The Best Game Theory Books of All Time

Discover the most influential game theory books, recommended by leaders, experts, and readers worldwide

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Recommendations by Michael Shermer, Kirk Borne, Ofer Samocha, Francis Bloch and 16 others

Not sure what to read? Our AI can suggest the most recommended Game Theory books!

1
Book Cover of Michael Maschler, Eilon Solan, Shmuel Zamir - Game Theory

By Michael Maschler – Professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (you?) and 2 more 

4.80
| 2020 | 1050 Pages
Recommended for: 
Undergraduate and graduate students in mathematics. Ages 12 to Adults.
You will:
  • Learn the fundamentals of cooperative and non-cooperative game theory through clear examples.
  • Discover advanced topics such as Bayesian games and mechanism design in depth.
  • Understand the applications of game theory across various disciplines including economics and biology.
  • Explore the mathematical foundations that underpin game theory concepts and theorems.
  • Gain insights into recent research developments and their implications in game theory.
Reviews:
Comprehensive Coverage
Clear Explanations
Numerous Examples
Rigorous Content
Engaging Writing
Advanced Mathematics
Production Quality Issues
  • New York Times Bestseller
  • Rated Amazon Best Book of the Year
Recommended by Eric Maskin, Robert Aumann, David Schmeidler and 3 others
Eric MaskinThere are quite a few good textbooks on game theory now, but for rigor and breadth this one stands out
Robert AumannThis is the book for which the world has been waiting for decades: a definitive, comprehensive account of the mathematical theory of games, by three of the world's biggest experts on the subject. Rigorous yet eminently readable, deep yet comprehensible, replete with a large variety of important real-world applications, it will remain the standard reference in game theory for a very long time
David SchmeidlerThe best and the most comprehensive textbook for advanced courses in game theory
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2
Book Cover of Steven Tadelis - Game Theory: An Introduction

By Steven Tadelis – Associate Professor at UC Berkeley (you?) 

4.74
| 2013 | 416 Pages
Recommended for: 
Advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Ages 12 to Adults.
You will:
  • Learn the core principles of game theory and their applications in various fields.
  • Discover how to analyze strategic interactions between rational decision-makers.
  • Understand the concepts of Nash equilibrium and its significance in game theory.
  • Explore the implications of rationality in multiperson decision problems.
  • Gain insights into bargaining, auctions, and signaling in strategic contexts.
Reviews:
Clear Explanations
Well-Structured
Engaging Examples
Rigorous Approach
Reader-Friendly
Too Complex
Lacks Depth
  • New York Times Bestseller
  • Rated Amazon Best Book of the Year
Recommended by Francis Bloch, Drew Fudenberg, Matthew Jackson and 5 others
Francis BlochSteve Tadelis has written an up-to-date, comprehensive, yet reader-friendly introductory textbook to game theory. He explains difficult concepts in an exceptionally clear and simple way, making the book accessible to students with a minimal background in mathematics
Drew FudenbergSteve Tadelis's Game Theory is an ideal textbook for advanced undergraduates, and great preparation for graduate work. It provides a clear, self-contained, and rigorous treatment of all the key concepts, along with interesting applications; it also introduces key technical tools in a straightforward and intuitive way
Matthew JacksonGame Theory fills a void in the literature, serving as a text for an advanced undergraduate—or masters-level class. It has more detail than most undergraduate texts, while still being accessible to a broad audience and stopping short of the more technical approach of PhD-level texts
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Game Theory Book made by AI

By TailoredRead – AI that creates personalized books for you 

4.98
| 2025 | 30-300 pages
Learn Game Theory faster with a book created specifically for you by state-of-the-art AI. Our AI has vast knowledge of Game Theory, and will craft a custom-tailored book for you in just 10 minutes. This tailored book addresses YOUR unique interests, goals, knowledge level, and background. Available for online reading, PDF download, and Kindle, your custom book will provide personalized insights to help you learn faster, expand your horizons, and accomplish your goals. Embark on your Game Theory learning journey with a personalized book - made exclusively for you.
Recommended for: 
All readers across all knowledge levels.
You will:
  • Get a Game Theory book tailored to your interests, goals, and background
  • Receive a book precisely matching your background and level of knowledge
  • Select which topics you want to learn, exclude the topics you don't
  • Define your learning goals and let your book guide you to accomplish them
  • Get all the knowledge you need consolidated into a single focused book
Reviews:
Insightful
Focused
Highly Personalized
Easy to Read
Engaging
Actionable
Up-to-Date
3
Book Cover of John Von Neumann, Oskar Morgenstern - Theory of Games and Economic Behavior

By John Von Neumann – Pioneering mathematician and game theory co-founder (you?) and 1 more 

4.71
| 2021 | 660 Pages
Recommended for: 
Economists and social scientists. Ages 12 to Adults.
You will:
  • Learn the foundational concepts of game theory and its applications in various fields.
  • Discover how strategic interactions can be modeled mathematically for better decision-making.
  • Understand the significance of utility theory and equilibrium in economic behavior.
  • Explore the historical context and impact of game theory on modern economics.
  • Gain insights into rational decision-making processes in competitive environments.
Reviews:
Groundbreaking Theory
Comprehensive Framework
Enduring Relevance
Strategic Insights
Mathematical Rigor
Poor Print Quality
Dense Content
  • #43 Best Seller in Business Mathematics on Amazon
  • New York Times Bestseller
  • Rated Amazon Best Book of the Year
Added to Reading List by Pelumi Owolabi, Himanshu Lodhiwal, Brandon Qin and 1 other
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