Biography Books

"..I hoped that something would be gained by spilling my soul in the calamity's immediate aftermath, in the roil and torment of the moment I wanted my account to have a raw, ruthless sort of honesty that seemed in danger of leaching away with the passage of time and the dissipation of anguish."

As an avid mountain climber in his youth, Jon had always wanted to climb the Everest. However, as he grew up his dreams faded away into the practicality of a family life. All that changed dramatically when Outside magazine, where he was a contributing editor, commissioned him to write a story about the commercialization of Everest, and agreed to fund him to go all the way to the top as part of Rob Hall's guided expedition of 1996.

The expedition ended in a disaster, when on summit day, a storm blew up out of nowhere and several members of Hall's expedition, as well as Scott Fischer's guided expedition got stuck on the slopes on the way back from the summit.

Five people from the 2 expeditions died as a direct result of the storm, including the two leaders Hall and Fischer. Of course, Jon and many others survived through that difficult day, and many (including Jon) successfully climbed the summit.

Into Thin Air is a chillingly personal and detailed account of this episode. Jon's book gives a detailed description of all the people who were on the peak at that time and the incidents leading upto the disaster and beyond. At times his too-honest approach doesn't hold back from questioning the judgments of several individuals, some of whom died, and many of whom are still alive.

Jon is equally critical of himself, and hasn't spared himself in his analysis of the events around the calamity. "My actions - or failure to act - played a direct role in the death of Andy Harris. And while Yasuko Namba lay dying on the South Col, I was a mere 350 yards away, huddled inside a tent, oblivious to her struggle, concerned only with my own safety."

Into Thin Air raises many difficult moral questions, wrapped inside the tortuous circumstances in which these individuals were coping with the effect of lack of oxygen to the brain. Instead of choosing to answer them in his own way and make judgments of right and wrong, Jon chooses to lay every fact in front of the reader to let them form their own conclusions.

Jon's book is a must read for those who aspire to challenge themselves physically, by going to the Everest or otherwise. But it's also a must read for many of us who encounter situations in our lives where we have to make instant and tough decisions in circumstances where our intellect and emotional control can be excused for failing itself, and where each action can significantly impact the lives of others. While Jon's book isn't a moral guide of any sort, it does force us to introspect by introducing us to an extreme situation which most us of would likely never encounter.

Into This Air is written in a fast paced narrative style, almost like a fiction thriller with some drama thrown in. Go read this book -it's guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seats.

P.S. : The title of this review is borrowed from the name of Scott Fischer's adventure company.

This book is both an engrossing account of a perilous journey up Mt. Everest...the "top of the world"...and a deeper study of what drives individuals to willingly take on great, and known, risks. It is this unique balance of best-seller caliber action and deeper content that make "Into Thin Air" stand out for me.

Krakauer's writing caters to a wide audience and he brings credibility and first-hand experience to the subject matter. When delving into the larger question of what drives people to take on risk, however, his own point of view looms large. As the title of this book includes the words, "A Personal Account," this is understandable, but I found the author's personal outlook overshadowed the theme of life and risk.

Overall, this is a book well worth reading. It offers a gripping account of a harrowing set of events in the loftiest areas on Earth.

Even though the title of the review is what it is, the book does has some interesting tidbits about high altitude mountaineering. For non climbers and arm-chair adventurers it would satisfy you, as the author writes well. You'll learn some intrinsic details, enough to keep the "how and what" types occupied. For this the book gets it's two stars -- good writing and technical details (like the effects of high altitude sickness).

But what makes this book really hard to stomach though, and how a reader can learn to despise the author, is how critical the author is about those in the expedition. Usually I like to know the "real story" in adventure disasters, to know the interpersonal reactions (like the character chemistry in the Scott South Pole Expedition), yet I draw the line at common decency. The Japanese woman climber, he complained about what she carried, claiming it helped to contribute in her death. That cold. Then in the end of the book the author tells of how he tries to cope with the tragedy, and the death of the very people he was critical over. It comes off self-serving, and after the meat puppetry, even put on. Guess the author tries to cope with some anger and denial, which means he didn't recover enough after the tragedy to write the book without it, and would explain how upsetting a read this book can be.

Get the book if you like mountaining stories. Get it for some history (some tidbits about the IMAX expedition in the book). But don't get it if you have a heart, you'll be wanting to tear pages out of the book as he pokes the dead in the eyes.

Of all the books that I have read, this is the best. Absolutely fascinating. And, in my opinion, it's an adventure story that can be enjoyed by folks who aren't necessarily into mountain climbing. My dad gave this book to me as a gift, and he being a writer himself had told me that he thought it was one of the best books he had ever read. I've since given it as a gift to a few of my friends. Also, another fun book by Krakauer is Eiger Dreams, which is a collection of short climbing/survival stories. I'd highly recommend Into Thin Air!

This book should leave any reader stunned and saddened. Great writing, although I think calling it an adventure story may be a little bit of a misnomer. It is truly a tragedy. Krakauer understands the audience he is writing for, but also tries to be sensitive to those who lost their lives on Everest and those who have been left behind in the aftermath of the disastrous May 10th expedition to the summit. Compelling and a page turner.

This was another wonderful, tearful book from Tim Russert. How much we will miss him... I just wish he had written a book about his mother.

Tim Russert was a very humble, everyday man who serves as a role model for young men in his professional and personal life. Great book.

this is another book by late tim russert- he is truely gifted- sad for america that some one so passionate is gone.

I enjoyed lstening to this book very much, it gives a great lesson and tells us how important our fore fathers were and still are in our lives today.

The book is 297 pages & is divided into 21 chapters. The most crucial ones for me were "Honor, Being There, Forgiveness, Missing Dads, The Protector, Discipline, & 75 Reasons."

What was so refreshing about this book was the theme of basic normalcy & decency that most people seem to have. This book should appeal to most people, but it is not only or truly a book about a "father-son relationship." It came across more as a memoir of intimate vignettes, some of which are negative. One of a son whose father missed out being a a dad because of his drug addiction which eventually killed him.

Two of the more positive stories were when a father comforted his son after he told his dad that he was gay, & Kerry a girl who grew up with a stutter, whose dad held her hand & told her "it's ok". There are many life lessons in these stories that are very applicable to people regardless of their own individual backgrounds, beliefs, & experiences. All in all a very inspirational & intimate read.

This is most definitely a 5 Star book & also a 5 Kleenex read. The writer is a real human being & definitely a real dog too. His descriptions made it seem like I was right there every step of the way . What a beautiful story and a beautiful tribute to Man and his Dog. Even , what normally would be very dry commentary on the history of dogs, was most interesting to read. He made the technical information very easy to understand and has the talent to make it part of the story. I learned so much about dogs and even more about humans . What a wonderful read. Don't miss it even if you aren't a dog lover. It touched my heart and my emotions like no other non-fiction book every has .

I just read this book last week, and I couldn't put it down. Just as good as Amazing Gracie and Marley and Me. Well written and very insightful. Entertaining stories and interesting scientific research on the development of dogs from wolves. I picked up some good information on handling my own dogs. I'll be reading this again.

It's a good book, i felt like i was reading a history book tho. It's very educational.

Great book about the observations and insight of a dogs life. They do live for the moment but more to with unconditional love & a master of a companion. When you love your dog there are no boundary between you and the dog but a good partnership right to the end. You begin to see humans have more rules & limits than dogs, you'll discover dogs don't care how they look or care what day it is. More than that everyday is a good day its the moment of how it starts off, after that its a day, thats how they enjoy their lives, knowing they have a master or buddy around.

I began to read this book at the library one day as I was waiting for my mother to pick her books to check out. I could tell right away that it was a great story written in a wonderful style. So, when I got home I ordered it from Amazon. First my mom read it and loved it. Now I have given it to the intended recipient, my son (who had just lost his dog to old age) and when he gets finished with it I will finally get the chance to finish reading it! Looking forward to it!

This has become a very famous book and it deserves to be. It is certainly the type that has you lending it to all your friends and telling them about which pieces are your favorites. I love reading about his family and am a big fan of sister Amy so whenever there's a mention of her I get excited. So many of these stories are hilarious but there are also others that are incredibly sad. Ashes is an unforgettable read. The last selection, Naked, also has some very memorable moments, but the collection as a whole is extremely satisfying. Lots of reviewers make it seem as though reading the book is one marathon of comedy, but I find that a lot of his writing also has really interesting things to say about society and the way people treat others. A lot of the pieces seem to have pain in them but are presented in a generally light and humorous way. A wonderful book from a very talented writer.

Hey hey, this book is fantastic. I'm only a few chapters in but I am definitely laughing the whole way. Good suggestion for sure. And I think I need to go try some of those cupcakes too. I love a good cupcake. I had a fun trip with you a couple weeks ago, and I'll have to take a look at that other book you mentioned. In the meantime I'm laughing at this one pretty hard. Definitely a winner.

Ok Fran - email me if you want. I'd love to hangout sometime and quote movies and song lyrics and eat chicken nuggets.

(Oh, and for everyone else who's name isn't Francine... I'm not a big reader but I definitely like this book. I say give it a go!)

Naked is a collection of short stories and essays about David Sedaris' own life. He is so funny, and clever. You can really identify with his writing and it is the kind of funny that makes you seriously laugh out loud and have people turn to look at you weird. If you enjoy gay men, quirkiness, feel uncomfortable in crowds, ever felt your family was infested with aliens, had siblings, went to camp, went to college, didn't go to college. This is the book for you. It will also interest people above current trends and trival things like fashion.

This book on audio download is wonderful because the stories are hilarious and insightful, and so very honest. It's amazing how David looks at the most serious of subjects through a lens of humor and it works!

The audio book is read by David Sedaris and that makes it much more personal and effective. I couldn't stop listening!

This was my first Sedaris book and I loved it. Laugh-out-loud funny and a down to earth style. I'm not on my 3rd book from this author. Love him!

My recently separated (;-()sister (54) bought this book to help her to build up her self-esteem and loaned it to me while I was visiting. She and I have decided to stage our "comeback" with a November 1st target date - also my son's wedding. Of course we won't overshadow the bride, but we're going to look and feel our very best just the same.

I was a little skeptical about another "Oprah-star" book, but I was hooked soon after cracking the spine. I agree with some of the other reviewers; more pictures of the make-over women in other outfits (both business and casual), some more shoulder-length hair styles (not everyone likes or wants short hair), more guidance on make-up types (creams, powders, liquids) and their usage/application.

I plan to buy my own copy and have some fun consulting with my sister over the next couple of months. It will be a nice re-bonding experience. Thanks!

Christopher Hopkins does a marvelous job here, showing you how to play up your strengths, while gently poking fun at the ways we can dress to look older. Seeing the makeovers in the book will convince you, giving up the old haircut and makeup that feel so safe, can make you look (and feel) so much younger! He teaches you how to determine and dress for your body type, so you can look great with what you have, unlike much fashion advice that is geared to make a 21 year old look great. This book convinced me I could still be pretty and feminine over 45, without the mutton dressed as lamb effect. I took away from this book practical advice I can use, as well as a different outlook on my age. Older doesn't have to mean frumpy or plain. Thank you Christopher!

Awesome read for women who want to 'update' their fashion ideas. A must for anyone over 45. Fun, informative, interesting and helpful. Delivery right on time.

The book is wonderful! Very informative. It helped me choose my body type as well as think when shopping about the rules.

Staging Your Comeback: Beauty Revival for Women Over 45; Christopher Hopkins.

I thought this book was very well done, and had some great before and after pictures for all body types (could have been better with more photos). The women featured looked wonderful after the makeovers, but the clothing selections could have been improved. Great tips on choosing the right clothing styles, hair styles, makeup etc.

If as a 45++ woman, looking your best is important to you, I would recommend this book.

Very , very unhappy with this book and the seller. The book reeks of cigarette smell, it is impossible for me to hold the book in my hands for more then 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Would never buy anything from this seller.

This book was used as the text for a class in library science. It is a very good introduction to the subject and very readable. Anyone interested in studying information or library science might want to check this out to get an overview. It deals with current issues, but it is a foundational text, so the discussions on marketing and Web 2.0 are just mentioned.

Yes it proved uninspiring reading, but get over it! As someone completely new to library science, I learned a lot from Dr. Rubin's book. What do you expect from an academic textbook? Not everyone who writes is a natural storyteller. Despite the fact that this book could be revised differently, it gets the job done rather well. It introduces you to library science, so quit your whining about its dryness.

I bought this book for a graduate course. It has a lot of great information in it, but it's sooooooooo boring.

This is my first book for my Master's of Library and Information Science degree. I already work in the public library which makes this book a little easier to understand. It can be a little dry but I have found that it is readable and informative.

Primo Levi was an Italian Jew arrested for anti-Fascist resistance in 1944 and sent to the camps of Auschwitz. His short, vivid portrayal of the horrors of the Nazi camps there, the depravity of human nature and the extremes that the human psyche can endure, makes for a lasting literary contribution. Not sermonizing about theology or lecturing about good and evil, this bare-bones account nonetheless has dramatic questions for those interested in human nature, the holocaust, and evil. Very fleetingly does he comment on religion (the problem of theodicy is never made as clear as in Elie Wiesel's Night), but he certainly has captured some of the horrible drama of the Nazi death camps.

Primo Levy, a twenty-four-year-old Italian Jew captured "on 13 December 1943" and imprisoned for ten months, provides a chilling, though often poetic, account of his so called life in a concentration camp, while hitting home the frustration and futility of his situation. The best way to describe his story and style is through his own words: (p 15) as they prepared the night before they were to be deported "Everyone felt this: not one of the guards, neither Italian or German, had the courage to come and see what men do when they know they have to die," of the next morning (p 16) "Dawn came on us like a betrayer; it seemed as through the new sun rose as an ally of our enemies to assist in our destruction," after the "six hundred and fifty `pieces'" were loaded "Here we received the first blows; and it was so new and senseless that we felt no pain, neither in body nor in spirit. Only a profound amazement: how can one hit a man without anger?" He is first taken to a camp of 10,000 called Buna, where prisoners work at producing rubber. After being thrown together naked with the others, showered, shaved, disinfected and relieved of all possessions, (p 26) he writes "Then for the first time we became aware that our language lacks words to express this offence, the demolition of a man." About the time they have been settled in to the camp, they learn that they will soon be sent out for their first day of work. A French-speaking prisoner replies to their questions with (p 29) "...you are not at home, this is not a sanatorium, the only exit is by way of the Chimney." They are scheduled to work all but every other Sunday (during which they must work "on upkeep of the Lager") (p 36) "Such will be our life. Every day, according to the established rhythm...go out and come in; work, sleep and eat; fall ill, get better or die." The reader later learns (p 73) "...the Buna factory, on which the Germans were busy for four years and for which countless of us suffered and died, never produced a pound of synthetic rubber."

He writes about the typical prisoner (p 90) "They crowd my memory with their faceless presences, and if I could enclose all the evil of our time in one image, I would choose this image which is familiar to me: an emaciated man, with head drooped and shoulders curved, on whose face and in whose eyes not a trace of a thought could be seen." Fortunately, Mr. Levy qualifies to work in a chemical laboratory, which results in an improvement in his living conditions. Yet the usual worries remained, especially (p 126) the "selections" (those chosen to be exterminated) "the percentage was seven percent of the whole camp." He writes as 1944 comes to a close, after almost a year in captivity (p 143-144) about his thoughts on life only twelve months before, "...the future stood before me as a great treasure. Today the only thing left of the life of those days is what one needs to suffer hunger and cold: I am not even alive enough to know how to kill myself." Eventually, the camp is evacuated. Mr. Levy lives on to provide a wealth of wonderful writing to the world, then dies in 1987 at the age of sixty-seven, falling three storeys from a building to his death (either accidentally or intentionally). Also good, Time's Arrow by Martin Amis, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, and Night by Elle Wiesel.

Mr. Levi's ability to recount his experience with such emotional clarity allowed me to take in a piece of this dark chapter in European history that I might not have been able to otherwise, given the immensity of the horror. I look forward to reading the other two books he wrote on Auschwitz. Highly recommended.

We had to read this book for a World History class I took in college. I was taking 5 classes at the time, so you can imagine how much reading I had to do on a daily basis. I read this book in ONE sitting (very unusual for me). I could not put it down! I laughed. I cried. I read it again! I recommend this book to EVERYONE!

My review of this classic emphasizes matters not raised by previous reviewers, and is based upon the 1986 edition which combines SURVIVAL IN AUSCHWITZ, THE REAWAKENING, and AFTERWORD...

Levi wasn't sent to or near the gas chambers and crematoria. Instead, he was diverted into forced labor in the sub-camp of Monowitz (p. 386), some 7 km east of Auschwitz proper. Poles had to wear a large "P". German political prisoners got various privileges, such as food and clothes from home, and exemption from the dreaded "selections". (p. 183) He saw the bombed-out ruins of the Buna synthetic rubber plant. (p. 137) He predicted that, in the winter of 1944-1945, 7/10ths of the prisoners like him will die. (p. 123)

The reader may not realize that western European Jews commonly looked down upon eastern European Jews as "backward". These feelings were fully reciprocated. Levi comments: "The Germans call them [the Italian Jews] `zwei linke Hande' (two left hands) and even the Polish Jews despise them as they do not speak Yiddish." (p. 49) After his release from Auschwitz, Levi ran across Polish Jews who couldn't believe that Levi was even possibly Jewish because he didn't speak Yiddish. (p. 279)

Unlike most Auschwitz survivors, who traveled west, he traveled east and then south (for map, see pages 178-179). He saw for himself the victimization of the Poles: "In Katowice, and in all Poland, there was a shortage of men; the male population of working age had disappeared, prisoners in Germany and Russia, dispersed among partisan bands, massacred in battle, in the bombardments, in the reprisals, in the Lagers, in the ghettos. Poland was a country in mourning, a country of old men and widows." (p. 239)

In the AFTERWORD, Levi said that, whereas the Nazi concentration camps had 90-98% mortality, the figure for Soviet concentration camps was 30% maximum (p. 389). This is incorrect. Slaves toiling in the gold mines in the Soviet Far East faced close to 100% mortality. And, of course, particular groups targeted for annihilation experienced 100% mortality, be they Jews sent to the gas chambers by the Nazis, or the Polish officers and intellectuals sent to the killing forests near Katyn by the Communists.

Whether or not you think you have the makings of someone who could be rich, this book as an excellent read. I started reading the first chapter to the wife when it arrived, and couldn't put it down from then.
A cross between an Autobiography, a Life Manual (although no advice about life is given, only about getting rich) and a Reference Book.
Absorbing, exciting, funny, witty, and from what i can make out.. truthful.
I highly recommend this book. Now I'll be looking out for Mr Dennis' poetry.. more dosh for his coffers.. not that he'll notice of course.
May your Preparation always be in place when Opportunity presents itself Felix! (For the benefit of those who haven't read it yet it means.. Good Luck!)
10/10

I have read probably about 20 or so books along these "getting rich" lines and I have to say that this is either my #1 or #2 favorite. (The other one that would vie for the top spot is How to be a Billioniare: Proven Strategies from the Titans of Wealth). Mr. Dennis's book is entertaining, inspiring, and chalk-full of high-yield advice and pearls of wisdom that any aspiring mogul should know. I read it on my BlackBerry and highlighted a lot and I plan to regularly go back and review this material as I believe it will truly benefit me on my quest for wealth.

To be objective I do disagree with Mr. Dennis on a few minor points:
- I do think it is possible to attain great wealth without completely sacrificing your life, youth, and relationships
- I have a lower threshold to relinquish equity in exchange for capital and management expertise (e.g. VC capital injection) -- after all, what good is 100% equity in a small company? I'd rather have 10% in a behemoth. (BG only has about 10% in MSFT).

The # of points I agree with Mr. Dennis on are innumerable.

Don't think. Read this book! Bravo Mr. Dennis!

I WANT MY MONEY BACK and MY TIME TOO which I wasted trying to find some advice from this so called rich guy.

Series of Contradictions !

1. First you say, Take Risk
Second you say Don't. For capital, don't go to a banker they are sharks, Don't go to Finanacers they are bad, try to get money and work done the poor way struggling around with your friends. WHERE IS THE RISK ?

2. You says Hire smart people, nurture smart people, respect them and then fire them when required. WHAT's LEFT ? Whats the difference, Whats new ? WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY ?

3. Another advice You can get rich by Luck. I think thats what happened with this guy


I have read 5 chapters and yet to get a real ADVICE, which I can use.

And on top of that VAGUE poems which means nothing but add ambiguity to the topic in hand.

All big words and no substance. I really wonder if this guy is rich or just trying to become rich by SELLING THIS book. Next time I would rather see the bank account of the guy.

I was fool enough to buy the guy's Poem book also.

Please, do not buy this book. It is poorly written, with almost no practical advice.

"How to Get Rich" is Mr. Dennis' flawed attempt to write what he calls the "Anti-self help book". In wanting to prove that he could write a successful "Anti-self help book", It really feels like his ego got in the way of producing a well written book with sound advice about acquiring wealth.

Mr. Dennis admits that it took him 8 weeks to complete the book. It is so poorly written that I am honestly surprised that it took that long. His "advice" is pure fluff (i.e. when you have a publicly held company, don't participate in insider trading - really???)

The one sound piece of advice that he does give is that there are huge sacrifices to make on one's way to acquiring great wealth. However, he endlessly repeats this which works to distract the reader, muddles his train of thought, and simply makes the book much longer than it needs to be.

I truly wish that I could get back the time wasted on this book. After the first few chapters I realized that this was simply fluff and was so incensed that I was determined to complete it so that I could post an honest review.

Again, please do not buy this book - it is a real waste of time.

Felix Dennis started his book with some negative comments about writers of "how to get rich books" who made their fortune by selling those books. Although Dennis did not name Robert Kiyosaki of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" fame, he was the one first to come to mind. Dennis certainly writes better than Kiyosaki (not a great accomplishment), and his advice is coming from more experience. Yet, in terms of getting rich, his advice is not going much farther than Kiyosaki's.

What I liked the most was the warning Dennis gave: What comes with the turf of becoming rich. That part is very heartfelt and insightful, although I have no first hand experience to know whether it is accurate. Dennis certainly does a great job to dissuade most people chasing the dream of being rich.

Near the beginning of the book, Dennis shows two tables: One is based on cash and cash-like (liquid) assets, the other is based on total assets (net worth). In his assessment, you need to have at least $100,000 in liquid assets and at least $2,000,000 to be among "the comfortable poor". I guess, below this level, one is among "the uncomfortable poor". The "comfortably wealthy" sport at least $1 million in cash/liquid assets, and at least $10 million in net worth. The table is realistic. Those below the comfortable poor designation will certainly struggle in the USA. Even those among the comfortably poor may find themselves struggling if they need to pay the college tuition for several kids.

The book contains lots of personal accounts, and gives insight how the rich think about employees, business decisions, family, etc. Dennis sees well that it is morally bankrupt, and to his credit, he is not a hypocrite.

If you expect to get a road map to riches, you will be disappointed. The book contains pearls that are useful, but most of the pearls are not original or novel.

Now, as far the writing is concerned, Felix Dennis is VERBOSE. There is just as much rambling in it as in Kiyosaki's bestseller. In addition, there are expressions, sentences that I expected to see from a poor writer, and not from a poet. For example, Page 125: ".. or you will be stranded, like the last dinosaur, by the last warm lake, on the last continent the ice age has yet to reach." Well, there was no ice age as such associated with the disappearance of the dinosaurs, although a brief climate change may have occurred. Another example (Page 215) is a subtitle: "Focus on keeping your eye on the ball." Actually, keeping your eye on the ball means being focused. I think that Dennis chose the right path in his life: he is probably better in becoming rich than he is in writing books.

As far as I am concerned, this book was mostly a waste of time. If you really want to read it, borrow it from a library or from a friend. Don't waste your money on it.

Michael Lewis' Liar's Poker is a must read for anyone trying to understand the 2008 crisis in mortgage lending and home ownership. In fact, a new edition of the book should be published with a forward by Ben Bernake or Hank Paulson. The autobiography describes a mid-1980's newbie to Wall Street and his induction into the fraternity of mortgage traders at Salomon Brothers and junk bond traders at Drexel. This book rises above a rite of passage story because of the financial chaos which happened during the next three decades.

The 41st trading floor of Salomon Brothers is where millions of dollars exchange hands in minutes. There is a blue collar culture of practical jokes, profanity, Mexican food and pizza. The characters might have come right out of Damon Runyon or Animal House. The main difference between the interns, the traders and the clerks is neither their demeanor nor education but their wealth. In contrast to other books which tell us about the best and the brightest, this book describes ordinary people with excess body fat, perspiration, greed and wealth.

As more homeowners face foreclosure and the US dollar loses value, it is not clear what message to derive from this book. Were it not for these failures of economic policy the book would join other interesting stories about the rich and privileged of Wall Street. But because of this failure of oversight, the book takes us from humor to cynicism and from a sense of national pride to a feeling of national shame.

Is there a ratio of capitalistic reward to risk which is unconscionable in a democratic society? Can this behavior be limited or controlled by financial transparency, tax code, money supply and credit leverage? How do we avoid these consequences of the creation and destruction of capital without moving down the path of socialism? Can we ever put to rest the saying that behind every great fortune is a great crime?

An entertaining look into the life of a Salomon Brothers bond trader in the 1980s. The book offers a cursive overview of the financial innovations during that period, but the real contribution is in examination of the culture and the personalities of the Wall Street traders. Not without some embellishment, Michael Lewis does a great job of communicating the eccentricities and absurdities of the traders - 'the big swinging dicks'. At the very least, 'Liar's Poker' is an entertaining read, at best, an insightful look at what (and who) turns the wheels of our financial institutions.

this book is a must read if you are getting into the financial industry along with "when genius failed" and others.

OUTSTANDING!! This is the single best book I've ever read for learning the basics of life in a Wall St. investment bank. Very accessible and humorous, yet informative as well.

This is a great book. I mean, everyone else says so, so they can't be wrong. Yes, I want a job on wall street.