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List Price: $28.00Amazon.com's Price: $18.48 You Save: $9.52 (34%)as of 03/19/2010 08:27 EDT
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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 123.3
EAN: 9781400067930
Edition: 2 Updated
ISBN: 1400067936
Label: Random House
Manufacturer: Random House
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 368
Publication Date: October 14, 2008
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: October 14, 2008
Studio: Random House
Features:- ISBN13: 9781400067930
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Amazon.com Review:
If the prescriptions for getting rich that are outlined in books such as The Millionaire Next Door and Rich Dad Poor Dad are successful enough to make the books bestsellers, then one must ask, Why aren't there more millionaires? In Fooled by Randomness, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, a professional trader and mathematics professor, examines what randomness means in business and in life and why human beings are so prone to mistake dumb luck for consummate skill. This eccentric and highly personal exploration of the nature of randomness meanders from the court of Croesus and trading rooms in New York and London to Russian roulette, Monte Carlo engines, and the philosophy of Karl Popper. Part of what makes this book so good is Taleb's ability to make seemingly arcane mathematical concepts (at least to this reviewer) entirely relevant in evaluating and understanding everything from the stock market to the success of those millionaires cited in the aforementioned bestsellers. Here's an articulate, wise, and humorous meditation on the nature of success and failure that anyone who wants a little more of the former would do well to consider. Highly recommended. --Harry C. Edwards
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
This is an insightful book written in a unique style that challenges superficial thinking about events that some may ascribe a cause and effect relationship but can be more simply seen as an event that is possible within `normal' variability. This is not a fast read. If you enjoy thinking, you will enjoy this book. I had to use a `big' dictionary to understand more fully some of the author's statements. I have a background in chemistry, physics and mathematics, professional experience in process ... Read More
Rating: -
I think that it is important to review a book by concentrating on its coherency, strength of its ideas and originality. Whether a person agrees with the author or not should not be a factor. This is why I give this book four stars although I do not completely agree with the author.
This book raises some very interesting points and is in many ways an eye opener. Bookshops are filled with books about the "characteristics" of successful people. In business articles and books we always read about ... Read More
Rating: -
If you want read a book that challenges the way that you perceive the world then this book has to be recommended. Nassim Taleb has a unique perspective on the world that should make most people sit up, take notice and ask why.
It is also probably a book that needs to be read more than once to really extract the essence of the ideas simply because they are so different from the main stream. The books is well written and easy to read but can invoke challenging thought at times.
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Rating: -
Nicholas Taleb can be awfully condescending, indeed. The backhanded dismissal of many persons and ideas, sometimes to the point of scoffing, can put off the average reader. E.g., his equating "work ethic" with "inefficient mediocrity" (p. 124). Still, persist through all this and get to his quite valuable insights. Even simple, semi-obvious ones like, wealth doesn't contribute as much to well-being as does the path getting there.
He correctly points out that, in spite of most of us knowing ... Read More
Rating: -
Clearly the book wasn't meant to be comprehensive but in my opinion it's still a great read after reading Black Swan.
Many of the arguements are very similar: they are presented in slightly different manner, and some of anecdotes are pretty funny and engaging most of the time. Not surprisingly the idea of the book Black Swan could also be found in this book.
Finally, knowing the idea of chapter 6 on skewness and asymmetry is already worth the price you paid for the book.
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