Large Image
Share This
Description
What Would You Be Willing to Do for Money and Power?
In this gripping expose, Janet Tavakoli, a Wall Street insider, takes readers on a heart-pounding journey through high finance, where billions are made and lost on the whims of the powerful, and lives hang in the balance.
From the glittering trading floors of New York to the shadowy backrooms of Washington D.C., Tavakoli unravels the complex web of deceit, greed, and corruption that led to the 2008 financial crisis and continues to threaten the global economy today. With razor-sharp insight and unflinching honesty, she reveals:
• The shocking truth behind the subprime mortgage meltdown and the subsequent bailouts that made the rich wealthier and left taxpayers footing the bill
• The dangerous games played by Wall Street titans using exotic financial instruments like credit derivatives and CDOs
• The revolving door between regulators and the banks they're supposed to oversee and how it perpetuates a culture of corruption
• The human cost of financial malfeasance, including suicides, ruined lives, and shattered dreams
As Tavakoli navigates this treacherous landscape, she encounters a cast of larger-than-life characters:
• Jamie Dimon, the charismatic CEO of JPMorgan Chase, whose confidence borders on arrogance
• Hank Paulson, the former Treasury Secretary who orchestrated the largest bailout in history while protecting his Wall Street cronies
• Bill Broeksmit, a brilliant derivatives pioneer whose tragic end raises disturbing questions about the pressures faced by those who know too much
With the pacing of a thriller and the authority of an insider, Tavakoli connects the dots between seemingly unrelated events, exposing a pattern of systemic fraud and abuse that continues today. She asks the tough questions others are afraid to voice: Why have no high-level executives been prosecuted for their role in the crisis? How deep does the corruption go? And what will it take to finally bring about real change?
Decisions: Life and Death on Wall Street is more than just an exposé -- it's a wake-up call to all Americans. Tavakoli passionately argues that without serious reform and accountability, we're doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past, with ever-more devastating consequences.
This book will change the way you think about:
• The actual causes of the 2008 financial crisis and why we're still at risk
• How Wall Street uses complex financial instruments to game the system
• The cozy relationship between banks, regulators, and politicians
• What real financial reform would look like and why it's so desperately needed
Whether you're a finance professional, a policy maker, or a concerned citizen, "Decisions" will open your eyes to the reality behind the headlines and empower you to demand change. Tavakoli's courage in speaking truth to power inspires us all, reminding us that one person can make a difference.
Take advantage of this explosive account from one of Wall Street's most respected and feared voices. Decisions: Life and Death on Wall Street is essential for anyone who wants to understand the forces shaping our economic future and the high stakes in bringing about real change.
Praise for Decisions: Life and Death on Wall Street
"Merrill debauchery only begins this woman's tale. 'Neither Bill nor I believed Calvi committed suicide,' Tavakoli writes. 'Bill joked that he'd never hang himself. It was too gruesome.'"
Bloomberg News
"Tavakoli takes us on a scenic tour of the recent lowlights of Wall Street and Washington -- tragically human. It's a compelling tale."
Jake Bernstein, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting
Tag This Book
This Book Has Been Tagged
Our Recommendation
Notify Me When The Price...
Log In to track this book on eReaderIQ.
Track These Authors
Log In to track Janet M. Tavakoli on eReaderIQ.