SKU: 94589541236

Fooled by Randomness: The Hidden Role of Chance in Life and in the Markets

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Fooled by Randomness: The Hidden Role of Chance in Life and in the MarketsFooled by Randomness is a standalone book in Nassim Nicholas Taleb's landmark Incerto series, an investigation of opacity, luck, uncertainty, probability, human error, risk, and decision making in a world we don't understand. The other books in the series are The Black Swan, Antifragile, Skin in the Game, and The Bed of Procrustes. Now in a striking new hardcover edition, Fooled by Randomness is the word of mouth sensation that will change the way you

Fooled by Randomness is a standalone book in Nassim Nicholas Taleb's landmark Incerto series, an investigation of opacity, luck, uncertainty, probability, human error, risk, and decision-making in a world we don't understand. The other books in the series are The Black Swan, Antifragile, Skin in the Game, and The Bed of Procrustes.

Now in a striking new hardcover edition, Fooled by Randomness is the word-of-mouth sensation that will change the way you think about business and the world. Nassim Nicholas Taleb-veteran trader, renowned risk expert, polymathic scholar, erudite raconteur, and New York Times bestselling author of The Black Swan-has written a modern classic that turns on its head what we believe about luck and skill.

This book is about luck-or more precisely, about how we perceive and deal with luck in life and business. Set against the backdrop of the most conspicuous forum in which luck is mistaken for skill-the world of trading-Fooled by Randomness provides captivating insight into one of the least understood factors in all our lives. Writing in an entertaining narrative style, the author tackles major intellectual issues related to the underestimation of the influence of happenstance on our lives.

The book is populated with an array of characters, some of whom have grasped, in their own way, the significance of chance: the baseball legend Yogi Berra; the philosopher of knowledge Karl Popper; the ancient world's wisest man, Solon; the modern financier George Soros; and the Greek voyager Odysseus. We also meet the fictional Nero, who seems to understand the role of randomness in his professional life but falls victim to his own superstitious foolishness.

However, the most recognizable character of all remains unnamed-the lucky fool who happens to be in the right place at the right time-he embodies the "survival of the least fit." Such individuals attract devoted followers who believe in their guru's insights and methods. But no one can replicate what is obtained by chance.

Are we capable of distinguishing the fortunate charlatan from the genuine visionary? Must we always try to uncover nonexistent messages in random events? It may be impossible to guard ourselves against the vagaries of the goddess Fortuna, but after reading Fooled by Randomness we can be a little better prepared.

PRAISE FOR FOOLED BY RANDOMNESS

Named by Fortune One of the Smartest Books of All Time

A Financial Times Best Business Book of the Year

" Fooled by Randomness] is to conventional Wall Street wisdom approximately what Martin Luther's ninety-five theses were to the Catholic Church."
-Malcolm Gladwell, author of Blink

"The book that rolled down Wall Street like a hand grenade."
-Maggie Mahar, author of Bull A History of the Boom, 1982--1999

"Fascinating . . . Taleb will grab you."
-Peter L. Bernstein, author of Capital Ideas Evolving

"Recalls the best of scientist/essayists like Richard Dawkins . . . and Stephen Jay Gould."
-Michael Schrage, author of Serious Play: How the World's Best Companies Simulate to Innovate

"We need a book like this. . . . Fun to read, refreshingly independent-minded."
-Robert J. Shiller, author of Irrational Exuberance

"Powerful . . . loaded with crackling little insights and] extreme brilliance."
-National Review

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Random House
Published: 10/14/2008
ISBN: 9781400067930
Pages: 316
Weight: 1.31lbs
Size: 9.50h x 6.26w x 1.17d
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SKU: 94589541236

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Edward X Clinton, Jr.
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
It is easy to read and understand the English prose. Highly recommended.
Format: Hardcover
I am not conversant with Ancient Greek, but I decided to read this book. The prose is easy to read and understand. It uses the type of English phrasing that we would use in ordinary conversation. I found this difficult book easy to read and I value that. I don't know whether it is better or worse than any other translation of Thucydides, but I enjoyed it. Thucydides emerges as an analytical historian with a strong moral point of view and trenchant criticisms of the Athenians and their leadership. This book continues the modern trend of making classical texts easier to read by using plain English. It is much appreciated.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2026
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Kelsey
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Reading is KEY to success!!! We love this book and many others similar to it!
Format: Paperback, Format: Paperback
LOVE IT!!! We are readers in my house. Reading is KEY to success!!! I posted some pictures of sample pages. I like to see sample pages before ordering a book. I will go to Google and search. Wish Amazon/the sellers would post sample pages of the books on here to make it eaiser!! My son loves these kid friendly creepy stories.. we have ordered approximately 90 books to read over the summer, several are kid friendly scary stories, they're hard to find, though... We also purchased a bunch of the Geographic kids books to learn about animals, plants, solar system and volcanoes.... I can't wait to dig into them. Reading is key to success and hopefully my two will learn a good bit of info over the summer.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2021
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Nicole Duhon
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
New Favorite!
Format: Paperback
My 1st grader loved this one! We really enjoyed the way the story unfolds to point out that there is really nothing "normal" about anyone. We're all different, but we also have similarities, and everyone can be friends. It's also an encouraging story for anyone who might be moving to a new city and going to a new school.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2016
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Christina Bardine
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Both my kids love this book
Format: Paperback
Both my kids love books on monsters so this was an easy read and sell.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2021
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Sassy
Boise, US
★★★★★ 4
Different, cute and funny. Must have for monster- lovers.
Format: Paperback
Cute little story. Enjoyed by 5 and 6 year old. 3 year old didn't really care for it.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2015

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