The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds - Hardcover

Lewis, Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 039363437X ISBN 13: 9780393634372

Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc, 2016

Synopsis

Forty years ago, Israeli psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky wrote a series of breathtakingly original studies undoing our assumptions about the decision-making process. Their papers showed the ways in which the human mind erred, systematically, when forced to make judgments in uncertain situations. Their work created the field of behavioral economics, revolutionized Big Data studies, advanced evidence-based medicine, led to a new approach to government regulation, and made much of Michael Lewis's own work possible. Kahneman and Tversky are more responsible than anybody for the powerful trend to mistrust human intuition and defer to algorithms.

The Undoing Project is about a compelling collaboration between two men who have the dimensions of great literary figures. They became heroes in the university and on the battlefield--both had important careers in the Israeli military--and their research was deeply linked to their extraordinary life experiences. Amos Tversky was a brilliant, self-confident warrior and extrovert, the center of rapt attention in any room; Kahneman, a fugitive from the Nazis in his childhood, was an introvert whose questing self-doubt was the seedbed of his ideas. They became one of the greatest partnerships in the history of science, working together so closely that they couldn't remember whose brain originated which ideas, or who should claim credit. They flipped a coin to decide the lead authorship on the first paper they wrote, and simply alternated thereafter.

This story about the workings of the human mind is explored through the personalities of two fascinating individuals so fundamentally different from each other that they seem unlikely friends or colleagues. In the process they may well have changed, for good, mankind's view of its own mind.

About this title

Review

Michael Lewis is a brilliant writer... The Undoing Project is a masterclass in narrative non-fiction (Steven Poole Spectator)

A new book by Michael Lewis promises an absorbing story, dazzling ideas, journalistic flair and originality. He achieves this with extraordinary consistency. In The Undoing Project he has achieved it again. (Danny Finkelstein The Times)

Kahneman and Tversky's deep friendship and intellectual collaboration has arguably done as much to define our world as, say, the intertwining between Francis Crick and James Watson... Michael Lewis, with his great gift for humanising complex and abstract ideas, is exactly the storyteller Tversky and Kahneman deserve. (Tim Adams Observer)

I normally write two or three pages of notes when reviewing a book. On this occasion I scribbled six, often in high excitement. Lewis has a strong journalist's sense of a good story and the book is dotted with hundreds. He also has a feeling for pace and intensity. Although this is an easy read, nothing is wasted and everything seems to be in the right place. And what a story it is! (Bryan Appleyard Sunday Times)

Michael Lewis is perhaps my favourite writer full stop. At his best, Lewis engages both heart and brain like no author, and he tells the story of Tversky and Kahneman beautifully... the final sections will have you weeping (Robert Colvile Daily Telegraph)

Leaves you feeling cleverer (Katie Law Evening Standard)

Part biography of a friendship and part account of psychology's impact, while also taking in much of modern Israel's history, this is a fine showcase of Mr Lewis's range ... it is a story of remarkable individuals succeeding through innovative ideas ... Lewis has managed the unusual feat of interweaving psychology and the friendship between two men (Economist)

Michael Lewis is perhaps my favourite writer full stop ... he engages both heart and brain like no other author, and he tells the story of Tversky and Kahneman beautifully (Robert Colville Telegraph)

Gripping ... There is war, heroism, genius, love, loss, discovery, enduring loyalty and friendship. It is epic stuff ... Michael Lewis is one of the best non-fiction writers of our time. The writing has wit, passion and scientific credibility (Pete Lunn Irish Times)

Michael Lewis could spin gold out of any topic he chose ... his best work ... vivid, original and hard to forget (Tim Harford Financial Times)

From the Back Cover

In 1969 two men met on a university campus. Their names were Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky. They were different in every way. But both were obsessed with the human mind - and both happened to be geniuses. This is the incredible story of how their friendship would change the way we see the world.

'Michael Lewis could spin gold out of any topic he chose ... this is his best work' Tim Harford, Financial Times

'My favourite writer full stop. Engages both heart and brain like no other' Robert Colvile, Daily Telegraph

'Kahneman and Tversky were psychology's Lennon and McCartney ... Lewis is exactly the storyteller they deserve' Observer

'During the final pages, I was blinking back tears' The New York Times

Edition details

• Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 039363437X
• ISBN 13: 9780393634372
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 362