An essential course in game theory.
  • To much Math.
A Course in Game Theory
Martin J. Osborne , and Ariel Rubinstein
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0262650401

Book Description

A Course in Game Theory presents the main ideas of game theory at a level suitable for graduate students and advanced undergraduates, emphasizing the theory's foundations and interpretations of its basic concepts. The authors provide precise definitions and full proofs of results, sacrificing generalities and limiting the scope of the material in order to do so. The text is organized in four parts: strategic games, extensive games with perfect information, extensive games with imperfect information, and coalitional games. It includes over 100 exercises.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars good read for those interested.......2007-03-01

This book is well organized in to the topics, one of the better books on game theory and explains it in a pretty easy to follow manner.

3 out of 5 stars A Decent Survey.......2007-02-06

This book is a decent alternative to the Gibbons text (which I personally prefer). You could say this book is much more comprehensive and much more mathematical than Gibbons, though. My own opinion is that much of the game theory as described in this book is not general audience and sometimes very tedious if you are only interested in theory and not so much interested in real analysis.
If you find Gibbons to be too easy or way below your level, this book is one option. The more ideal option, though, would just be to start reading academic papers - as you are obviously ready to do so. That way you could get the knowledge first hand and wouldn't need to spend time on a very detailed second hand review of areas that may not be exactly what you are looking for.

2 out of 5 stars Maybe for class but not for personal exploration..........2003-06-02

I agree with a previous review that this book is not good for individuals. Solutions to the excersizes are only available to educators. If the book is assigned for a class and the teacher has access to the solutions and can coach the student through the excersizes this is probably a great book because of it's depth. It is probably also a good reference book for those already familar with the subject.
However if you are like me and were looking for a strong book that will help a motivated individual learn game theory this book is not for you. I have tried many of the excersizes and I am still not positive that I my answers are correct. The material in the book is very complex but accessible, that is not the problem. The problem is the lack of development because I can not go over my answers to the excersizes and see what I did right and what I did wrong...

4 out of 5 stars An essential course in game theory........2003-01-28

This was one of the first books I read in Game Theory, and definitely the hardest. Those who want a gentle introduction to the concepts of modern game theory might do better with a simpler text such as Gibbons. That said, there is no substitute for quality. The depth of analysis is entirely necessary to get to the meat of the theory.
Osborne and Rubinstein write extremely well, softening the blows of some of the more complicated concepts. Their own substantial publication records in the Game Theory literature do much to recommend their version of analysis over others.

1 out of 5 stars To much Math........2002-05-04

To much math and not easy to understand.
The Inner Game of Music
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • An absolute necessity
  • Inner Game review
  • Probably the best Inner Game book
  • inner game has more rules than stated in book!
  • Reads like a book report
The Inner Game of Music
Barry Green , and W. Timothy Gallwey
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0385231261
Release Date: 1986-02-21

Book Description

By the best-selling co-author of Inner Tennis, here's a book designed to help  musicians overcome obstacles, help improve  concentration, and reduce nervousness, allowing them to  reach new levels of performing excellence and  musical artistry.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars An absolute necessity.......2007-03-21

I had started music lessons late (piano for me, but the book can be read by any musician), had horrible habits, and played with tension. I was not exactly material for a musician. In fact, these things plagued me all my life, and even though I have two degrees in music from top schools, I always felt I was missing something; that I could play better if only something changed.

I thought I needed more finger dexterity. But I realized dexterity was not the issue; everyone can wiggle their fingers. My issue was a mental one. My inner voice (Green refers to this as Self 1) was constantly criticising me, and I was listening. As a result, I too often botched passages that I otherwise could play. Technical mastery was difficult because I played with so much tension.

But my wife put The Inner Game of Music into my hands. After barely even 20 pages, I had shown marked progress. Having completed the book, I can testify to its usefulness and indeed, necessity. Dr Green will walk you through the problems everyone faces, and how to overcome them. Once overcome, there is no longer a mental block that prevents us from attainting to our personal best. (Further, his practice tips are unparalleled.) Now, I no longer have the problems I used to. This is not to say I changed overnight; artistry is a path, and not a destination. But there is a night and day difference between my playing *just a few months ago* and now. I'm even planning on getting my doctorate; a goal I used to feel was a pipe dream.

If you are a musician who struggles to attain technical mastery, or who suffers from performance anxiety, or a host of other ailments that hold you back from being a true artist, this book WILL help you.

Buy it. Now.

4 out of 5 stars Inner Game review.......2007-02-22

Similar concepts of Gallaways other books ( I have read them all) with a good musical propective. I recommend it to musicians especially if they perform.

5 out of 5 stars Probably the best Inner Game book.......2007-01-10

I've read 'The Inner Game of Tennis' which was great. Years later I read 'The Inner game of work' which I found a little harder to bring into practice. The great thing about this book is that Barry Green, a musician himself, rewrites the whole Inner Game from his standpoint as a musician. This makes it really 1 + 1 = 3.
It's full of exersizes, very practical.

4 out of 5 stars inner game has more rules than stated in book!.......2006-05-27

this book has left out a lot of variables within the game of the music industry! if you want more information chekc out the works of ty cohen and his book "The New Music Industry: How to Use the Power of the Internet to Multiply Your Industry Exposure, Fan Base and Income Potential Online!" this ones a killer!

2 out of 5 stars Reads like a book report.......2006-02-07

I've read this book twice now, and while I've gotten useful tips out of it, it really does read like a book report of the Inner Game of Tennis, frequently using phrases like 'Gallwey refers to...' and 'Gallwey says'. So I read the Inner Game of Tennis and found that I could have garnered much the same insights from this book without the added and sometimes confusing editorializing by Mr. Green. (And some of Green's additions just complicate things by giving your 'self 1' additional ammunition that it may not have thought of yet.)
All in all a useful book, but to do it over again, I'd skip it and go straight to the Inner Game of Tennis.
Game Theory: Analysis of Conflict
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Masterpiece
  • not bad
  • still on the frontier because of disinformation
  • An Elegant and Deep Treatment
  • Game Theory : Analysis of Conflict
Game Theory: Analysis of Conflict
Roger B. Myerson
Manufacturer: Harvard University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0674341163

Book Description

Eminently suited to classroom use as well as individual study, Roger Myerson's introductory text provides a clear and thorough examination of the models, solution concepts, results, and methodological principles of noncooperative and cooperative game theory. Myerson introduces, clarifies, and synthesizes the extraordinary advances made in the subject over the past fifteen years, presents an overview of decision theory, and comprehensively reviews the development of the fundamental models: games in extensive form and strategic form, and Bayesian games with incomplete information.

Game Theory will be useful for students at the graduate level in economics, political science, operations research, and applied mathematics. Everyone who uses game theory in research will find this book essential.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Masterpiece.......2004-03-24

This book is a masterpiece: it goes from the simple and straightforward (with examples of sequential equilibria) to technical and challenging material (such as the Mertens-Zamir type space). I own Fudenberg-Tirole and Osborne-Rubinstein, but it is Myerson that gets picked up the most. What I find most rewarding is that Myerson introduces everything gently, working from examples to build a general theory.

4 out of 5 stars not bad.......2003-06-07

very comprehensive book. Covers pretty much everything. It's supposed to be a graduate text but undergrads can handle it as long as they know some math and aren't too scared by all the notation. Oh and Myerson is nice guy too.

5 out of 5 stars still on the frontier because of disinformation.......2003-02-09

This book is not good only because it explains all well known difficult concepts which noone so far has been able to explain clearly and rigourosly in one book but for new important topics that are less known for the majority of game theorists. I'm refering to the idea of networks and cooperation structures and also cooperation under uncertainty with the idea of virtual utility.

5 out of 5 stars An Elegant and Deep Treatment.......2000-06-13

I just completed a game theory book (Game Theory Evolving, Princeton University Press, 2000). To find the best way to present various materials, I went through virtually every game theory book in existence. For the presentation of the basic material on normal and extensive form games, nothing even came close to this book in clarity of presentation and depth of understanding of the issues. Most textbooks, even highly touted ones that are mathematically challenging, do not even come close, and rarely even present the material in a coherent form at all.

I used to do a lot of carpentry, and I always knew the good carpenters from the run of the mill. The latter talk about how to build stuff. The good ones talked about how you choose, preserve, treat, and sharpen your tools. Myerson is, for game theory, like the good carpenter, and this book is more about the nature of the tools of game theory than their deployment--although it is certainly that, too.

The subtitle of this book is silly ("The Analysis of Conflict"). Game theory is the analysis of cooperation as much as conflict, and much, much else as well. So is this book.

5 out of 5 stars Game Theory : Analysis of Conflict.......2000-05-12

I found this book very helpful in my first year of the Ph D in Economics. I also have used MasColell and Kreps but Myerson was the only one that actually help me understanding complicated concepts as the always Hard Sequential Equilibrium. It is the only book that covers both, sequential and Perfect equilibrium with examples and solutions so that you understand what is going on. If you are willing to buy a Game Theory book I will definitely go for this one. If that is not enough you should also see that the cost benefit ratio of Myerson's book is undoubtly the best of any other one.

Adrian Peralta. Graduate Student University of Minnesota Economics Department
History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Calculations are only as good as your numbers
  • Pants on fire?
  • Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
  • Very Interesting
  • History as Science Fiction
History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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  5. They Cast No Shadows: A Collection of Essays on the Illuminati, Revisionist History, and Suppressed Technologies They Cast No Shadows: A Collection of Essays on the Illuminati, Revisionist History, and Suppressed Technologies

ASIN: 2913621058

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

5 out of 5 stars Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

5 out of 5 stars Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

5 out of 5 stars Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

4 out of 5 stars History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.
The Strategy of Conflict
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Everyone should read this book
  • Good intro read
  • NOBLE PRIZE WINNER ON CONFLICT
  • Major contribution and still relevant after decades
  • fascinating
The Strategy of Conflict
Thomas C. Schelling
Manufacturer: Harvard University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0674840313

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Everyone should read this book.......2006-09-08

"The Strategy of Conflict" changed the development of game theory in several ways, but none was more important than Schelling's focus on real life examples, situations or games that are relevant to what we encounter in our daily lives. Before Schelling, game theory analysis was abstract and mathematical; it focused on zero-sum games, where interests were purely conflicting and there were no incentives to cooperate. Game theorists built convincing abstract models for these types of games, but its application was limited, since most interactions were a mixture of conflict and mutual dependence. In other words, analysis focused on pure conflict, a limiting cases of real world interactions, while in "The Strategy of Conflict" Schelling attempts to generalize game theory analysis to richer games that are `played' in the real world. His generalization introduced the concepts, commitments, threats, promises, communication systems, focal points, and randomization of strategies into game theory (chapters 1~8), which was then used to analyze the its applications in national security (chapters 9 and 10).

If you are studying game theory, this book is a must read. If you are just interested in game theory, I'd recommend reading this book too.

4 out of 5 stars Good intro read.......2006-02-17

Along with Dixit & Skeath, Schelling is a great intro read for anyone interested in game theory.

4 out of 5 stars NOBLE PRIZE WINNER ON CONFLICT.......2005-10-11


The 2005 Nobel Prize for Economics was awarded to Robert Aumann and Thomas C. Schelling. Schelling is professor of Economics at the University of Maryland and applied game theory to conflict. His focus was on the weapons issues but his ideas have been applied to a host of business issues.

In this review, we will apply some of Shelling's concepts to how companies fire employees.

Schelling says "uncertain retaliation is more efficient than certain retaliation" when bargaining and "the capability to retaliate is more useful than the ability to defend." Now let's get practical.

GOODBYE SCENARIO

As a verb, "goodbye" is the act of parting. It is also an acknowledgement of parting. A goodbye scenario assumes that once employees physically leave the building, they will never be a factor for the company's future. The relationship was transactional and the transaction is now over.

If the firm defines the termination as a goodbye scenario, the firm should be guided by a business model that says, "What's the least expensive way of terminating this relationship?" And Board members should ask tough questions about paying too much.

AUWIEDERSEHEN SCENARIO

"Auwiedersehen" is German for "Until we meet again." It has a more open-ended quality than the English "goodbye." In an auwiedersehen scenario, the assumption is that once employees physically leave the building, they may continue to be a factor in the firm's future. But it is unclear what that factor may be.

After their non-compete contracts are over, they may join a smaller competitor and become potential allies or opponents in your firm's efforts to develop strategic alliances or acquire the firm.

They may join firms that touch your industry and become potential referral sources of new business for you or a potential source of caution to others about using your company.

They may attend alumni programs at their schools and encourage/discourage graduates from joining your firm.

Each of these scenarios assumes capability of retaliation plus uncertainty of retaliation.

The best practical defense in terminating employees under these conditions is "Treat people with dignity on the way out because the assured costs of such positive treatment are less than the potential downside retaliatory risks.

AUWIEDERSEHEN VS IT'S NICE TO BE NICE

We work with companies that treat departing leaders with dignity
on the grounds that "it is good public relations and good for morale if we help former employees achieve a `soft landing.'" This positive rationale works only in cultures supportive of such a rationale.

The Schelling rationale does not depend on an organizion having a specific culture for treating people with dignity.

It develops a contingency approach to management based on a risk assessment.

There may be times when a "goodbye" scenario does indeed make good sense. There are other times when "auwiedersehen" makes better economic sense.

In applying Professor Schelling's theories, management's failure to take defensive measures with those possessing abilities and options to retaliate is is just bad economics. One sees it at work every day.



(...)

5 out of 5 stars Major contribution and still relevant after decades.......2003-11-09

Since its first publication in 1960, the strategy of Conflict is still relevant today. His concepts of strategic moves and random strategy can still be applied to the increasing complicated international affairs. It's definitely a timeless classic for game theoretical study of international relations.

5 out of 5 stars fascinating.......2002-12-07

I disagree with the review that describes Schelling's primary contribution here as the idea of focal points. This is one of the key insights in the book, but only one. He also has a fascinating discussion of threats, promises, and credibility and the relation of these issues to national security issues. The connection is explored further in Schelling's Arms and Influence, while this book is more theoretical in its orientation. I highly recommend this book to anyone who knows a little game theory but is frustrated by the level of abstraction which pervades the theory.
Game Theory: A Nontechnical Introduction
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • great
  • Good Entry point. Well Written.
  • The second best
  • Excellent introduction to Game Theory
  • Why novices to game theory should start with this book.
Game Theory: A Nontechnical Introduction
Morton D. Davis
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486296725

Book Description

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.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars great .......2007-03-13

it was received in ample time for school and in great condition
a pleasure to work with
thanks so much

4 out of 5 stars Good Entry point. Well Written........2006-11-10

The book is very well written, and surprisingly easy to read, considering how dry the subject matter can be at times. Gives a very nice introduction to the topic, and finishes off with a more formal discussion of some advanced topics.

If you are a mathematician, this book is probably excruciatingly easy for you, and probably has little academic value. But, if you are a layman, with an interest in systems and games, it really gives you a lot to think about, and a new way to think about it. It introduces a method of determining possible outcomes, as well as giving a nice overview of more sophisticated concepts, should you decide to explore the topic more fully.

Each chapter begins with some questions to consider while reading, and detailed answers to help at the back of each chapter. The only real issue I found with the book is that the questions are missing from chapter one, yet the answers are there. Odd.

4 out of 5 stars The second best.......2006-08-22

The second best after "The Compleat Strategyst" at a primer level, highly redable.
Yes, unfortunately enough, I am over the age of 13 (65)

5 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to Game Theory.......2006-05-20

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.

5 out of 5 stars Why novices to game theory should start with this book. .......2005-10-23

For persons new to game theory, but curious or interested in learning more about it, start with this book. It is truly non-technical and written for the non-mathematician. It can provide the foundation for learning the mathematics (if you so desire, but many people only use the logic). This book will reveal what experts know about game theory. Moreover, it can be used to understand the world, including human behavior, economics, international relations, and more recently advances in understanding evolutionary biology. Game theory literally rules the academic world. It also is used by shrewd humans to win at life, the ultimate game.

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  7. Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind
  8. PowerPoint 2003 for Dummies
  9. Principles of Corporate Finance + Student CD + Ethics in Finance PowerWeb + Standard and Poor's (McGraw-Hill/Irwin Series in Finance, Insurance, and Real Est)
  10. Principles of Financial Engineering (Academic Press Advanced Finance)

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books

  1. AP Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law
  2. The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.
  3. Miller GAAP Guide Levels B, C, and D
  4. Op Amps: Design, Application, and Troubleshooting
  5. Pattern Classification
  6. The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner
  7. The Earliest English: An Introduction to Old English Language
  8. The Biopsychology of Mood and Arousal
  9. Prophets of Regulation
  10. The Letters of Mina Harker