The provided text introduces the autobiography of Edward Thorp, a renowned mathematician whose genius extended to the realms of gambling and finance. It highlights his revolutionary card-counting strategy for blackjack, which famously "beat the dealer" in Las Vegas, and his pioneering work in quantitative investment, transforming Wall Street with his "market-neutral" approach. The text explains how Thorp applied mathematical principles, including risk management via the Kelly Criterion, to consistently achieve significant returns while minimizing risk. Ultimately, it emphasizes Thorp's unwavering rationality as the cornerstone of his remarkable success in diverse and competitive environments.