Gladiators, Pirates and Games of Trust: How Game Theory, Strategy and Probability Rule Our Lives

A bestselling Israeli author offers a delightful take on decision making for non-experts and non-mathematicians. Written in simple language, the book is essential reading for business professionals and anyone interested in cognitive psychology and economics.

Shapira provides humorous anecdotes and insightful examples of how our daily lives are affected by Game Theory. Game Theory is the mathematical formalization of interactive decision-making – it assumes that each player's goal is to maximize his/her benefit, whatever it may be. Players may be friends, foe, political parties, states, or anyone that behaves interactively, whether as a group or as an individual. One of the problems with game analysis is the fact that, as a player, it’s very hard to know what would benefit each of the other players, some of us are not even clear about our own goals or what indeed might actually benefit us. Haim Shapira uses multiple examples to explain what Game Theory is and how the different interactions between decision makers can play out.


• Meet the Nobel Prize Laureate John F Nash and familiarize yourself with his celebrated equilibrium
• Learn the basic ideas of the Art of Negotiation
• Visit the gladiators’ ring and apply for a coaching position
• Build an airport and divide inheritance
• Issue ultimatums and learn to trust