The Truth Detective: A Poker Player's Guide to a Complex World

(Hardback, Main)

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Description

From uncertainty and risk to ambiguity, emotion and non-verbal behaviour, life can be like a game of poker. So approach it like one, with every day critical thinking.

In The Truth Detective, journalist and competitive poker player Alex O'Brien shows how we can survive and make better life decisions using the rules of the game. In a world full of uncertainty and incomplete information, this is a book about getting to the truth.

You'll meet a host of experts who break down the science of navigating a time in which fact and fiction are becoming increasingly hard to tell apart. With psychological research and insight from a range of professionals - from FBI agents and behavioural economists to poker aces and bounty hunters - O'Brien assembles strategies we can use to analyse the information that surround us in our day to day.

Tackle life like a poker player and let The Truth Detective guide your through the jungle of disinformation - and on to success in the game of life.

Reviews

'Through the lens of her personal experience as a poker player, Alex O'Brien reveals the tricks that can help each of us navigate a world beset with uncertainty and misinformation. I gleaned such useful advice from this heartfelt book - and came away also wanting to learn how to play poker!' - Angela Saini, journalist and author of 'Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong' and 'The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule'

'A wise, mind-expanding guide for living in uncertain times. In The Truth Detective, Alex O'Brien draws on her experience at the poker table to provide a whole new lens on the world. A perspective-changing book that will help you make smarter, more informed choices when navigating life's unknowns' - Richard Fisher, author of The Long View

'A fascinating book that uses poker to discuss philosophy, magic, strategy, cognitive science, game theory, deception, biases, risk management, and much more. Who knew one book could teach you so much about poker and the best scientific research in so many fields' - Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, New York Times bestselling author of Everybody Lies and Don't Trust Your Gut

'The Truth Detective is both a riveting read and a call to action. Alex O' Brien intertwines lessons from the poker table with cutting edge scientific research on human behaviour and the brain, showing us how to understand the world better, and to understand ourselves better. I found myself thinking about The Truth Detective long after I read it. Even if you've never played poker, you will be richly entertained and educated by this beautifully written gem of a book' - Jennifer Shahade, author of 'Chess Queens' and two time US Women's Chess Champion

'From the first page to the last, The Truth Detective captivates the reader with a new perspective on an age-old game. Steeped in stories and research, which both inspire and educate, O'Brien has crafted a 'poker book' that belongs on every bedside table, even if you have never played the game. It's that good. And it matters that much' - Erin Lydon

Author Bio

Alex O'Brien is a London based science writer and thinker. Her work has appeared in publications such as The Guardian, BBC, New Scientist and The Times. Shortlisted for Best Newcomer in 2016 by the Association of British Science Writers where she is now vice-chair, O'Brien is an advocate for early critical thinking; in 2022 she founded the Young Science Writer Award, aimed at engaging state-educated young people toward a career in STEM related subjects.