Episode · Freakonomics Radio · 2026-06-12

Books mentioned on 677. Can Backgammon Save Us from Ourselves?

1 book · With Masayuki Mochizuki, Frank Frigo, Marc Olsen, Robert Wachtel, Remington Davenport, Melissa Shin · Listen · Watch on YouTube

It brings strangers together. It teaches probability, strategy, and emotional control.

Books mentioned, in the order they came up

1. 

   The Backgammon Chronicles

   Robert Wachtel · at 43:15

   Discussed

   “Here's how Bob Woolsey Tel described it in his book The Backgammon Chronicles, A Prose Adventure on Tour, Volume 1. Backgammon has evolved from a model like that of soccer, basketball, or tennis, where it is the fantastic inspired shot that will be the object of awe for years to come, to a sport like gymnastics, or ice skating, or”

   Stephen Dubner 677. Can Backgammon Save Us from Ourselves? 2026-06-12 Listen at 43:15

   Where to get it

   Amazon Audible Bookshop.org Open Library