Popular Science Review - Prisoner's Dilemma

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Review - Prisoner's Dilemma - William Poundstone

For some reason, Hungarian/American mathematician John von Neumann is more obscure than he deserves to be, often just thought of as 'something to do with early computers'. As the subtitle of this book suggests - John von Neumann, Game Theory and the Puzzle of the Bomb - there was more to him (and this book) than this.

A combination of a biography of von Neumann and an introduction to the fascinating subject of game theory, the title is no mislead as there is plenty on this classic game theory situation, particularly as it was seen as the operating mode of the cold war, defining the potential rewards and threats from actions like a pre-emptive strike in terms of individual (or individual country's in this case) gain versus the common good.

von Neumann was also a significant figure in the Manhattan Project to develop the atomic bomb and (yes) in the development of the digital computer, yet the book keeps coming back to game theory, which is probably the most intriguing aspect of the mix.

For reasons this reviewer can't quite put his finger on, the book is okay, but doesn't quite make the big league. The information about von Neumann is interesting, and some aspects of game theory, which is generally explained in a painless way, are fascinating. But the book as a whole doesn't quite have the thrilling quality of the best in the field. But should you want to read about von Neumann or the basics of game theory - both subjects well worth a little of your time - it's hard to come up with a better choice. So don't be put off by that three star rating.

Also in hardback:

Reviewed by Peter Spitz

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