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 Real Estate Game: The Intelligent Guide To Decisionmaking And Investment
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Great read for serious investors
  • Great for deepening understanding of subject...
  • Not a get rich quick scheme
  • Best of the RE Investment Books!
  • A Sophisticated Yet Interesting Real Estate book
The Real Estate Game: The Intelligent Guide To Decisionmaking And Investment
William J. Poorvu , and Jeffrey L. Cruikshank
Manufacturer: Free Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 068485550X

Amazon.com

Real estate is as much about people as it is about property, and, after location, success in real estate depends upon understanding the motives of those who play the game, because many critical decisions revolve around what real estate people think, how they act and why. The Real Estate Game, by William J. Poorvu and Jeffrey L. Cruikshank, is a clear, comprehensive overview illustrated with real-life experiences about individual investors, small developers, and moguls. Poorvu has developed and managed real estate and taught real estate investing at the Harvard Business School for over 35 years. This book is drawn from his course, and is designed to help investors make the right decisions derived from the right assumptions and to provide an insider's perspective on how to spot risks and develop strategies that provide protection and adequate investment returns.

The book uses the analogy of a game to illustrate some of the intricate and unpredictable interactions in real estate deals, and it lays out the rules of the game, including identification of the key players and periods of play: concept, commitment, development, operation, reward, and reinvestment. Readers are taught to be "value investors," ready to buy at the right price at the right time, because the best opportunities come from buying at a discount-to-replacement cost. The value investor must be prepared to sell at the right juncture, and must not be compelled to be in the game when conditions make the game not worth playing.

The case studies that run through the book show how to evaluate, develop, and operate all kinds of real estate investments from the points of view of all involved in the process. There's an extensive appendix covering the different property types, and the authors' "back-of-the-envelope" method for analyzing the financial implications of a potential deal is probably worth the book's weight in gold. --Scott Harrison

Book Description

The Real Estate Game is a comprehensive guide to successful real estate investment from one of the masters in the field. Drawing upon four decades of experience developing, owning, and managing properties and on almost thirty years of teaching at the Harvard Business School, William J. Poorvu offers an insider's perspective on how to make smart decisions about real estate.

The real estate "game" is played by people, and it's the stories of real people that make Poorvu's introduction to the industry colorful and interesting. The reader meets players ranging from real estate moguls to small-scale developers to individual investors in exotic investment instruments. Their stories evolve throughout the book and illustrate how these people -- with all their complicated needs, talents, and motives -- fit into the larger process and context.

In clear and nontechnical language, Poorvu explains how variables -- players, properties, capital markets, and the external environment -- come together to influence the shape and outcome of a real estate deal. He explains the time frame for different kinds of real estate investments and walks the reader through the key "periods of play" in the real estate game: concept, commitment, development, operation, reward, and reinvestment.

The Real Estate Game introduces a simple but powerful "back-of-the-envelope" technique for analyzing the financial implications of a potential deal. Using this tool and others, Poorvu shows readers how to use direct investments, syndicates, and REITs to get into the real estate game across a broad range of property types: residential, office, hotel, industrial, and retail.

Offering unique insight into the ways that developers and investors can create value, The Real Estate Game is both a perfect introduction for the novice and an invaluable overview for the experienced professional.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great read for serious investors.......2007-09-01

Mr. Poorvu's book does an excellent job of teaching investors how to analyze real estate deals. It reads a bit like a text book but serious investors will appreciate the intelligence and depth of the content.

5 out of 5 stars Great for deepening understanding of subject..........2007-03-12

I found this book extrememly valuable in deepening my understanding of the subject and providing perspective for me to carry my understanding further on my own by looking at market information and events.
Useful for beginner to intermediate level real estate interested people.

4 out of 5 stars Not a get rich quick scheme.......2006-03-15

William Poorvu teaches at the Harvard Business School and also invests and develops on his own. He uses case studies to show examples of the techniques and rules he uses when investing which is how MBA's are taught. Overall its some great real world advice with no promises of making you a millionaire overnight.

5 out of 5 stars Best of the RE Investment Books!.......2003-12-18

The vast majority of real estate investment books to be found in the Barnes & Noble investment section offer variations of Mark Twain's stock market advice: "making money in stocks is easy. Only buy a stock if it goes up; if it doesn't go up, don't buy it." By contrast, Poorvu walks readers through myriad real estate investment situations, fleshing out the risks and rewards, and the mindsets of the various players. While written in an anecdotal style replete with real-life examples, the book also presents an encyclopedic overview of investment opportunities (direct, REIT, syndicates, etc.) and asset categories (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.). This is a real estate investment book written by an adult, for adults -- in contrast to all the other get-rich-quick-no-money-down titles targeting gullible novices.

5 out of 5 stars A Sophisticated Yet Interesting Real Estate book.......2003-02-10

Harvard Business School Professor and real estate investor William Poorvu has written a book about real estate is far above most real estate books. This book is nowhere near the run of the mill generic real estate book that tries to tell everything about real estate to people who don't have a clue. "The Real Estate Game" is a sophisticated commercial real estate book written by a real estate insider. This is not a book about buying your first house with no down payment.

What this is, is a book about commercial real estate projects from concept, commitment, development, operations, and harvest. The authors bring a behind the scenes and insiders' approach to commercial development. He lays it out in the form of a game with properties, capital markets, players and external environment. One of the stories in the book is that of Bill Zeckendorf's classic assemblage of Swift slaughterhouses into the United Nations property and vicinity. Included in the book is the authors' commercial due diligence checklist. This book would be most interesting to a person involved in commercial real estate, someone interested in commercial real estate or someone interested in the business of commercial real estate. I think that this is the kind of book that you can refer back to time and time again. There is a lot of information in this book and it may even be a book that you will want to read more than once. It has a depth, and quality of information contained far superior to the average mass media real estate book without the dryness of a real estate textbook
Multi-Objective Optimization Using Evolutionary Algorithms
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great Book
  • Great book; a must for engineers and scientists alike
  • The Reference in Evolutionary Multiobjective Optimization
Multi-Objective Optimization Using Evolutionary Algorithms
Kalyanmoy Deb , and Deb Kalyanmoy
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Algorithms | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 047187339X

Book Description

Evolutionary algorithms are relatively new, but very powerful techniques used to find solutions to many real-world search and optimization problems. Many of these problems have multiple objectives, which leads to the need to obtain a set of optimal solutions, known as effective solutions. It has been found that using evolutionary algorithms is a highly effective way of finding multiple effective solutions in a single simulation run.
· Comprehensive coverage of this growing area of research
· Carefully introduces each algorithm with examples and in-depth discussion
· Includes many applications to real-world problems, including engineering design and scheduling
· Includes discussion of advanced topics and future research
· Can be used as a course text or for self-study
· Accessible to those with limited knowledge of classical multi-objective optimization and evolutionary algorithms
The integrated presentation of theory, algorithms and examples will benefit those working and researching in the areas of optimization, optimal design and evolutionary computing. This text provides an excellent introduction to the use of evolutionary algorithms in multi-objective optimization, allowing use as a graduate course text or for self-study.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great Book.......2007-02-26

I highly recommend this book, it covers all the important subjects. A great acquisition!

4 out of 5 stars Great book; a must for engineers and scientists alike.......2001-09-28

Kalyanmoy Deb has put together a great summary of the state of affairs in multiobjective genetic algorithms. Should you be an engineer or a scientist involved in the optimization of any design of sizeable complexity, you should read this book and become familiar with the techniques that have evolved over the last decade into powerful methods of optimization. This book is in many many ways bridging the gap from Michalewicz's and Fogel's book ("How to solve it") to the more modern era of this field (eg late nineties up to now...). So whereas those two authors never really considered multiobjective genetic algorithms, Deb plows through with the great expertize of a (perhaps even "the") leading researcher in that domain. This is a great book of _receipes_ with the level of details necessary to make use of them. It's a "how to" book; this is the one you have cracked open on your desk while you're hard coding it all up. However, it's not very well written with the prose being very terse and basically quite unengaging. But so what! In some sense yes perhaps, but Michalewicz and Fogel made a point that one can write technical litterature that one can also read. Perhaps they went overboard... in any case, Deb's book is about algorithms so who cares about whether the book puts you to sleep and it can do that, unfortunately. Apart from the unengaging style and the paucity of depth in the examples scope, the real problem with the book is not with the book itself, it's with the field of multiobjective optimization based on evolutionary methods. It's fairly evident that there is not much of any sort of fundamental understanding available at this time in support of why evolutionary techniques do work well, and they do, sometimes... If this understanding is available, you won't find it in Deb's book. If you are like me though, you won't care all that much really so long as the techniques are efficient and presented in a way that make them useable, and that's done right... But on the whole, it's a little unsatisfying because one's left with a panoply of various techniques and ways to define operators and representations but there is no insight given on which one might be best or how to craft them to particular situations. There is a lot of so-'n-so in reference this and that did it like this and it seems to work well there, however... The reason for this state of affairs is, of course, that nobody has a real clue, yet... But that is _not_ Deb's fault and this is not why, as a user, I'm not rating his book a full 5 stars. In some sense it could be rated as high as that but I thought the presentation was rather unengaging and not with all the breath and depth it could have had. So it's a 4.5 stars perhaps... let's say... but Amazon does not let me select 4.5 stars so it's 4, this edition at least...

5 out of 5 stars The Reference in Evolutionary Multiobjective Optimization.......2001-07-23

This is the first complete and updated text on Multi-objective Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEAs), covering all major areas clearly, thoughtfully and thoroughly. Thanks to the development of evolutionary computation MOEAs are now a well established technique for multi-objective optimization that finds multiple effective solutions in a single run. The widely interdisciplinary interest of engineers, scientists and mathematicians towards MOEAs has been evident during the first international conference on this topic (EMO2001,Zurich). The book is extremely useful for researchers working on multi-objective optimization in all branches of engineering and sciences, that will find a complete description of all available methodologies, starting from a detailed description and criticism of classical methods, towards a deep treating of the most advanced evolutionary techniques. Moreover several analytical test cases are given, covering all difficulties a MOEA encounters when converging towards the Pareto Optimal front. This set of test problems, together with several performance measurement parameters are essential when testing a new strategy before its application to a real-world problem. Despite the detail in advanced topics, Deb's book may be also used as a reference-book for a post-graduate course thanks to the scholarly coverage of basic arguments. As a final remark I strongly suggest everyone working on evolutionary computation and optimization to keep this book on the desk.
Building Thinking Skills-Book 1
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • So Fun
  • Great for all ages
  • I love this book!!!
  • My third-graders spatial skills were not well developed.
Building Thinking Skills-Book 1
Howard Black
Manufacturer: Critical Thinking Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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  5. Standardized Test Practice for 2nd Grade (TCM #2677) Standardized Test Practice for 2nd Grade (TCM #2677)

ASIN: 0894552503

Book Description

Includes units on figural and verbal descriptions, similarities and differences, sequences, classifications, and analogies. Skills addressed include reading comprehension; describing shapes, things, and words; following directions; antonyms and synonyms; several types of analogy; deductive reasoning; parts of a whole; mapping and directionality; logical connectives; spelling and vocabulary; overlapping classes; pattern folding; tracking, rotation, and reflection; mental manipulation of two-dimensional objects. Reading level: grade 2; ability level: grades 2-4; 326 activities. Reproducible for single-classroom or single-home use.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars So Fun.......2006-06-02

My whole family loved this book. I had as much fun as my 5-year-old. It was easy enough for my youngest while still challenging my oldest(8). I love these books and will be purchasing the whole set.

5 out of 5 stars Great for all ages.......2004-09-08

This is an excellent series of books that are great for children and adults. My newly 4 year old daughter is able to do many of the problems and enjoys the focus and accomplishment of doing them.

5 out of 5 stars I love this book!!!.......2002-08-26

Sylvan Learning Center uses it, that should be enough of a testimony right there!

5 out of 5 stars My third-graders spatial skills were not well developed........1999-07-07

She used to go ballistic when she had to mentally form a three-dimensional object from a two-dimensional image. After doing the Building Thinking Skills Book 1, she says it's a breeze. Her nonverbal scores used to be low. Now they're higher than her verbal, which were already high. Her creativity and problem solving have also blossomed since she started using these materials.
Games of Strategy, Second Edition
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • bad book.....
  • Excellent introduction to game theory
  • Excellent Starter
  • From a student perspective
  • Good and interesting introduction to game theory
Games of Strategy, Second Edition
Avinash K. Dixit , and Susan Skeath
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0393924998

Book Description

Now available in a Second Edition, Games of Strategy remains the most accessible principles-level text for courses in game theory, addressing a remarkably broad range of concepts in a narrative that is both clear and compelling. Using resonant real-world examples, the authors simplify difficult theoretic ideas, helping students see the value of strategic thinking in a variety of situations. The text has been carefully updated for this Second Edition, including thorough revisions of the sections on sequential- and simultaneous-move games and those on voting and auctioning.

This is an inviting introduction to game theory, offering students an engaging, comprehensive view of the discipline without assuming a prior knowledge of economics or complex mathematics (uses only high school algebra).

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars bad book............2004-12-02

The author is a fine economist, but he's written a lousy textbook. The only positive is that it's easy (indeed, almost to the point of being simplistic) so the uninitiated can learn from it rather readily. But it takes away any positive it provides by being rather nonstandard in its terminology and notations. Plus, I doubt anyone taking a college-level game theory class would be so untrained so as to need this sort of babying. Finally, the contents don't justify the sky-high price.

If you need a good game theory text, buy Gintis for the intro. students and Osborne and Rubinstein for the reasonably advanced. These are affordable paperbacks that I think are as good as any hardcover. Don't waste money needlessly.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to game theory.......2004-11-06

This is a fantastic introduction to game theory. I'm in a graduate-level game theory course with a much more confusing textbook, and this one has enabled me to learn the concepts more clearly. Once I study the text and examples in Dixit & Skeath, I'm comfortable moving on to the harder problems in my other text. I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in learning game theory -- you'll even get a few good laughs out of some of the examples and the authors' jokes.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Starter.......2003-10-02

I'm learning game theory on my own and found this book an excellent starter. The book provides a wide range of topics, building from what strategy means in game theory, to the sequential and simultanous play of games, to more specialized areas and applications of the theory.

Although it keeps the mathematics rather minimal, you'll need to do your own workings to better understand the text. To get more from this book, you'll need to be involved in the examples the book provides... breezing through may not help you understand the theory better.

While I do read other books on game theory, I find myself going back to Games of Strategy to review the basics and the examples. The example on the tennis game has provided me some starting ideas on the issues I've to face in some research areas I'm working on.

3 out of 5 stars From a student perspective.......2002-12-09

I used this book as a student in an undergraduate Game Theory course and have mixed feelings about it.

Positives: the book is written in a simple style with relatively good examples that promote conceptual understanding.

Negatives: the book is very poorly laid out. Some chapters don't seem to follow any logical progression, so the reader must frequently jump from one section to another. Additionally, the book doesn't utilize some fairly standard terms, and the index doesn't facilitate the book's use as a reference manual.

The reason I wrote this review was because I came online to try to find a better Game Theory textbook -- I ran into problem studying from this one.

4 out of 5 stars Good and interesting introduction to game theory.......2001-05-03

I really enjoyed this book. There were some areas where it was kind of confusing, but I found that overall it kept me interested. Their approach is good especially for those who want to learn about the topic and its applications but don't have much background in math or economics. Game theory is a really interesting field, and this text provides a good introduction for those who want to learn about it without getting bogged down in the math. The book does its best job I think in tying the principles to the real world.
Behavioral Game Theory: Experiments in Strategic Interaction (The Roundtable Series in Behavioral Economics)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Behavioral Game Theory: Experiments in Strategic Interaction (The Roundtable Series in Behavioral Economics)
    Colin F. Camerer
    Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    Strategy & CompetitionStrategy & Competition | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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    ASIN: 0691090394

    Book Description

    Game theory, the formalized study of strategy, began in the 1940s by asking how emotionless geniuses should play games, but ignored until recently how average people with emotions and limited foresight actually play games. This book marks the first substantial and authoritative effort to close this gap. Colin Camerer, one of the field's leading figures, uses psychological principles and hundreds of experiments to develop mathematical theories of reciprocity, limited strategizing, and learning, which help predict what real people and companies do in strategic situations. Unifying a wealth of information from ongoing studies in strategic behavior, he takes the experimental science of behavioral economics a major step forward. He does so in lucid, friendly prose.

    Behavioral game theory has three ingredients that come clearly into focus in this book: mathematical theories of how moral obligation and vengeance affect the way people bargain and trust each other; a theory of how limits in the brain constrain the number of steps of "I think he thinks . . ." reasoning people naturally do; and a theory of how people learn from experience to make better strategic decisions. Strategic interactions that can be explained by behavioral game theory include bargaining, games of bluffing as in sports and poker, strikes, how conventions help coordinate a joint activity, price competition and patent races, and building up reputations for trustworthiness or ruthlessness in business or life.

    While there are many books on standard game theory that address the way ideally rational actors operate, Behavioral Game Theory stands alone in blending experimental evidence and psychology in a mathematical theory of normal strategic behavior. It is must reading for anyone who seeks a more complete understanding of strategic thinking, from professional economists to scholars and students of economics, management studies, psychology, political science, anthropology, and biology.

    The Big Book of Business Games: Icebreakers, Creativity Exercises and Meeting Energizers
    Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    • The Big Book of Business Games: Icebreakers, Creativity Exercises and Meeting Energizers
    • Icebreakers Only
    • Another "Big Book" that doesn't deliver
    • The big Book of Business Games
    • Great for the Price
    The Big Book of Business Games: Icebreakers, Creativity Exercises and Meeting Energizers
    John W. Newstrom , and Edward E. Scannell
    Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 0070464766

    Book Description

    Break the ice at your next meeting with The Big Book of Business Games!

    In this exciting resource book, two of today's acknowledged games masters serve up a cookbook of activities that you can learn to use, guaranteed to generate a lively discussion, or simply give a group a "breather" from the monotony of a boring staff meeting or presentation. Each of the 75 group games and activities here is adapted from the best-selling Games Trainers Play series and shortened to suit the needs of managers and team leaders to use with their departments, staff, or committees.

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars The Big Book of Business Games: Icebreakers, Creativity Exercises and Meeting Energizers.......2006-11-04

    The ideas and activities in this book were varied and somewhat adaptable to a variety of audiences and meetings. I am always looking for fresh ideas to use in my presentations and workshops and this book has become a valuable resource and also sparks new ideas in myself.

    2 out of 5 stars Icebreakers Only.......2006-07-09

    If I had the opportunity to flip through this book in a bricks-and-mortar bookstore, I wouldn't have bought it. I was looking for ways to communicate business and organizational lessons through the use of games and activities. This book is just a list of icebreaker activities without providing any of the "meat" of the lesson the activity should have delivered. Providing references for those of us seeking said content would have helped to fill that gap.

    Many of the activities require visual aids. It would have been nice for the publishers to provide graphics to go along with these---perhaps a registration key for a website to download the visual tools? I would be far more likely to use the activities (and, of course, credit the authors) if the tools were easily accessible and not burdomsome to create.

    I have every confidence that the book meets its intended purpose and the authors have done a good job. However, I don't feel that Amazon.com is presenting the book for what it is. I also believe the publishers could have done a better job of supporting this publication to make it truly useful to the purchaser.

    In general, if you are completely at a loss for how to get people interacting with one another at a meeting or training session, this is a good "creativity sparker" to get you thinking.

    1 out of 5 stars Another "Big Book" that doesn't deliver.......2002-11-22

    I took a chance and purchased five selections from the "big book" series. I titled a previous review "The Big Book of Disappointment." Too bad. I ought to have saved it for this publication.

    Chapter two of "The Big Book of Business Games" is titled, "How to Use This Book." My suggestion? As kindling or compost. In the book you will find 54 activities. The nine dot problem and the human knot are examples of the many common activities found in countless other books.

    You'll also find suggestions for "presentation boosters." One "booster" example: Display two flip charts. On one ask what things were valued about how the meeting was run. On the other ask how future meetings might be improved. As part of the description you are reminded to "tear off the flip charts and return to your office. . .celebrate your success and change something needing improvement." In the book, the previous activity actually merits a two page description.

    Applying their exercise to their book, I'd say I valued very little if anything. How might future books be improved? Provide NEW activities or suggest creative variations for the countless recycled exercises. Also, be certain the content is relevant to a business audience. A skilled facilitator will find a way to successfully use most any of the activities in this book. However, a skilled facilitator is also likely to have a number of better selections in her bag of tricks to choose from.

    Once again if the price entices you to purchase this book, I'd suggest you keep exploring. You will find a number of resource books available on Amazon.com that are significantly better.

    4 out of 5 stars The big Book of Business Games.......2001-11-30

    Basically from the contents, it can be said to be a very practical book that any manager can use to liven up meetings and more importantly to get the members of the team to come together.
    These exercises can be fun and purposeful for the the users and I think I would really like try out some of the great ideas put forth.I run meetings and workshops for my staff and certainly could use the ideas from the book.

    4 out of 5 stars Great for the Price.......2000-02-19

    I've used a number of the games in this book and found they've helped me achieve my goals with the team. They stimulated converstaion and team building. One game I found particularly useful was the "Tie that Binds" in visually demonstrating how interdependent we are as a team. I found this book a real bargain and a good book for getting started at using games within meetings to build teams, emphasis concepts, and introduce topics.
    Games, Strategies, and Managers: How Managers Can Use Game Theory to Make Better Business Decisions
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Games, Strategies, and Managers: How Managers Can Use Game Theory to Make Better Business Decisions
      John McMillan
      Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

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      Similar Items:
      1. Thinking Strategically: The Competitive Edge in Business, Politics, and Everyday Life Thinking Strategically: The Competitive Edge in Business, Politics, and Everyday Life
      2. Game Theory at Work: How to Use Game Theory to Outthink and Outmaneuver Your Competition Game Theory at Work: How to Use Game Theory to Outthink and Outmaneuver Your Competition
      3. Mind and Heart of the Negotiator, The (3rd Edition) Mind and Heart of the Negotiator, The (3rd Edition)
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      5. Co-Opetition : A Revolution Mindset That Combines Competition and Cooperation : The Game Theory Strategy That's Changing the Game of Business Co-Opetition : A Revolution Mindset That Combines Competition and Cooperation : The Game Theory Strategy That's Changing the Game of Business

      ASIN: 0195108035

      Book Description

      "Business is a game--the greatest game in the world if you know how to play it," said IBM's founder Thomas J. Watson. He would probably agree that business negotiations are essentially the game of predicting what the other person will do. Faced with employees, subcontractors, salespeople and others, managers are continually called upon to make strategic decisions based on how someone else will act and react. How do the successful ones do it? Is it savvy? Guesswork? Even the most canny negotiators would be hard pressed to describe their own methods, which they generally develop intuitively over long and costly experience. But a key to becoming a top negotiator is now available to managers at all levels, in Games, Strategies, and Managers--the revealing new book that injects some science into the art of business decision-making. Adapted from the hottest new area of economic theory and based on the latest breakthroughs, Games, Strategies, and Managers goes far beyond the advice commonly offered to negotiators--the old saws, the tales about what worked once in Cleveland--to provide powerful insight into what's really going on beneath every negotiation. Using seven key questions as a starting point, it helps the executive strip away the distracting details of a situation. It doesn't matter if the issue is commissions, piece rates, royalties, managerial incentives, or cost-overrun provisions--the game is the same. The negotiator who recognizes these underlying rules and exploits them to best advantage will gain the upper hand, in formal negotiations as well as in dozens of everyday business situations. Of course, any game involves risk. Managers often have to make a decision without full knowledge of the consequences, and others' actions are not entirely predictable. Game theory explores how to take creative risks to get the strategic edge. Invaluable practical illustrations that show game theory in action include the setting of executives' incentives, the organizing of a network of subcontractors, and a behind-the-scenes look at how international trade negotiations really work. For the sales manager devising a commission-payment scheme to motivate salespeople, the procurement manager trying to get a subcontractor to limit production costs, the compensation committee designing a managerial incentive scheme, and beginning or experienced executives in all industries, Games, Strategies, and Managers shows how to excel at "the greatest game in the world." Even more than a powerful tool of business strategy, game theory is a valuable habit of mind--a way for executives to sharpen their thinking in business and in life. While experience may help you see the trees, game theory shows you the whole forest.
      Satisficing Games and Decision Making: With Applications to Engineering and Computer Science
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Satisficing Games and Decision Making: With Applications to Engineering and Computer Science
        Wynn C. Stirling
        Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover

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        ASIN: 0521817242

        Book Description

        We constantly make decisions which are simply "good enough" rather than optimal--a type of decision for which Wynn Stirling has adopted the word "satisficing". Most computer decision making algorithms, however, seek only the optimal solution based on rigid criteria and reject others. Outlining an alternative approach, this book uses novel algorithms and techniques to more closely model the way humans make decisions. It is, therefore, of interest to engineers, computer scientists and mathematicians working on artificial intelligence and expert systems.

        Download Description

        In our day-to-day lives we constantly make decisions which are simply 'good enough' rather than optimal. Most computer-based decision making algorithms, on the other hand, doggedly seek only the optimal solution based on rigid criteria and reject any others. In this book, Professor Stirling outlines an alternative approach, using novel algorithms and techniques which can be used to find satisficing solutions. Building on traditional decision and game theory, these techniques allow decision-making systems to cope with more subtle situations where self and group interests conflict, perfect solutions can't be found and human issues need to be taken into account - in short, more closely modelling the way humans make decisions. The book will therefore be of great interest to engineers, computer scientists and mathematicians working on artificial intelligence and expert systems.
        Team Challenges: 170+ Group Activities to Build Cooperation, Communication, and Creativity
        Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
        • fun team challenges
        • A wide variety of great ideas.
        • 3 activities with 1001 variations
        • From the Creativity Editor at BellaOnline.com
        • Must have! Wish I'd had it years ago!
        Team Challenges: 170+ Group Activities to Build Cooperation, Communication, and Creativity
        Kris Bordessa
        Manufacturer: Zephyr Press
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

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        ASIN: 1569762015

        Book Description

        Team Challenges promotes effective communication skills and teamwork. Designed to offer teachers, facilitators, and parents a wide variety of activities to cultivate children's problem-solving skills while fostering cooperation between group members, the activities in the book utilize common household items and recycled materials, and require no more than 10 minutes, start to finish. Presented with a challenge from this book, kids work cooperatively to solve open ended problems which can incorporate structure building, improvisation skills and physical tasks. The challenges will teach children to experiment with building methods, discover new uses for everyday items, try on new personas, and express themselves as they work together toward a successful solution. Team members are required to think outside the box, communicate clearly, and cooperate with each other in order to complete each task.

        Activities include building structures from materials such as index cards, drinking straws, paper clips and sticky dots; moving items from one location to another without directly touching them; or presenting a skit portraying their solution to a hypothetical dilemma. Children will learn not only from each other, but also from observing how other teams navigate each task.

        Pass some creative problem solving skills on to the kids (and adults!) in your life with the fun activities you'll find in Team Challenges. Adults who work with children will find this to be a great addition to their repertoire.

        Ever found yourself with five extra minutes to spare, but nothing to discuss in that short amount of time? Turn to Chapter Five, and you'll find questions such as these:

        *Name things that you carry on your back (a backpack, a baby, a monkey)
        *Name things that you take out (garbage, Chinese food, an opponent)
        *List things that are printed (newspapers, the alphabet, T-shirts)

        Need a simple activity to occupy the kids and encourage them to work cooperatively? Challenge them to one of the Tiny Tasks, found in Chapter Four:

        *Build a structure as tall as possible using 5 marshmallows and 10 drinking straws
        *Create a bridge that will span 18" using 3 sticky notes and 10 cotton balls
        *Create a continuous line as long as possible using 1 envelope and 5 recycled bottle caps

        More detailed challenges are found in subsequent chapters.

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars fun team challenges.......2007-08-14

        I am a Destination Imagination team manager who is looking forward to getting my kids working on these team challenges. There are a variety of challenges in this book that are easy to prepare and set up for but they look fun, interesting and challenging. They are sure to make my kids brains work! Book contains good tips too!

        5 out of 5 stars A wide variety of great ideas. .......2006-12-16

        This book offers all kinds of great activities that will help foster cooperation, communication and creativity within whatever group of people you're using it for. The tasks range from mental activities to physical ones and are easy to understand, fun to execute and can be completed with objects that you usually have around the house. The book is a great tool for your own children, birthday parties, classrooms and it's also a perfect teacher gift!

        2 out of 5 stars 3 activities with 1001 variations.......2006-11-23

        Essentially, this is a book for people with little-to-no experience with group games or team building. All of the activities listed were ones I already knew, and the large number in the title comes from the number of variations for each of 3 activities: building things out of everyday items (see how high you can build a tower with the given items), common physical challenges (get the group from one side of the room to another using various props), and improv/word games. If you have a small imagination and very limited knowlegde of common team building activities, you might like this book, but if you're already in the field and looking for a book of new ideas, keep on looking. This isn't it.

        4 out of 5 stars From the Creativity Editor at BellaOnline.com.......2006-05-11

        Team Challenges is a resource book packed with ideas and activities for encouraging and developing children?s creativity, lateral thinking, and communication skills.

        It's easy to see how these challenges could help to develop a child's confidence as well as exposing children to career and skill development options. Solutions are not necessarily guaranteed and children can be encouraged to continue thinking a problem through when the time is up and to present further ideas later, or even try the task again.

        The challenges in this book emphasise creative and imaginative thinking and I'm very impressed with the author's ideas.

        5 out of 5 stars Must have! Wish I'd had it years ago!.......2005-12-21

        We're a homeschooling family, and have started using this book in our co-op. It's so amazing to watch the idea of "team" unfold as we go along. This book is fantastic, so well organized and well written, and full of so many different ideas, you're bound to find something unique that works for every personality. We've participated in Oddessey of the Mind in the past, and I think this book should be on every group leader's book shelf. If you like helping kids and adults learn to work together, this book will take you to new levels of cooperation, and will likely teach you more about yourself than you ever thought possible.

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        7. CCNA Self-Study: Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices (ICND) 640-811, 640-801 (2nd Edition) (Self-Study Guide)
        8. China's Global Reach: Markets, Multinationals, and Globalization (Revised and Updated Edition)
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