Ross covers all the bases in this tome on the death knell of Ireland's finances. Written in an engaging and highly readable style that will be familiar to patrons of the Sunday Independent, where Ross is business editor, this book is carefully researched and yet packed with narrative detail. The author, as an Independent senator and financial journalist, seems uniquely placed to comment on the Irish banking crisis. The book particularly shines where Ross includes his own personal asides and recalls conversations (and run-ins) with some of the big names of the crisis.
Along with surveying the mis-deeds of bankers, stockbrokers, developers, politicians (and more), Ross does not omit to include the ever-important global context for the crisis. Whilst never expunging the bankers of their guilt, this does provide useful background and ensures interest can be kept for those more interested in how Ireland's crisis fits in with the rest of the world.
Undoubtedly, this work will chime in well with the sentiments of many who, warily eyeing the forthcoming NAMA legislation, feel cheated by the banks. And yet in his narrative Ross ensures we recognise the culture that fostered such recklessness.
I will be recommending this book to anyone who has any interest in the current state of Irish economics, and slotting it in on the Christmas list for all those 'hard to buy-for' friends.