Barbarians at the Gate cover art

Barbarians at the Gate

The Fall of RJR Nabisco

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Barbarians at the Gate

By: Bryan Burrough, John Helyar
Narrated by: Eric Jason Martin
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About this listen

“One of the finest, most compelling accounts of what happened to corporate America and Wall Street in the 1980s.” (New York Times Book Review)

A number-one New York Times best seller and arguably the best business narrative ever written, Barbarians at the Gate is the classic account of the fall of RJR Nabisco. An enduring masterpiece of investigative journalism by Bryan Burrough and John Helyar, it includes a new afterword by the authors that brings this remarkable story of greed and double-dealings up to date 20 years after the famed deal. The Los Angeles Times calls Barbarians at the Gate, “Superlative”. The Chicago Tribune raves, “It’s hard to imagine a better story...and it’s hard to imagine a better account.” And in an era of spectacular business crashes and federal bailouts, it still stands as a valuable cautionary tale that must be heeded.

©1989, 2009 Bryan Burrough, John Helyar (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers 20th Century Modern Business Wall Street Banking Business History
All stars
Most relevant
Such an engaging and exciting story, well worth the time invested. The performance of the reader is superb and flexes to each character. The pace of the performance builds throughout the book culminating in an exciting conclusion. Each party is introduced methodically and adds to the swirling complexity of the negotiations. Although the exact financial circumstances are different, there are some interesting lessons on negotiations and tactics that are still relevant to today.

Enthralling and still relevant

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A long listen, but will worth it, classic 80's tale that set the template for decades of finance shenanigans

Remains a cracking good story

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Five stars five stars five stars five stars five stars five stars five stars five stars five stars. Genuinely a five star book.

Review

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The book has an engaging start meant to keep you reading through the slow histories and biographies of the characters and delivers the most thrilling climax chapters with twists and turns akin to a crime thriller!

Reads like a thriller

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30 years on the story still runs true. Many great lessons for the business world

Wow what a story

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Gives you a massive insight into the worst side of capitalism and how Wall Street is all about lining their pockets at the expense of shareholders and the average working Joe.

Excellent read

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