The Big Short
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 Oxford OkieIf 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.Cover to cover <2 days
5By ChattyCathy46I couldn't put it down. Lewis has a gift...Incredible story
5By Bike=goodWell written and fantastically interesting...Very Quick Read on the Financial Crisis
4By BigHatNoCattleLewis' book is an excellent read. The story moves much faster than "Too Big to Fail". Although, if you read both books (To Big to Fail and The Big Short) you get a really good picture of what was going on in 2008. Lewis focuses on the actual CDOs and CDSs that sank the economy. It will blow you away to find out how reckless, clueless, and crooked that subprime industry was.Perfectly written
5By mnranger3I always thought people people thought too much of Michael Lewis and overrated his writing. No more. The book is perfectly written boiling down complex concepts and financial instruments and he has a phenomenal talent for telling multiple stories simultaneously that are interesting but share a common thread that moves the story forward. It is a book on finance that reads like a murder mystery - a page turner and a must read!The Big Short
5By bgf00One of the best books I've ever read. If you want to understand the crisis of 2008 could happen, in an entertaining, informative way, than this is the book to read.The Big Short
5By Jabeezy99Awesome!!Interesting look at the causes of the crisis
5By BongholioVery well written and engaging. Simple to follow even for a non finance readerImpressive
5By CtacctntGreat insight with hindsight. I think he's a bit too critical of government, but the basis of the book is good and well supported.Insightful
5By erdichiaThis book does more than any other in exposing the complexities of Wall Street in the mid 200's. Lewis is a master at helping the average reader understand the financial crisis that occurred in The fall of 2008. This book should be on the short list for anyone thinking about investing.
