The Undoing Project

I’ve read several of Michael Lewis’s books, but it wasn’t until I listened to a recent interview with Richard Thaler that I discovered The Undoing Project. I suspect many people may not even be aware of who Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky are. The two psychologists formed a partnership that produced ground-breaking work that laid the foundations for behavioural economics. Despite its impact on everyday decision-making, I think the field of behavioural economics remains a relatively niche interest.

Personally, I find the topic fascinating, and I’d encourage anyone unfamiliar with it to invest some time in learning more about it. For those who already well read or educated on the topic you’re likely already aware of Kahneman and Tversky. If so, you should find this book quietly captivating. Lewis weaves together the development of their theories with the deeply human story of their partnership and the friendship they established and eventually lost.

As I read through their most productive years, I couldn’t help but feel a touch of envy at the intellectual connection they shared. To find someone so perfectly matched in curiosity and capability, yet so different in temperament, must have been both exhilarating and rare.

It’s bittersweet to see how their relationship eventually frayed, and even more so in light of Tversky’s early death. Lewis guides the reader through their lives, key moments in their partnership and the later years as their relationship got increasingly complex whilst deteriorating. In the end it seems even in intellectual pursuits maybe it is indeed the fact that sometimes do attract.

Who’s it for?

If you’re new to Kahneman, Tversky, or behavioural economics, this might not immediately resonate, and you may find yourself drifting midway. But if you already have an interest in human psychology, decision-making, or economic thought, you’ll find it a rewarding and entertaining read.