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The Big Short

Inside the Doomsday Machine

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The Big Short

By: Michael Lewis
Narrated by: Jesse Boggs, Michael Lewis
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About this listen

The long-awaited follow-up to the global best-seller Liar's Poker, The Big Short tells a story of spectacular, epic folly.

It has taken the world's greatest financial meltdown to bring Michael Lewis back to the subject that made him famous. His international best seller Liar's Poker exposed the greed and carnage of the City and Wall Street in the 1980s; he wrote it as a cautionary tale, but people seem to have read it as a how-to guide. Now, he wants to settle accounts. In this visceral tour to the heart of the money-making machine, Michael Lewis traces the origins of the crisis and introduces us to a new cast of compulsively fascinating characters. We meet the people who saw it coming, the people who were asleep at the wheel, and others who were actively driving us all off the cliff. Where did it all start? How could we have all been so deluded for quite so long? Did it really have to be this way? And who the hell can we blame? Michael Lewis has the answers.

No one is better qualified to reveal the dark truths about how our world really works. No one else could make it such an enjoyable ride along the way.

This edition includes a prologue read by the author, plus an exclusive author interview.

©2010 Michael Lewis (P)2010 Penguin Audio Banking Wall Street Global Financial Crisis Stock Great Recession

Critic Reviews

"Lewis is the finest storyteller of our generation." (Malcolm Gladwell)
"The funniest book about Wall Street I have ever read" (Tom Wolfe)
All stars
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A great read for anyone as the global financial crisis of 2008 affected us all. The book has plenty of detail and kept me wanting to listen longer even with knowing the outcome. Looking forward to listening again in a while to maybe understand the bits i missed, I am also most interested in reading more of Michael's books.

A great read

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Fantastic account of what actually went down in 2008 financial crisis. It provides with tell tale signs that we need has to be looked out for even today. I am sure that financial crisis in the future would bet riggers by financial institutions rather than ordinary people not knowing how to manage finances.

Mind blowing!!!

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Fascinating, enthralling, deeply concerning and eye-opening all at once. A story that beggars belief as it's set in an industry that many of us are aware of yet know so little about. The level of detail and explanation of financial products was spot on. Enough to raise and maintain interest yet not be so convoluted that it all became too hard to understand.
Have lessons actually been learnt from this crisis or are we on track to experience yet another version of this story? Only time will tell I guess and if it does, I'll be sure to listen to The Big Short 2

Hard to fathom it's based on a true story

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The movie was brilliant, as it helped everyday people make sense of the complex shenanigans that caused the crisis. The book is even better, an indispensable resource for anyone trying to understand the potpourri of derivatives at the centre of the mess.

Better than the movie

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A really well written them off corruption ignorance and deceit which unfortunately we tried and still resonates thought the world. This book also describes for a corrupt seem was asked from change after the GFC and how you're responsible for away with it.

The details of a corrupt system. An eye opener.

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Take the time to research as you go. I enjoyed the film and spent some time trying to understand the complexity that led to the sub prime bond crisis. This entertaining book ties it all together well.

It's a deep dive, but worth it...

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excellent book. it would be great if Michael Lewis narrated his books. he is great in the podcast Rules

great book, need Michael to narrate his books

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Great story, lots of evidence and shared in an engaging way.

Ultimately disappointing that the perpetrators were largely not held to account.

Enjoyed the ride

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Michael Lewis somehow untangles the complex and perverse alchemy of the investment banking world which caused the 2008 financial crisis in a way that is captivating, intelligible, and enlightening to the reader.

Fantastic

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What did you like most about The Big Short?

I learnt something from this book and it was very topical. It was also a great workout for the synapses trying to follow the complex list of characters, transactions and jargon

Great story and good mental test just to keep up

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