Who Gets What ― and Why: The New Economics of Matchmaking and Market Design

Winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Economics (with Lloyd Shapley)  "Who Gets What—and Why will be widely admired for its relevance and depth—it is the kind of book about which reviewers will say things like 'brilliantly original' and 'tour de force.' Economists and psychologists typically think of people as consumers who are choosing one brand of soap or peanut butter over another, but the fact is that all of life's important and interesting choices—the choice of a school, a profession, a friend, a lover—involve both choosing and being chosen ... Who Gets What—and Why will be a readable treatment of this topic by the man who is its father, and it will appeal to the intelligent readers who made The Elegant Universe or Guns, Germs, and Steel bestsellers."
— Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness  "Al is a rare individual, one of the most wonderful human beings and fantastic researchers I have ever met ... Al's research on matching is special and unique in the economics field ... It is about designing the world, and if I had to pick someone to design our world or guide us through it, it would be Al."
— Dan Ariely, author of Predictably Irrational  "Al Roth is a brilliantly original thinker, but he has spent his entire career solving real, practical problems. He designs markets, but has thought harder than anyone about the ethics and emotions of the marketplace. What's more, he saves lives. Not in some abstract sense: he has saved the lives of real people, and you can shake their hands, look them in the eye, and hear them tell you how he did it. We need more economists like him."
— Tim Harford, author of The Logic of Life and The Undercover Economist

“Mr. Roth’s work has been to discover the most efficient and equitable methods of matching and implement them in the world. He writes with verve and style...Who Gets What—and Why is a pleasure to read.”

—Wall Street Journal   “In his fluent and accessible book, Mr Roth vividly describes the successes of market design.” —Economist.com   “In this fascinating, often surprising book, Alvin Roth guides us through the jungle of modern life, pointing to the many markets that are hidden in plain view all around us. He teaches us how markets work—and fail—and how we can build better ones.” —Dan Ariely, author of Predictably Irrational and The Honest Truth About Dishonesty “If you have a market you want to work better, Al Roth is your man.  His new book is fun and compelling—social science at its best.” —N. Gregory Mankiw, Robert M. Beren Professor of Economics, Harvard University and author of Principles of Economics “In a book filled with wit, charm, common sense and uncommon wisdom, Roth challenges traditional economics by emphasizing that markets can often be freer and work much better when they are governed by carefully chosen rules!” —Paul Milgrom, the Shirley and Leonard Ely Professor of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University “The co-recipient of the 2012 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences introduces what he calls the new economics of matchmaking and market design....Roth’s case studies illustrate how problems that obstruct successful matches can be identified economically and overcome....An exciting practical approach to economics that enables both individuals and institutions to achieve their goals without running afoul of the profit motive.” —STARRED Kirkus Reviews “Practical as well as theoretical. Understanding how matching markets operate can help readers navigate them more effectively. A solid match for readers in general economics and business collections.” —Library Journal

“In this fascinating, often surprising book, Alvin Roth guides us through the jungle of modern life, pointing to the many markets that are hidden in plain view all around us. He teaches us how markets work—and fail—and how we can build better ones.”

—Dan Ariely, author of Predictably Irrational and The Honest Truth About Dishonesty

“In this fascinating, often surprising book, Alvin Roth guides us through the jungle of modern life, pointing to the many markets that are hidden in plain view all around us. He teaches us how markets work—and fail—and how we can build better ones.”

—Dan Ariely, author of Predictably Irrational and The Honest Truth About Dishonesty “If you have a market you want to work better, Al Roth is your man.  His new book is fun and compelling—social science at its best.” —N. Gregory Mankiw, Robert M. Beren Professor of Economics, Harvard University and author of Principles of Economics “In a book filled with wit, charm, common sense and uncommon wisdom, Roth challenges traditional economics by emphasizing that markets can often be freer and work much better when they are governed by carefully chosen rules!” —Paul Milgrom, the Shirley and Leonard Ely Professor of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University “The co-recipient of the 2012 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences introduces what he calls the new economics of matchmaking and market design....Roth’s case studies illustrate how problems that obstruct successful matches can be identified economically and overcome....An exciting practical approach to economics that enables both individuals and institutions to achieve their goals without running afoul of the profit motive.” —STARRED Kirkus Reviews

“In this fascinating, often surprising book, Alvin Roth guides us through the jungle of modern life, pointing to the many markets that are hidden in plain view all around us. He teaches us how markets work—and fail—and how we can build better ones.” —Dan Ariely, author of Predictably Irrational and The Honest Truth About Dishonesty