10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A classic with a new relevance today, 29 April 2009
Lewis' 'Liar's Poker' was an instant classic upon publication. Yet it had an adverse effect: instead of being read as the critical account it was intended to be, an entire genereation of investment banker's used this book as a 'how to' guide and a prime resource of information on how to survive on Wall Street or in the City of London.
At present it attains a new relevance: the book can be read as am account of the culture that lead to the problems in the financial system.
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
great picture of certain events, at a certain time for all interested in investment banking and finance, 26 Feb 2008
Liar's Poker offers you a journey into the world of a sophisticated money-making machine: a global investment bank.
As an ex- Bankers Trust employee, I can claim I have met many people similar to the characters in the book, and I can say the characters, events, their habits appear very well pictured. Even though it is technical at times, this book is light years away from many boring books like "see how smart I was making my fortune".
This book explains a lot about how money was made and lost during these times. It gives examples of strategies and market context. More importantly it also shows you of people's greed, fear and the consequences of that. It illustrates relations within junior and senior staff in a bank like this in a very honest way.
The most exciting thing about it is that the author keeps a distance to events, millions of profit, important people and institutions mentioned in the book. Few of people working inside such an institution can say that.
I have recommended Liar's Poker to some people, and it seems it has changed the way they see their jobs and careers. Finally, this book makes you think - that is what good books are about.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
More fun than serious, 23 Aug 1998
By A Customer
Anybody looking for a sober review of the financial markets in the 1980's and/or Salomon Brothers' role in it will be disappointed. However, as a review of one man's experience on Wall Street, it is suoerb. Michael Lewis is a wonderful storyteller, and he writes this book so that you don't need a deep knowledge of finance to enjoy it.
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