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shareen17's review against another edition
4.0
Nonfiction isn't my favorite genre. When I do read it, I like nonfiction that reads like a novel - similar pacing, characters, suspense, humor. This book about the mortgage crisis/financial mess of 2007/2008 has all that and more. I haven't read any other book on the topic, so I'm not even close to knowledgable on the subject, but I found his case very convincing. And his writing is so expressive. For some reason, I just love this sentence: "The argument stopper was Lippman's one-man quantitative support team." This book is full of great sentences like that. Even people who have little to no interest in the financial meltdown would like this book I think. Warning, he does quote from people who swear freely.
sksrenninger's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know much more about credit default swaps and collateralized debt obligations than I did before, but not for lack of trying on either my part or Michael Lewis's. The metaphors that he uses for these financial products--buildings, insurance--were really helpful to me, as were the individual narratives. I can't speak to how accurately it reflects reality, but I really enjoyed reading this book.
seldonsplan's review against another edition
4.0
I really think anyone with even a remote interest in the financial crisis should read this book. It's written in a very entertaining way (more like your friend telling you a story, not like a normal non-fiction) and the story is fascinating in a horrifying kind of way. If you combine this with Crisis Economics or All The Devils Are Here, you might become depressed/incredibly cynical, but you'll be really well informed on our financial system.
nderiley's review against another edition
4.0
Well paced, Lewis does a great job explaining the very complicated inner workings of the cause of the 2008 financial crisis. You'll finish this book angry that more humans weren't held accountable.
simplymattis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.25
ameliabiblio's review against another edition
5.0
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the universe." -Albert Einstein
jamiehandy's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed reading this book. I found so much of it be fascinating and I found the explanations of really hard financial topics to be good. I'm still blown away by how stupid so many people were. How many people were willing to turn a blind eye and not question anything when so very much was at stake.
dern7663's review
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Wow not sure I fully understand how the whole subprime mortgage part but an interesting insight to how the 2008 crash happened. Really seems all these guys that made money were more lucky than genius as the book seems to indicate.
alpettit's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.25
Greed. So much greed. Unchecked and not remedied. This book was well written, well researched, and well paced. A little confusing at times with so many people involved, but overall put together well. The author did a good job of explaining complicated topics. It created such a steam roller effect in that you knew what was about to happen but still were anxious. Like watching the movie Titanic.