Roll over image to zoom in
Incerto: Fooled by Randomness, the Black Swan, the Bed of Procrustes, Antifragile, Skin in the Game
£52.00£97.00 (-46%)
The landmark five-book series—all together in one boxed set
The Incerto is an investigation of opacity, luck, uncertainty, probability, human error, risk, and decision making when we don’t understand the world, expressed in the form of a personal essay with autobiographical sections, stories, parables, and philosophical, historical, and scientific discussions, in non-overlapping volumes that can be accessed in any order. The main thread is that while there is inordinate uncertainty about what is going on, there is great certainty as to what one should do about it.
This boxed set includes:
FOOLED BY RANDOMNESS
THE BLACK SWAN
THE BED OF PROCRUSTES
ANTIFRAGILE
SKIN IN THE GAME
Read more
Additional information
| Publisher | Random House Inc (1 Jan. 1900) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 1872 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 059324365X |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0593243657 |
| Dimensions | 14.43 x 13.94 x 21.11 cm |
by Paul K.
I have read Fooled by randomness which I enjoyed quite a lot. When I saw this 5 book set and the price was 50% it was an instant choice to purchase. The books itself are very nicely done and they come with a stylist presentation box. Perfect for any library or gift.
by Nawwaf
I am reviewing the set as a physical object, not the books as texts. The books are rather big, but not heavy, binding is smith-sewn, not glued. Paper is of decent enough quality and the books are definitely made to last and withstand multiple readings. Perhaps, I’d like the size of the font to be a bit larger. But on the whole I am very pleased with the quality of the set.
by Chris Anderson
From a distance, the collection looks great, but up close, it looks terrible. The books are easily damaged, and the quality of the fabric isn’t that great, so I wouldn’t call this “deluxe” at all. The third volume also made me want to scream my head off from how cringey it was, the poetry section. Also, please don’t believe any legal opinions he writes. I know that the author isn’t a legal expert, but he makes a lot of legal opinions and claims that are completely false or misguided. His legal opinions are supposed to serve as illustrations for his arguments, so please take them with a grain of salt.
Some volumes were fun, and a lot of sections shine when the author talks rationally, but there’s a decent amount of ranting which I didn’t like. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend unless you’re bored. I read all of them while waiting for meetings, but I can’t imagine myself reading them any other time.
by Chris Anderson
The exterior is beautiful, with the box and the book covers made from a black fabric that is satisfying to hold. The gold inscription contrasts well and the bind quality is excellent.
The only negative is one also noted by others – the paper used is just a shade too thin, meaning that occasionally the text from the opposite page is visible. For me, this is only really noticeable on the pages which follow chapter headings (which have bigger and bolder type). The rest of the time I barely notice and it’s not enough to spoil the books for me by any means. I have included a picture of both a chapter page and a non chapter page so the reader can judge for themselves.
Reprint these with slightly higher quality paper and they will be a perfect collection for any Taleb fan
by EAA
NICELY PACKAGED AND PRESENTED. GOOD QUALITY. BIT ON THE EXPENSIVE SIDE.
by Evgeniya
Excellent books for anyone who enjoys critical thinking. Nassim’s style is somewhat unorthodox with lots of short stories or points simply expressed. If anything, there’s too many important points to take away instantly but once reading his stuff a bit more the messages tend to stick.
As for the actual hardcover books, they are lovely too look at. Only drawback is the cover can collect dust/fluff quite easily but can be brushed off quite easily.
by Evgeniya
What a cheap effort. Random House should know better.
D. S. Sisko and Madison Mark reviewing here cover the problem but are too generous in their rating.
A review of a box set like this is a review of the boxed set and has nothing to do with the ideas therein.
The decision to use a cloth /canvas cover is daft. I expect to be able to pull out a volume from a box on the shelf, without a wrestling match.
Taleb knows a lot about Incerto, but I am Certo about this crappy publication; bad design, no luxe, nor deluxe.
Avoid and buy the original hardbacks, if you must, and teach Random House the meaning of skin in the game.