SKU: 36789735235

Fooled by Randomness: The Hidden Role of Chance in Life and in the Markets

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Description

Fooled by Randomness: The Hidden Role of Chance in Life and in the MarketsFooled by Randomness is a standalone book in Nassim Nicholas Taleb's landmark Incerto series, an investigation of opacity, luck, uncertainty, probability, human error, risk, and decision making in a world we don't understand. The other books in the series are The Black Swan, Antifragile, Skin in the Game, and The Bed of Procrustes. Fooled by Randomness is the word of mouth sensation that will change the way you think about business and the world.

Fooled by Randomness is a standalone book in Nassim Nicholas Taleb's landmark Incerto series, an investigation of opacity, luck, uncertainty, probability, human error, risk, and decision-making in a world we don't understand. The other books in the series are The Black Swan, Antifragile, Skin in the Game, and The Bed of Procrustes.

Fooled by Randomness is the word-of-mouth sensation that will change the way you think about business and the world. Nassim Nicholas Taleb-veteran trader, renowned risk expert, polymathic scholar, erudite raconteur, and New York Times bestselling author of The Black Swan-has written a modern classic that turns on its head what we believe about luck and skill.

This book is about luck-or more precisely, about how we perceive and deal with luck in life and business. Set against the backdrop of the most conspicuous forum in which luck is mistaken for skill-the world of trading-Fooled by Randomness provides captivating insight into one of the least understood factors in all our lives. Writing in an entertaining narrative style, the author tackles major intellectual issues related to the underestimation of the influence of happenstance on our lives.

The book is populated with an array of characters, some of whom have grasped, in their own way, the significance of chance: the baseball legend Yogi Berra; the philosopher of knowledge Karl Popper; the ancient world's wisest man, Solon; the modern financier George Soros; and the Greek voyager Odysseus. We also meet the fictional Nero, who seems to understand the role of randomness in his professional life but falls victim to his own superstitious foolishness.

However, the most recognizable character of all remains unnamed-the lucky fool who happens to be in the right place at the right time-he embodies the "survival of the least fit." Such individuals attract devoted followers who believe in their guru's insights and methods. But no one can replicate what is obtained by chance.

Are we capable of distinguishing the fortunate charlatan from the genuine visionary? Must we always try to uncover nonexistent messages in random events? It may be impossible to guard ourselves against the vagaries of the goddess Fortuna, but after reading Fooled by Randomness we can be a little better prepared.

Named by Fortune One of the Smartest Books of All Time

A Financial Times Best Business Book of the Year

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Random House Trade
Published: 08/23/2005
ISBN: 9780812975215
Pages: 316
Weight: 0.63lbs
Size: 8.07h x 5.16w x 0.80d
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SKU: 36789735235

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4.7 ★★★★★
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Product Reviews
R
R. Moheban
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Robust pipe & fittings with a beautiful, smooth black finish
Size: side table leg
This set of pipe & fittings for use as low table legs is heavy duty and aesthetically pleasing. Especially when the pieces are handled, the tactile sensation is much nicer than with plumbing steel pipe because this product is beautifully finished smooth. The black pipes are quite smooth as well as the fittings. The pieces are all also pretty robust, though the wall thicknesses are less than in pipe for pressurized water systems. Of course that makes sense as this product does not need to hold fluid pressure. In my view they got the heaviness factor of this product just right; it's not as heavy or robust as black pipe used in natural gas supplies, but still robust and pretty heavy. Assembled, this product is absolutely stiff and unyielding for a solid table that could hold a man's weight easily. The feet utilize a brilliant scheme so that each foot can be independently adjusted for an uneven floor. Thus a level table on an uneven floor is easily accomplished. The feet simply extend the effective leg length by screwing counter-clockwise. To prevent any shifting at the threads adding some pipe compound or teflon tape may be advised. Even masking or duct tape might work as the idea is to just fill any gaps where male threads meet female threads. The four flanges at the tops of the legs provide a wide, solid surface for attaching the table top, with either hidden screws underneath or you could through-bolt a glass table top (provided you have the skill to drill glass!). I think this product would look great with a glass top. Assembly is quick and easy. The hardest part is drilling holes underneath the table top to accept screws. No pipe wrenches are needed as the pieces screw together by hand to an adequate tightness. If any doubt whether they are tightened enough have a strong person with grippy gloves finish. The "X" in the center attaches to the legs with a very clever machine screw system tightened with the included hex wrench. This is presumably because if tightened simply by screwing the fittings, the point of snugness would not likely be where the "T" fittings are exactly vertical. The maker has solved this problem so that you are assured that all legs will be in the perfect vertical position once everything is tight. The setup is also nice and rigid once tightened. This is a huge benefit of steel pipe projects; they are really solid. The black finish is clearly very durable, like a powder coat. It appears that it will provide excellent protection against rust. Coverage is complete; I found no dings or scratches anywhere on any piece. Overall this is a very well-designed product for function and aesthetics. Perfect for a beautifully renovated warehouse condo where an industrial vibe is desired in a rock-solid table that won't shift around. The smoothness of the pipe is top notch. I've used lots of pipe in projects, some of it actual water pipe and some decorative pipe such as this. I've never seen better quality decorative pipe as this maker put in the effort to finish it beautifully smooth. At currently $34.99 I find the price quite reasonable too.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2026
P
Verified Purchase
patricia
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 3
the height is only 16"
Size: coffee table leg
The height is only 16". From the description it appears to be 24" wide and 24" high.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2026
C
CMC20
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 4
Good DIY Pipe Legs but Powder Coat Quality Lacks
Size: side table leg, Size: side table leg
These industrial style pipe legs make building a DIY end table easy and the kit saves a trip to the hardware store. The fittings go together normally and assembly is simple. Comes individually wrapped. My main issue is the powder coating looks and feels cheap and rubs off easily. The pipes already had marks from touching each other from unboxing. If you do not mind some wear on the finish over time this is a decent purchase. The metal at the hardware store will be thicker and more durable but will cost more. I’d recommend based on ease of having a kit and it being delivered saving me a trip.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2025
M
Mark Weinberg
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Stable, attractive, and easy to turn into a table with your choice of top
Size: side table leg
The X-shape of the table legs - constructed with solid metal flanges, T-joints, X-joints and 1-inch diameter pipes - provides a strong and sturdy base for a wood top. The legs have adjustable feet pads to prevent scratches and ensure stability. Assembly of the legs is relatively simple (the instructions are clear) but you will need your own tools to attach a top. The industrial design is especially well suited to rec room or finished basement use. I am adding a 28" diameter raw edge slab of wood from a recently felled tree as the top and it is very attractive. (Photo unavailable because after I made certain it would work I sent the slab out for drying and finishing.) If you want a custom table and have a particular piece of wood you want to use, these legs are an excellent choice.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2026
G
Grammar Guru
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Very nice kit: Beware it is NOT heavy duty plumbing pipe though!
Size: side table leg
I want to give this kit a high rating, but I need to address the "truth in advertising" bit since there may be an important disconnect between what you think you are getting and what actually comes in the box. Black plumbing used for shelving or table legs is part of an important niche in interior design. I like the industrial loft look myself and have a variety of glass, steel, and masonry elements in my home. This kit fits that look and provides plenty of "strength" for most domestic uses, like shelves or coffee tables. But they are NOT "industrial pipe" or "maximum durability pipe." Note the phrase "cast iron finish feet," which together with the other claims might lead you to think these are cast plumbing fittings. They are NOT! The feet and flanges feel like electrical conduit fittings, and the pipe sections are likely aluminum. They might be electrical or they might be multi-use, lightweight pipe. While all this might lead you to think that you're getting a truly retro, heavy-duty pipe kit made of black plumbing pipe, you are not. But, does it matter? Depends. I find the lighter pipe's smooth finish a nice "tone-down" from the rough plumbing look. All together, this kit provides plenty of strength for most furniture and the rustic pipe look, but with a nicer, lighter finish. To me that is a plus--this is a very nice kit and costs less that if you'd pieced it together from real plumbing parts (I priced it out to compare), and looks retro but cleaner. I knew what to expect because while I got this kit free on Vine, I had purchased a nearly identical kit from another seller last year. So, I'm giving it 5 stars for what it actually is and for the price, JUST BE AWARE THE NARRATIVE IS MISLEADING. Which is unfortunate because just like some people might want the heavier pipe, I'm betting more would be attracted to the look with a cleaner, lighter feel.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2025

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