The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine
By Michael Lewis
- Release Date: 2011-02-01
- Genre: Economics
Description
The #1 New York Times bestseller: "It is the work of our greatest financial journalist, at the top of his game. And it's essential reading."—Graydon Carter, Vanity Fair
The real story of the crash began in bizarre feeder markets where the sun doesn't shine and the SEC doesn't dare, or bother, to tread: the bond and real estate derivative markets where geeks invent impenetrable securities to profit from the misery of lower- and middle-class Americans who can't pay their debts. The smart people who understood what was or might be happening were paralyzed by hope and fear; in any case, they weren't talking.
Michael Lewis creates a fresh, character-driven narrative brimming with indignation and dark humor, a fitting sequel to his #1 bestseller Liar's Poker. Out of a handful of unlikely-really unlikely-heroes, Lewis fashions a story as compelling and unusual as any of his earlier bestsellers, proving yet again that he is the finest and funniest chronicler of our time.
Reviews
Holy Cow!
5By A. M. McDonaghLewis hit it out of the ballpark with this book.No Adults in the Room
5By TimesAddicto.OLewis’s story yields major league insight into the greed, incentive misalignment, and plain thoughtlessness that catalyzed the collapse of the housing market.Phenomenal
5By MackOylerLoved this book. Couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this to anyone. I plan on reading it again in the near future.Engaging
4By FindoilI could not put this book down. Great job Michael Lewis!Close but no cigar
5By PeachBeachBravoIMHO Politicians authored the housing market crash. Wall Street firms capitalized on it. When I attended a sales meeting in 2003 and a "trusted lender" pronounced that 'anyone with a heartbeat can qualify' for a home mortgage loan, I knew then that the end was near. And so it was in 2005 in the Philadelphia area real estate market. ML Durham-Butler REALTORGreat Read
5By Gps + someIf you are really interested in getting an understanding of the 2008 financial collapse, this is the book to read. It not only gives you a great insight into the world of subprime mortgage bonds, but it even teaches you a thing or two about Wall Street in general.Read this Book
5By ZinguyIf you read nothing else before this years presidential election you should read this book. The author takes great pains to couch complicated financial concepts into easy to understand explanations. The book is entertaining as well as informative making it an enjoyable if also disturbing read.As always..
5By keacamMichael Lewis hits a home run. His writing and the content are engrossing and educating. I enjoyed this book immensely as I do all his books.Disgusting
5By Jak4971Loved this book but it reminded me, in a way, of Washington DC with an isolated group of people with giant egos who believe they can never be wrong. The book reveals gross arrogance and incompetence in financial markets that nearly crippled the US economy. They manipulated everything in pursuit of their obscene bonuses and no thought to the lives and institutions they destroyedA must read
5By Gearedup3567Excellent book. Never a dull moment and all the facts were on point. Truly a great narrative that shares the facts so anyone can read them.