House of Cards A Tale of Hubris and Wretched Excess on Wall Street
House of Cards A Tale of Hubris and Wretched Excess on Wall Street
“Engrossing….[Cohan] gives us in these pages a chilling, almost minute-by-minute account of the 10, vertigo-inducing days that one year ago revealed Bear Stearns to be a flimsy house of cards in a perfect storm….He does a deft job of explicating the underlying reasons that put Bear Stearns in peril in the first place….turns complex Wall Street maneuverings into high drama that is gripping — and almost immediately comprehensible — to the lay reader….riveting, edge-of-the-seat reading”
–Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times
“Cohan vividly documents the mix of arrogance, greed, recklessness, and pettiness that took down the 86 year old brokerage house and then the entire economy. It’s a page-turner in the tradition of the 1990 Barbarians at the Gate by Bryan Burrough and John Heylar, offering both a seemingly comprehensive understanding of the business and wide access to insiders….hard to put down, especially thanks to its dishy, often profane, quotes from insiders” –BusinessWeek
“Masterfully reported….[Cohan] has turned into one of our most able financial journalists….he deploys not only his hands-on experience of this exotic corner of the financial industry but also a remarkable gift for plain-spoken explanation…the other great strength of this important book is the breadth and skill of the author’s interviews…Cohan does a brilliant job of sketching in the eccentric, vulgar, greedy, profane and coarse individuals who ignored all these warnings to their own profit and the ruin of so many others. It’s impossible to do justice to his reportorial detail in a brief review…” – Los Angeles Times
“A riveting blow-by-blow account of the days leading up to the government-backed shotgun wedding (to JPM).” — The Economist
“A masterly reconstruction of Bear Stearns implosion–a tumultuous episode in Wall Street history that still reverberates throughout our economy today….meticulous reporting…..first drafts of history don’t get much better than this” –Bloomberg
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Three Books in One
This is actually three books in one and each are engaging reads. The first is a macro examination of the financial crisis, the second a humorous (but ultimately sad) look at the farcical performance of Bear Sterns’ leadership, and third is an incredibly clear picture of the catalyst for current woes: mortgages and mortgage backed securities.
I hesitated in buying the book thinking it may have been rushed to shelves without proper research, context and the time needed to properly attribute cause and effect. However, Cohan has provided a very complete and disturbing picture.
If only we had listened to Meredith Whitney who tilted at windmills. Giving mortgages to those who should not qualify, securitizing bundles of bad paper, government encouraging the entire process, etc. How could this not be a bubble of epic proportions when the average price for a home in America doubled between 1997 and 2005. The phrase, “lowering standards”, has never had more impact and dire consequences.
5 Stars incredible!
this is really an incredible piece of literature…spells out exactly what happened with one of the oldest, largest brokerage firms in the us.
great read for anyone with an interest in finance or the current state of the economy
5 Stars Excellent Read
Up to date with recent developments showing the almost instant evaporation of one of the big Wall Street firms. Recommended.
1 Star The conspiracy and anarchy nuts are making huge chunk of change off this junk!
Everyone and their mother is a backseat economist these days. The fact is… the average American is the reason for this economic collapse. Politicians and bankers care about the American people, but they get no respect in return. Companies like AIG deserve bailouts… they spend that money on good things like bonuses and building new offices with $130,000 carpet!
For ways to enlighten and educate yourself on political issues and economics watch CNN or listen to Rush Limbaugh.
2 Stars A let down!!
I am a wall street buff, and consider reading and keeping up with the market a hobby.This book throws it all at you.Drama,facts that only
a person from Wall Street would understand.The story line is bushed all together, all kind of things are happenibg simultaneously.The story line is not laid out in a way you can keep up what is going on.Extremely disappointed, this could have been a good read.
How I Caused the Credit Crunch
How I Caused the Credit Crunch
This is a vivid and personal account of 21st century banking excess. “How I Caused the Credit Crunch” traces seven years at the forefront of the credit markets - a tale from the heart of the bewildering banking maelstrom whose catastrophic collapse has plunged the world towards the worst recession since the 1930s. Tetsuya Ishikawa’s story reveals how a young Oxford graduate finds himself in command of vast sums of other people’s money; how a novice to the mysteries of hedge funds, subprime mortgages and CDOs can fix complex deals for billions of dollars in the exclusive bars, brothels and trading floors of London, New York, Frankfurt and Tokyo, and reap the benefits in a colossal annual bonus and an international luxury lifestyle. Ishikawa’s book, which deftly explains the arcane financial instruments now grimly associated with the credit crunch, is both a powerful tale of lost innocence and an expose of the disturbing truth of the collective folly, frailty and greed at the heart of the banking crisis.
The Wall Street Journal
Few newspapers enjoy the prestige and authority of The Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal is where America starts its business day. This daily paper publishes the latest in news from the business and finance world. Additionally, it strives to connect current domestic and international news events to business fluctuations and market changes. It also seeks to inform the educated reader about pressing economic changes and evolution. But the Journal covers more than just business. Its weekend edition covers the activities and interests that readers are most passionate about: travel, art, collecting, fashion, wine, sports and entertainment. Notable columnists include James Taranto, Bret Stephens, Homan W. Jenkins, Jr., Daniel Henninger and Mary O’Grady.
The Kindle Edition of The Wall Street Journal contains articles found in the print edition, but will not include tables and stock quotes. For your convenience, issues are automatically delivered wirelessly to your Kindle so you can read them each morning. Please note that The Wall Street Journal publishes only Monday through Saturday.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Why is Kindle WSJ cost same as print version?
I am very happy with WSJ on the Kindle. I can easily pick out the articles I want to read and no longer have stacks of unread newspapers laying around. One question, why is the $9.99/mo the same price as their print edition (at least it was their online “special” price today)? By subscribing via Kindle I’m saving them delivery and print costs.
5 Stars Best Newspaper Subcription
I read the Journal everyday now…that is why I subscribed. Other versions of the journal, print/online, I really didn’t find it easy to get the everyday experience that I get with the Kindle. Forget the comments/worries about pricing. Having the journal available on the Kindle anytime, anywhere, is a great benefit. Its worth the money.
5 Stars Excellent buy
Easy to navigate. great access downloaded automatically for you everyday. Cheaper than the news stand and monthly subscription rate.
3 Stars There Needs to Be a Way to Scan Headlines and Pick the Articles I Want to Read
As a print and online subscriber to WSJ and a user of WSJ Mobile Reader on Blackberry, I looked forward to trying out the paper on the Kindle. However, I find that scanning the paper on the Kindle for what I want to read is much slower than any other method I current use.
The menu allows you to skip to the various sections of the paper, but the only way to see the various headlines in the section is to go article by article through the section. A much more efficient way to read the paper would be to have something similar to the way the WSJ Mobile Reader has it on Blackberry - you pick what section you want to browse and then are presented with a headline list so you can go directly to the article you want to read. This should be easy to do on Kindle. Maybe they’ll add this in the future.
Otherwise, reading it on Kindle is easy and the delivery has worked great. However, given the inability to scan through the paper easily, I’ll probably unsubscribe before my trial time is up.
5 Stars Look! Up on 3G! It’s the news. It’s diurnal. It’s a Kindle Wall Street Journal.
Could not be more pleased with my own Wall Street Journal.
Long a wet sidewalk seeker news
I now sip warm coffee and collect from the muse
Of the world’s information in one compact kernel
In one close formation, so easy to use.
Away with the ink stains
Away with a tremble
I discard the wet print
For my new little Kindle.
Reviewed by Dr. Charles Dusenbury, author of MOLASBA, on Kindle.
Sesame Street Time to Learn Self Stick Room Applique
Sesame Street Time to Learn Self Stick Room Applique
Blue Mountain Wallcoverings manufactures and markets a wide range of wall coverings for all your home decorating needs.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars SPECTACULAR!!!
My little one is a huge ELMO fan. I didn’t want the hassle of wallpaper, etc (as little one’s tastes change quickly). So, I bought these wall stickers. They are the smartest thing I’ve ever done. They were quick and easy to apply. They look incredible!! My son is delighted. I would highly recommend using these 
3 Stars For my grandson’s room
I hope these are as nice as they say they are…. will know soon when the painting is finished
5 Stars excellent product. Completed the room look
Added to our 2 yr old son’s room, done completely in Elmo. Looks great, really completed the look.
5 Stars Awesome!
These stickers look perfect with the Elmo time to learn toddler bed. Our son liked helping to stick them on the wall. And they are holding strong. I would recommend these to friends.
5 Stars Nice big colorful stickers
My son’s room is full of bright colors as these big bright wall stickers have made a difference
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House of Cards A Tale of Hubris and Wretched Excess on Wall StreetHouse of Cards A Tale of Hubris and Wretched Excess on Wall Street “Engrossing….[Cohan]...
