On the Edge: Inside the Minds of Risk Takers and Power Brokers

In The Signal and the Noise, Nate Silver revealed how forecasting shapes the era of Big Data. Now, in On the Edge, he dives into the world of professional risk takers—the hedge fund managers, poker players, crypto believers, and art collectors who embrace uncertainty and, in doing so, shape the future.

These masters of "The River"—a term Silver uses for those who thrive on risk, probability, and strategic thinking—have an outsized influence on finance, technology, and global power. By embedding himself within their world, Silver uncovers the mindsets, strategies, and blind spots that drive their success and failures. What unites them? A high tolerance for uncertainty, distrust of conventional wisdom, and an ability to detach emotion from decision-making—skills that are essential in an unpredictable world.

From casinos to venture capital firms and even the halls of effective altruism, Silver offers an unparalleled behind-the-scenes look at the high-stakes decisions shaping our society. Who wins? Who loses? And what can we learn from them?

A gripping, deeply-reported journey, On the Edge is a must-read for anyone looking to navigate the risks and rewards of the modern world.