The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine

The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine

2010 • 320 pages

Ratings8

Average rating4.1

15

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.


Become a Librarian

Reviews

Popular Reviews

Reviews with the most likes.

Probably a 3.5.

The tale is frightening, the telling of it a touch messy at times. The jargon - frustrating.

December 28, 2016

I read this after seeing the film and enjoyed it, although I'm still not entirely sure what credit default swaps are. I kinda get it, but it's still somewhat confusing. Totally worth reading though.

January 11, 2017

Top Lists

See all (2)

List

3,772 books

Owned

In the Blink of An Eye
The Horse Dancer
One Plus One
The Last Letter from Your Lover
Still Me
The Girl You Left Behind
4:50 from Paddington