Finite and Infinite Games: A Vision of Life as Play and Possibility
by James P. Carse
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Book Reviews of Finite and Infinite Games: A Vision of Life as Play and Possibility
Book Review: Is life more accurately viewed as participitating in a game?
Summary: 4 Stars
Finite and infinite games is a very different kind of book. Carse does direct the reader to an unusual POV concerning or our engagement in social roles and instutional responsibilities. Much of is indeed palatable even though you feel like he's hitting you over the head with the propaganda like structure of the book. Also, I must admit that I found the book kind of inspirational. In a sneaky sort of way, it validates some of our doubts about levels of committment and sanity in our social endeavors. In the end its about just that, and seeks to redirect our efforts to the cause of aligning our self with our social destiny...Ha..but maybe I'm wrong! Is it just a wacked out Self-Help manifesto?Book Review: New Age Nonsense? PSHAW!
Summary: 5 Stars
I want to specifically respond to the reviewer who wrote that this book is "new age nonsense" and that it encourages Christianity. Firstly, that's an impossible juxtaposition if I've ever heard one. Secondly, the book explains quite succintly that an infinite player could never seriously be a Christian. Read the book again, and you'll see that, while it does offer a way of viewing life that could dictate how one acts spiritually, it actually offers a very logical way of appreciating the world. There's far more to this book than just an analysis of spirituality, but of war, nature, technology -- if it's in our world, it's covered somehow in this extrodinary book.Book Review: Interesting!!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
Carse's general idea / concept of infinite & finite games is very interesting but I must say that as I read through the book I can't help but feel that there seems to be a departure. The book eventually evolve to something quite distrubing and unsure (to me at least). Perhaps it's something we are all not too fimilar with, but something just don't seem right. I think I'll go along with Hampden-Turner & Trompenaars' take on finite&infinite games as in their "Mastering the infinite game" book. They seem to catch the essense. Yes,indeed it's the essense of Carse's idea which makes "finite & infinite games" interesting.Book Review: Another perspective
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the second time I've owned this book; lost it in a downsizing. But it
was such a different way of looking at life, I needed to have it to refer to.
It views our behavior as a series of games; somw played to win, others for
the pleasure of continuing to play. I think such a viewpoint helps us to see
what we are doing in a more important way - perhaps the temporary and fleet-
ing versus the more satisfying over the long pull. I heartily recommend it to
those who wish to be more conscious of what they are doing, so they may be
able to distinguish between what is temporary and what lasts.
Book Review: New Age Nonsense
Summary: 1 Stars
Having an interest in Game Theory, and also seeing the praise this book has received from reviewers, not least on this site, I opened this book with high hopes. Imagine my disappointment, therefore, on discovering that it is pure New Age-type drivel with a pseudo-philosophical style. Imagine my further disappointment on discovering that the book is a Trojan horse for encouraging spirituality or religious beliefs, specifically Christianity, although the author pretends to deny this.Don't be fooled by the references to Wittgenstein et al, this is altogether a mendacious piece of tripe which will appeal only to the feeble-minded.