The Strategy of Conflict

By Thomas C. Schelling,

Book cover of The Strategy of Conflict

Book description

A series of closely interrelated essays on game theory, this book deals with an area in which progress has been least satisfactory-the situations where there is a common interest as well as conflict between adversaries: negotiations, war and threats of war, criminal deterrence, extortion, tacit bargaining. It proposes enlightening similarities…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked The Strategy of Conflict as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This is the book that brought game theory to life. Eschewing dry mathematical theorems, and conducting rigorous logical analysis through rich examples of strategic use of threats, promises, and brinkmanship in real life, Schelling opened up a whole world of practical applications of the theory. My own thinking and writing about game theory owes a huge debt to Schelling. You should also read his “Arms and Influence,” “Micromotives and Macrobehavior,” and “Choice and Consequence.”

From Avinash's list on economics and game theory.

Want books like The Strategy of Conflict?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Strategy of Conflict.

Browse books like The Strategy of Conflict

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in negotiation, game theory, and economics?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about negotiation, game theory, and economics.

Negotiation Explore 25 books about negotiation
Game Theory Explore 41 books about game theory
Economics Explore 375 books about economics