Game Theory Evolving: A Problem-Centered Introduction to Modeling Strategic Interaction - Second Edition

This is a terrific introductory textbook for game theory students, especially those lacking microeconomic background. The abundance of solved exercises help illustrate concepts that, if only explained conceptually, are likely to leave the reader confused. I'd recommend this for beginning students. For the students with more background, I'd recommend Osborne and Rubinstein. Only the students comfortable with the math should use Fudenberg/Tirole or Myerson.I'm puzzled by the some of the criticisms presented here: all the notations are standard for the field and the basic concepts are laid out as clearly as any other text. If anything, the solved examples clarify the concepts much better than usual. At least one of the reviews (the review below) makes so little sense that makes me wonder if he even understood what he was reading: he's throwing about irrelevant jargon from communication theory (which has nothing to do with the basic game theory that the text mostly concerns itself with, especially the simple-minded example he's supposedly critiquing.). I'd pick this as the textbook for my intro class any day.Having said that, the "evolving" in the title is somewhat misleading. This is a fairly introductory text for generic game theory, not really the evolutionary game theory which is more complicated creature. Gintis touches on some topics and provides some illustrations--more than most "basic" game theory texts, in fact, but not in depth. To learn the real deal, you will need more advanced texts such as Weibull. On the other hand, of course, they are much denser and will make a lot less sense.

I’ve been looking for a book like this for a long while. I first got it from the library but after starting it I knew I needed to own it. I know the basics of game theory (there is a great iTunes U class from Yale if you want an intro). But I wanted to go beyond the basics, especially in regards to game theory and evolution. I read Maynard Smiths book Evolution and the Theory of Games which is great but I needed something more like a text book with sample problems. After much looking I found it this is exactly what I needed. Lots of detail and depth. Not an easy read, I’m still working through it doing most of the exercises but if you want to go deep into game theory and how it relates to things like an ESS this is the best book I’ve seen and I’ve looked at several.

The company that sent the copy of the book did not even bother to include the bill. The book came in an envelope; not packaged as a standard Amazon book. Perhaps SOME COMPANIES rate countries and act accordingly. Some countries are rated below some criteria, so send in an envelope, the US? the UK? Canada? send in a box. I repeat, this applies to the company that sent me the book; not all companies working with Amazon.As to the book, I believe that the chapter 11 on dynamical systems separates the book from other game theory texts. The emphasis upon evolutionary game theory is a particularly commended attempt. The answers to exercises are detailed and exceptionally helpful.However, the level of the book is a bit imprecise: it is definitely not an introductory text. Readers should have some game theory expertise. I believe that any addition of easier exercises would help the book to wet the appetite of many readers eager to learn some evolutionary game theory.

The text is an easy way to pick up game theoretic concepts. I did not have much game theory in undergrad and used this book to prepare my intuition going into a graduate course on it. Seldom do I get drawn into books and not want to put them down (especially ones with academic pursuits) but this book was an exception. Almost did not want to put it down because it piqued my curiosity and was well written.

The book explicates with several examples the part related to "evolution" of the game theory. This aspect is very important for the application to the biology, not only to the economy. The examples are several and they are showed in a simple way. It's important the equilibrium of the Nash bargaining and the connections with the chaos theory.

To learn a subject like game theory requires hours spent tackling difficult problems. Herb Gintis recognizes this, and includes both problems and partial solutions within the book itself. This makes "Game Theory Evolving" ideal for self-study, and I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Indeed, this book gave me the confidence to tackle more advanced tomes, and to create my own game theoretic models.

excellent!