Economic
and Game Theory
Game Theory Book Reviews
Thinking Strategically by Avinash Dixit and Barry Nalebuff:
This book targets the complete novice and - based on complete novices who have read the book - succeeds extremely well. If you are interested in what game theory is all about, or if you just want to absorb the strategic way of thinking - this book is the place to start.
[Posted at 06/30/2004 03:46 PM by David K. Levine 
]
Evolution of the Social Contract by Brian Skyrms:
Aimed at a general audience Skyrms gives an overview of evolutionary game theory. The book is somewhat idiosyncratic, particularly in its use of terminology, so it has some drawbacks for someone who wants to pursue the subject more seriously, but it does a good job of laying out some of the key ideas. One key idea that runs through the book is the idea of positive assortive matching, although Skyrms doesn't call it that. This means that like strategies are more likely to meet themselves. Positive assortive matching favors the evolution of cooperative strategies. At the moment, there are few more satisfactory answers as to why cooperative strategies successfully evolve.
[Posted at 06/30/2004 12:33 PM by David K. Levine ]
Game Theory With Economic Applications by Bierman and Fernandez:
This is an undergraduate level game theory textbook that I have successfully used in an intermediate microeconomics class. The early parts of the book require little math; in general some familiarity with elementary algebra and facility with reading graphs is needed. With these modest mathematical tools, most key elements of game theory are covered and are well-illustrated with examples.
[Posted at 05/30/2004 03:35 PM by David K. Levine ]
Game Theory by Fudenberg and Tirole:
This is the textbook on game theory. It is a graduate level textbook, and requires mathematical preparation at least at the level of an undergraduate mathematics or science major. It is now a decade old and obviously lacks coverage of developments since it was written. This caveat aside, coverage is detailed and complete and the book is widely used in graduate economics classes, including by me.
[Posted at 04/30/2004 03:39 PM by David K. Levine ]
A Course on Microeconomic Theory by David Kreps:
This is not a game theory book at all, it is a first year graduate economics textbook. However the book is exceptionally well written and the coverage of game theory - Kreps' specialty - is especially good. Not the detailed reference of Fudenberg and Tirole, but covers the key points well.
[Posted at 03/30/2004 03:42 PM by David K. Levine ]
Game Theory: Analysis of Conflict by Roger Myerson:
This is a fine advanced textbook - and this review is a placeholder that I will expand on later.
[Posted at 12/31/1969 04:00 PM by David K. Levine ]
Fun and Games: A Text on Game Theory by Ken Binmore:
A very focused and mathematical treatment aimed at the advanced undergraduate. If you have strong mathematical skills and interest, but not necessarily extensive mathematical training, this is a fascinating and deep book.
[Posted at 12/31/1969 04:00 PM by David K. Levine ]
