Knowing when to hold 'em, and when to fold 'em is one of life's perpetual mysteries. If you have a mathematical inclination, or a bent for probabilities, this book might well catalyze a turning point in your life. It explains how simple algorithms can be applied to our everyday lives, helping to solve common problems.

I devour books at a rate of at least two a week, and haven't written a book review in years, but before I got to the end of the first chapter, I wanted to tell the world about this book. I'm a mathematician at heart and a keen student of statistics and probabilities, and ... well, real life problems aren't easily solved with a mathematical formula and scientific methodology.

In many cases, after reading this book, I realize how wrong that last statement can be.

No-one likes doing interviews for new staff, but like other critically-important pain-in-the-butt things you encounter in business, ya gotta do it.

You do not want to do too many interviews though, because it takes usable hours out of your life, so what's the best point to make a decision?

There's much more to the book than some of the simple examples in Chapter one, but, hey, who hasn't looked for a parking spot ...

and who hasn't wondered just how to calculate the best trigger points for decisions.



... and if you like chapter one, you'll just revel in the following chapters as the very practical information just keeps on coming.

and you will love some of the concepts ...

My Facebook post on this book was as follows: Astonishingly useful advice - a book that belongs as much in the mathematics section of the library as "self help" - pure, simple, advice on how to make the best decisions and minimize regret. Recommended particularly as an audio book to listen to while you commute.

And that's the key to who will find this book useful. Geeks will adore it. Don't let the math frighten you though, because the concepts are explained well and should be equally accessible and applicable for non-geeks. It could have equally been titled "how to solve common problems." This is self-help for everyone, PARTICULARLY those who are not mathematically inclined.

I listened to it the first time as an audio book and this is definitely one of those books that will make you smarter while you commute.

Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions is available from Amazon for US$17.23 and from Audible for $20.99.