The Money Culture

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The author of the best-selling Liar's Poker offers a witty, trenchant analysis of the world of high finance in the 1980s and the cult of wealth that produced such moguls as Michael Milken and Donald Trump. Reprint.

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1991

About the author

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Michael Monroe Lewis is an American author and financial journalist. He has also been a contributing editor to Vanity Fair since 2009, writing mostly on business, finance, and economics. He is known for his nonfiction work, particularly his coverage of financial crises and behavioral finance.
Lewis was born in New Orleans and attended Princeton University, from which he graduated with a degree in art history. After attending the London School of Economics, he began a career on Wall Street during the 1980s as a bond salesman at Salomon Brothers. The experience prompted him to write his first book, Liar's Poker (1989). Fourteen years later, Lewis wrote Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game (2003), in which he investigated the success of Billy Beane and the Oakland Athletics. His 2006 book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game was his first to be adapted into a film, The Blind Side (2009). In 2010, he released The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine. The film adaptation of Moneyball was released in 2011, followed by The Big Short in 2015.
Lewis's books have won two Los Angeles Times Book Prizes and several have reached number one on the New York Times Bestsellers Lists, including his most recent book, Going Infinite (2023).


Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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100 reviews All reviews
July 14,2025
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Michael Lewis is an extremely extraordinary individual.

He has a comprehensive understanding of finance and remarkable writing abilities.

His works are always vivid and humorous, while also being highly informative.

If you are seeking the latest news, this book is clearly not it.

However, if you are in search of exciting tales of adventures within the financial realm, then this is precisely the book for you.

In this book, I relished the (still valuable) lessons in finance and history, as well as the author's more personal experiences, which were brilliantly narrated in the audiobook.

It is a wonderful combination.

A prime example is cruising along the Amazon river together with Louis Rukeyeser.

This unique experience adds an extra layer of charm and interest to the book.

Overall, it offers a captivating and engaging read for those interested in finance and personal stories.
July 14,2025
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**The Money Culture**

by Michael Lewis

**Thumbs Up**

This book offers a truly fascinating and humorous perspective on how the markets have functioned and, at times, not functioned. It's important to note that things may have changed since the chapters were written, and unfortunately, the book doesn't cover those potential changes. However, what it does offer is a comprehensive look not just at Wall Street but also at markets in Europe, Japan, and Australia.

One of the most interesting aspects is the exploration of the surprising and curious differences in the markets that are due to the culture of each country, especially in the case of Japan. It's a complex web of interactions and influences that Lewis manages to untangle in an engaging way.

When it comes to what I learned, it's a bit difficult to put into words. It's similar to asking what one learned in a foreign language class that is run by immersion rather than traditional dialogue lessons. With each Michael Lewis book I read, I simply feel that I'm becoming more and more familiar with the unique milieu of the financial world. And the best part is that he makes it both fun to read and enjoyable to learn.

Overall, "The Money Culture" is a great read for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the markets and the forces that shape them.
July 14,2025
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The book is a compilation of publications for various magazines that the author produced around 1989/1990.

These publications cover different topics related to the economy and bond/stocks trading.

It serves to complete the overall picture that is presented by the rest of his books.

By bringing together these diverse writings, the book offers a comprehensive view of the author's insights and expertise in the field.

Readers can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the economic and financial landscape during that particular time period.

The book not only provides valuable information but also showcases the author's ability to analyze and present complex topics in an accessible manner.

Whether you are a finance professional or simply interested in learning more about the economy and trading, this book is a must-read.

It offers a unique perspective and is sure to enhance your knowledge and understanding of these important subjects.

July 14,2025
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These essays from the early stage of Lewis's writing career, in my opinion, are much closer to his more recent work than his debut novel that brought him fame.

And I guess I find that a bit surprising. Understandably, he is firmly in the same financial realm as "Liar's Poker", but the stylistic nuances that I love in his later works are present and correct here. The rougher aspects of his storytelling that were evident in his first novel don't seem as prominent in these essays.

The first dozen or so essays are the most powerful. Although, by the end, I had definitely had enough of hearing about markets, debt, buyouts, and crashes, I am still eager to return to Lewis's writing as soon as possible.

His unique writing style and ability to present complex financial topics in an engaging way make his work truly captivating. I look forward to seeing what else he has in store for us in the future.
July 14,2025
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This book presents an uneven compilation of essays.

Primarily, it delves into the author's experiences working at Soloman Brothers as an investment banker and explores the culture of money within the elite Wall Street power class.

Many of these essays give the impression of being outdated. Some are rather dull, while others are highly amusing.

The most captivating one was about the Tokyo financial world, which is intricately connected to everything and how a mere earthquake could potentially bring disaster to the global financials.

The essay regarding Trump was indeed hilarious. However, overall, the book held only a moderate level of interest for me.

Primarily, it seemed like a rehash of how greedy the financial world was during the 1980s.

It provided some insights, but it didn't offer anything truly groundbreaking or revolutionary.

Nonetheless, it can still serve as a reminder of the excesses and flaws that existed within the financial sector during that particular era.

Perhaps for those with a keen interest in the history of Wall Street and the financial industry, this book might hold more appeal.

But for the average reader, it may not be a must-read.

July 14,2025
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The story had a very abrupt ending. It just stopped suddenly, leaving the reader with a sense of surprise and perhaps a bit of confusion. However, despite the unexpected conclusion, the overall narrative was quite interesting.

The characters were well-developed, and their actions and interactions kept the reader engaged throughout. The plot had several twists and turns that added to the excitement.

It was a story that made you think and wonder about what might have happened next. Even though the ending was abrupt, it also left room for the reader's imagination to run wild.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read that managed to capture the reader's attention and leave a lasting impression, despite its somewhat unconventional ending.
July 14,2025
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A worthy book, though perhaps a bit dated.

Nevertheless, when it comes to providing an in-depth look into the financial history of the late 80s, it clearly reveals the potential disaster that our absence of effective regulation is leading us towards.

The book not only serves as a historical account but also poses a crucial question - why haven't those tax returns been made public yet?

This query lingers in the minds of readers, making them wonder about the possible implications and the reasons behind the secrecy.

It makes one reflect on the importance of transparency in financial matters and how it can impact the overall stability and well-being of the economy.

Despite its age, the book continues to be relevant and thought-provoking, challenging us to learn from the past and take steps to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
July 14,2025
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I have a great affection for most of Micheal Lewis's books. However, this particular one turned out to be an utter disappointment.

It seems as if Lewis penned this book merely for the sake of having another book under his name.

The stories within it are very tenuously connected by the common theme of being related to money. There are various elements such as Lewis's cruise trip to Brazil, the earthquake in Japan, a Wall Street swindler, and American Express, just to name a few. They are like the random recollections of Kanye West when he is in a manic state of mind.

It lacks the coherence and depth that one would expect from a Micheal Lewis work. The disjointed nature of the stories makes it difficult for the reader to engage fully and leaves a sense of dissatisfaction.

Overall, this book fails to live up to the high standards set by Lewis's previous works.
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