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Nassim Nicholas Taleb
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The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms Audio CD – Unabridged, March 1, 2021

by Nassim Nicholas Taleb (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,624 ratings
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By the author of the modern classis The Black Swan, this collection of aphorisms and meditations expresses his major ideas in ways you least expect. The Bed of Procrustes takes its title from Greek mythology: the story of a man who made his visitors fit his bed to perfection by either stretching them or cutting their limbs. It represents Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s view of modern civilization’s hubristic side effects—modifying humans to satisfy technology, blaming reality for not fitting economic models, inventing diseases to sell drugs, defining intelligence as what can be tested in a classroom, and convincing people that employment is not slavery. Playful and irreverent, these aphorisms will surprise you by exposing self-delusions you have been living with but never recognized. With a rare combination of pointed wit and potent wisdom, Taleb plows through human illusions, contrasting the classical values of courage, elegance, and erudition against the modern diseases of nerdiness, philistinism, and phoniness.
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  1. Book 4 of 5
    Incerto
  2. Print length
    1 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Gildan Audio and Blackstone Publishing
  5. Publication date
    March 1, 2021
  6. Dimensions
    5.2 x 5.7 inches
  7. ISBN-13
    979-8200563838
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Happily provocative...Mr. Taleb is so calculatedly abrasive in this smart, attention-getting little book that he achieves his main objective. A good maxim, he writes, allows you to have the last word without even starting a conversation.

-- "New York Times"

"Idiosyncratically brilliant."

-- "Niall Ferguson"

"The hottest thinker in the world."

-- "Sunday Times (London)"

"The most prophetic voice of all."

-- "GQ"

About the Author

Nassim Nicholas Taleb is the New York Times bestselling author of The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable, Fooled By Randomness: The Hidden Role of Chance in Life and in the Markets, Antifragile: Things that Gain from Disorder, and others. In addition to his books, he has written many academic essays and articles for scholarly journals. He received a PhD, MS, and BS from the University of Paris and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania. He is currently Distinguished Professor of Risk Engineering at New York Universitys Polytechnic Institute and has given lectures at Oxford University, Stanford University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, among others.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08XLCG47J
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gildan Audio and Blackstone Publishing; Unabridged edition (March 1, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Audio CD ‏ : ‎ 1 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8200563838
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.2 x 5.7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 1,624 ratings

About the author

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Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Nassim Nicholas Taleb

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Nassim Nicholas Taleb spent more than two decades as a risk taker before becoming a full-time essayist and scholar focusing on practical, philosophical, and mathematical problems with chance, luck, and probability. His focus in on how different systems handle disorder.

He now spends most of his time in the intense seclusion of his study, or as a flâneur meditating in cafés. In addition to his life as a trader he spent several years as an academic researcher (12 years as Distinguished Professor at New York University's School of Engineering, Dean's Professor at U. Mass Amherst).

He is the author of the Incerto (latin for uncertainty), accessible in any order (Skin in the Game, Antifragile, The Black Swan, The Bed of Procrustes, and Fooled by Randomness) plus a technical version, The Technical Incerto (Statistical Consequences of Fat Tails). Taleb has also published close to 55 academic and scholarly papers as a backup, technical footnotes to the Incerto in topics ranging from Statistical Physics and Quantitative Finance to Genetics and International affairs. The Incerto has more than 250 translations in 50 languages.

Taleb believes that prizes, honorary degrees, awards, and ceremonialism debase knowledge by turning it into a spectator sport.

""Imagine someone with the erudition of Pico de la Mirandola, the skepticism of Montaigne, solid mathematical training, a restless globetrotter, polyglot, enjoyer of fine wines, specialist of financial derivatives, irrepressible reader, and irascible to the point of readily slapping a disciple." La Tribune (Paris)

A giant of Mediterranean thought ... Now the hottest thinker in the world", London Times

"The most prophetic voice of all" GQ

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
1,624 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful, with one review noting how each saying reveals complex insights. Moreover, they appreciate its readability, being able to finish it in about 2 hours, and its interesting style. Additionally, the book's brevity makes it a good short read, and customers value it as a gift. However, the value for money receives mixed reviews, with several customers finding it essentially worthless.

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110 customers mention "Insight"95 positive15 negative

Customers find the book insightful, describing it as a proper set of philosophical aphorisms that provides delightful food for thought and is full of distilled wisdom.

"...person has some original, perspectives, and statements, that really opened my eyes, and even made me laugh. I am really enjoying this book...." Read more

"Nassim Taleb's book of aphorisms is full of distilled wisdom that will linger in your mind throughout the day, and give you a new way of looking at..." Read more

"...love, friendship, ethics, science, and other psychological and philosophical tidbits. Some are more successful than others...." Read more

"...Part psychology, part insightful, part surgeons knife slicing through marriage, economics, politics, and everyday life, you could read this book in..." Read more

52 customers mention "Enjoyment"52 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, noting it's worth the time and can be read countless times.

"...I am really enjoying this book. The author suggests that you enjoy four or so of these at a time, but I just eat them up...." Read more

"...This very tiny volume, readable in a short sitting, delineates Taleb's thought in a very different manner than his previous books...." Read more

"...of vaguely organized sentiments possesses its gems and is usually entertaining, which may or may not have been the author's intent...." Read more

"An intriguing book based on an interesting thesis, well presented, in saying "we humans, facing limits of knowledge, and things we do not observe,..." Read more

22 customers mention "Readability"22 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, taking about 2 hours to complete, with one customer noting it's an unusual read in the digital age.

"...Most are easy to comprehend on the first reading. Some of them might not make sense to you...." Read more

"...This very tiny volume, readable in a short sitting, delineates Taleb's thought in a very different manner than his previous books...." Read more

"...In brief, this is an eloquent plea to slow down and think...." Read more

"...Robust is when you care more about the few who like your work than the multitude who dislike it...." Read more

17 customers mention "Style"17 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's style, finding it interesting and clever, with one customer noting its beauty in brevity.

"...Not only that, aphoristic writing really seems like an appropriate style for our modern attention spans...." Read more

"An intriguing book based on an interesting thesis, well presented, in saying "we humans, facing limits of knowledge, and things we do not observe,..." Read more

"Aphorisms are a classical way to present and convey in a nutshell wisdom based on contemplation and experience, as illustrated by the maxims of La..." Read more

"...But he is remarkably astute and I love his works...even if I feel a little ripped off...." Read more

13 customers mention "Shortness"10 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate that the book is short.

"...Although this book is short, it is not meant to be digested in one sitting...." Read more

"...Indeed, perhaps, often too common sensical. This is short book, easy to read, and even when you disagree with Taleb, he is humorous..." Read more

"...views on statistical modeling and economics, this work is brilliant, brief, and well worth the time and money you would spend on it...." Read more

"...it needs to be enjoyed sparingly... which is why the shortness of the book makes perfect sense. Any longer and it would have become tiring...." Read more

6 customers mention "Gift value"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book makes a good gift, with one mentioning it's a welcome accompaniment for any occasion, while another notes it's perfect for a plane flight.

"...It is, however, a great companion for people who appreciate a spring board to deeper contemplation, in a variety of subject areas, that nurtures one..." Read more

"...A perfect accompaniment to your next plane flight or quiet night on the road...." Read more

"...It also makes a fine gift. My copy will remain on the coffee table for years to come,a welcome accompaniment for any occasion." Read more

"...- thank you Taleb for taking us beyond mediocrity and into something very special. A fan of all your works." Read more

29 customers mention "Value for money"6 positive23 negative

Customers find the book offers little value for money, describing it as essentially worthless and not very interesting.

"...But when you read it, I think you'll think he's a smaller-minded, less interesting, and less insightful man than you previously thought...." Read more

"What a hugely disappointing book...." Read more

"...It contains a lot of pointless aphorisms that really seem like quite poor advice." Read more

"...on some of the most crowded airports, and that's what I call good value." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Invaluable insight, into the secret, indescribable world of being a new nurse.
    5.0 out of 5 stars What if my favorite books?
    Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    It’s been said that there is nothing new under the sun. With regard to one liners, and analysis of human beings, I thought that was the case.

    I was wrong. This person has some original, perspectives, and statements, that really opened my eyes, and even made me laugh. I am really enjoying this book. The author suggests that you enjoy four or so of these at a time, but I just eat them up. I’m not a stoic, but, I think anyone who is into stoicism would like it
    One person found this helpful
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  • Ropik
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wisdom that will help you look at things differently
    Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Nassim Taleb's book of aphorisms is full of distilled wisdom that will linger in your mind throughout the day, and give you a new way of looking at things that may never have occurred to you. Most are easy to comprehend on the first reading. Some of them might not make sense to you. If so, leave them be, and come back to them another time. Taleb is a contrarian thinker (and a practitioner of what he preaches), and that might unsettle some people, but his ideas ring true. Although this book is short, it is not meant to be digested in one sitting. It's best to think about what he says, and how they apply to life, society, circumstances, and what you might have taken for granted as being conventional wisdom that is flat out wrong. Given the nature of aphorisms, there is no discussion. They just "are". That by no measure doesn't mean that they can't be discussed or debated.. Discuss them with friends, family. Argue about them. Some aphorisms are meant to upset the status quo. Some may feel angered reading something that is the antithesis of their deeply held beliefs. I find its best to be honest with myself, heed the wisdom, apply it to what I know, and admit that I was mistaken to formally strongly held beliefs if it is warranted (I do this with all new information, so this applies to anything I might learn). I don't agree with everything Taleb says, but I do agree with most of it, some to more or lesser extent. (I've read all his books recently, one after the other).

    To the naysayers - 1) Taleb isn't bitter towards people, he just has no patience for people he sees as fraudsters; people with no skin in the game. Academics, economists, financial gurus, journalists, politicians etc. who reverse engineer data to fit their hypothesis and then seek to tell everyone else what to do and how to think. And these people can cause immeasurable harm to the public without any corresponding harm to themselves, and often times will gain from the damage they cause. 2) Some mistake him as being pompous. He just has strong feelings towards frauds, and isn't afraid to express them. He likes people who are real, such as chatty taxi drivers who in his view may have more wisdom than career academics or those who hold them out as being super geniuses who like to dazzle with their precieved brillience.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • ewomack
    4.0 out of 5 stars Who could have predicted this? Another Black Swan?
    Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    In 2007 Nassim Taleb depicted the then current financial situation in America as a brittle house of cards. The subsequent economic crash and burn made his reputation as a seer, though Taleb would never claim prophesy in any form. "I know nothing about the future," he told the Long Now Foundation in February, 2008. He deals not with prediction, but with the unknown, or how humans fail to deal with the unknown, throw it under the carpet and pretend it doesn't exist. "The Black Swan" has become Taleb's symbol for the world's inherent unpredictability. The runaway best seller of the same name has seemingly redefined reality itself for some. From this point on the world looks fuzzier. Taleb has since spread his Black Swan-ism everywhere, and people are listening. But how to follow up such a magnum opus? As if to prove the unpredictability of the world, Taleb releases a thin volume of... aphorisms. Could anyone have expected this? The previously verbose wizard of the unknown takes on the most laconic textual genre next to haiku. Didn't aphorisms go out with Cioran? Not to mention that the book's title sounds right out of 1890: "The Bed of Procrustes: Philosophical and Practical Aphorisms." In recent speeches Taleb has announced that he's now a philosopher. He apparently meant it. But he's still not predicting the future.

    This very tiny volume, readable in a short sitting, delineates Taleb's thought in a very different manner than his previous books. It also takes on some new subjects. A short introduction frames the aphorisms to follow. Here the charming tale of Procrustes gets juxtaposed with our modern sensibilities. But the comparison seems appropriate. Where Procrustes lopped the limbs off of his dinner guests so they fit perfectly into his bed, we moderns chop huge sections of reality away to fit our preconceived notions. In other words, we tend to ignore outliers, random events and unforeseen events with huge consequences. This expresses, though more poetically, many of the ideas included in his previous two books. Many of these ideas reappear in brief form throughout the book. For example, the section "Fooled By Randomness" (also the title of his first book), includes this passage: "The tragedy is that much of what you think is random is in your control and, what's worse, the opposite." Our Procrustean tendency to deny randomness appears throughout the book in blatant and subtle ways. But Taleb also takes on other subjects. For instance, in numerous places employment gets compared to slavery rather bluntly. Some will see the obvious parallels, others may find his examples overbearing. Taleb also talks about love, friendship, ethics, science, and other psychological and philosophical tidbits. Some are more successful than others. Some, such as "Never say no twice if you mean it" inspire nothing more than a furrowed brow and a shrug before moving on. Many are laugh out loud funny: "The opposite of success isn't failure; it is name-dropping." Still more contain real brilliance that may cause double-takes. Regardless, some lines will pass with little reaction and smack more of opinion than of insight. A few come off as bizarre. All in all, the book provides enough food for thought to justify a good solid read. Taleb does have some surprising ideas about reality and how people should spend their time. He definitely favors more free time over long hours at work. Not to mention his thoughts on academia and economics. In the end, this book defies absolute summary, like most aphoristic works. But the reading level remains simple throughout, and readers can browse without worrying too much about context (unlike Nietzsche's aphoristic works).

    "The Bed of Procrustes" definitely has its charms. Not only that, aphoristic writing really seems like an appropriate style for our modern attention spans. Though wisdom often sounds quaint in a rapidly changing society. In any case don't expect this minute book to delineate Taleb's thought in full. Read "Black Swan" for that (get the recently released second edition). This one gives only a slight overview. Though fun and often intriguing, it does not delve into details. Again, those looking for depth should read "Black Swan" and those wanting more should pick up this one as an enjoyable breather. In the meantime, Taleb will likely keep ruminating. Hopefully something else akin to "Black Swan" will pop out of him. He presented one provocative thought in a recent talk that involved using nature as a model for economies. Nothing in nature is too big to fail, he claimed. One could take out nature's largest entity (say, a blue whale) and the entire system would not falter. Unlike our economy where one or two big players could level everything. Though he didn't give details, Taleb presented this as a possible economic model. He also summed up that "if economists ran nature we would all have one lung, etc." That does seem startlingly true. Perhaps emphasizing efficiency over strength weakens us in the long run. In any case, hopefully Taleb will develop such ideas in the future.
    178 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Yu Jie Teo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent selection
    Reviewed in Singapore on November 27, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Very useful to flip to a random page and reflect on the few aphorisms there are there. I had to reconsider a lot of my life choices because of this.
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  • Geoff
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening
    Reviewed in Canada on April 6, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This is a book of statements and many of them, for me, ring true. A number caused me to pause and seriously reflect on their meaning and some I have taken to heart as words of wisdom that should be incorporated into my own way of life.

    This was the final book of the Incerto serious for me and I can honestly say I want to read them all again and reflect more. A great final book and great overall collection of knowledge and understanding..
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  • COMPUTRON
    5.0 out of 5 stars Taleb is full of Wisdom - A+ Book
    Reviewed in Australia on July 7, 2023
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    Taleb is full of Wisdom - A+ Book.
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  • 本郷 篤史
    5.0 out of 5 stars nice book
    Reviewed in Japan on August 12, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    prompt delivery. enjoyable read. I look forward to add more to my collection of taleb.
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  • Hugo
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesante pero caro
    Reviewed in Spain on December 30, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Me gusta Nassim Taleb, pero este libro es caro para tan poca chicha...casi todas las citas ya están por internet y cuando me lo compré vi que las que están en internet son las mejores. Yo no lo compraría de nuevo, pero tengo que decir que "está bien" 3 estrellas.
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