Elegant, startling, and universal in its applications, The Black Swan is a concept that will change the way you look at the world. Black Swans underlie almost everything, from the rise of religions, to events in our own personal lives. A Black Swan is a highly improbable event with three principle characteristics: it is unpredictable; it carries a massive impact; and, after the fact, we concoct an explanation that makes it appear less random and more predictable than it was. The astonishing success of Google was a black ...
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Elegant, startling, and universal in its applications, The Black Swan is a concept that will change the way you look at the world. Black Swans underlie almost everything, from the rise of religions, to events in our own personal lives. A Black Swan is a highly improbable event with three principle characteristics: it is unpredictable; it carries a massive impact; and, after the fact, we concoct an explanation that makes it appear less random and more predictable than it was. The astonishing success of Google was a black swan; so was 9/11. And why do we always ignore the phenomenon of Black Swans until after they occur? As Nassim Nicholas Taleb reveals, we are hard-wired not to truly estimate risk, too vulnerable to the impulse to simplify, narrate, and categorize and not open enough to rewarding those who can imagine the `impossible'. In this revelatory book, Taleb explains everything we know about what we don't know, and shows us how to face the world.
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Seller's Description:
Good-This Hard Back Book is in good overall condition. The covers are intact with some slight wear. The dust jacket, if applicable, is intact with some slight wear. The spine has creasing. Pages may include notes, folds and highlighting. The "Head", "Tail" and "Fore-Edge" may have markings and/or spots. Thanks for supporting our Mission at Goodwill.
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Good. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are solid. the cover is intact, but may show scuffs or light creases, as well as a possible rolled corner. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, The former owner may have written their name inside the front or back cover.
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Good. All pages and cover are intact. Possible slightly loose binding, minor highlighting and marginalia, cocked spine or torn dust jacket. Maybe an ex-library copy and not include the accompanying CDs, access codes or other supplemental materials.
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Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. The dust jacket or box shows normal wear and tear. May have varying covers. Fast Shipping-Mailed in plastic mailer!
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The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
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Fair. The item is very worn but continues to work perfectly. Signs of wear can include aesthetic issues such as scratches, dents, worn and creased covers, folded page corners and minor liquid stains. All pages and the cover are intact, but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include moderate to heavy amount of notes and highlighting, but the text is not obscured or unreadable. Page edges may have foxing (age related spots and browning). May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
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Fair. The cover has curled corners / dings. Pages have been previously folded or bookmarked. Gently used. There might be writing in the margins, possibly underlining and highlighting of text, but no missing pages or anything that would compromise the legibility or understanding of the text. Get fast and secure shipping knowing your purchase helps empower our community to transform thier lives through work.
Haven't read the book yet. Bought it ahead for November's book club discussion. Plan on reading it this fall.
John T
Feb 13, 2011
Interesting but . . . .
This book has some interesting ideas, but it is somewhat annoying. The author is full of himself and wanders off the subject. However, it does get better as you work through it.
Beanie3
May 13, 2010
The author's snarky tone turned me off. He came off as such a smirking know-it-all that I didn't care what startling new conclusions he had reached.
crunch
Apr 22, 2010
an entertainment lacking in quantitative support
The book arrived with an unreported broken binding.
Taleb's content is entertaining and a useful if informal index of authors he mentions in passing, however as a standalone piece, it lacks substantive value (which I'm sure Taleb himself would admit).
sypsok
Jun 25, 2009
Nice book. Intellectual and eye - opening. I recommend to read this book for everyone interested in different point of view.
