Interesting, yet it leans more towards an anti-money and anti-Wall Street diatribe that Lewis is (in)famous for perpetuating. Admittedly, he is a fantastically compelling writer. There is no doubt about that. Additionally, he managed to adapt his English degree into a two-year stint at Salomon Brothers on Wall Street.
At the end of the day, I concur with a significant portion of his diatribe. However, I believe it could have been enhanced if it were written in a more constructive and encouraging fashion. Instead of simply criticizing, perhaps Lewis could have offered some practical solutions or suggestions for improvement. This would have made his piece not only more engaging but also more valuable and actionable.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that Lewis's writing style and perspective have their own charm and appeal. His ability to vividly describe the inner workings of Wall Street and the characters involved is truly remarkable. Even though his diatribe may be a bit one-sided at times, it still manages to capture the attention and imagination of the reader.
The Money Culture is a compilation of column pieces that Michael Lewis penned in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His characteristic witty style, which readers are familiar with from his other books such as The Big Short, is also evident in The Money Culture. However, it must be noted that the pieces in this collection may not hold the same level of relevance as they might have had almost thirty years ago. Time has passed, and the financial landscape has changed significantly. Nevertheless, Lewis's writing still offers valuable insights into the money culture of that era. His ability to present complex financial concepts in an engaging and accessible manner is truly remarkable. Even though some of the specific examples and situations may seem dated, the underlying themes and ideas remain relevant today.
It is very disappointing. I had thought that we would see more pieces similar to Lewis's 2008-vintage Vanity Fair epistles. Those were witty pieces that were full of good analysis or at least made reference to god analysis. However, this particular work, especially the final chapter on Japan, more often just seems confused and juvenile. Lewis forthrightly declaims in the preface that "I never intended to have these stuffed inside a hardback, but this is how I make my living now." Indeed, it is one of Lewis's worst offerings, and like "Losers", it seems justifiably forgotten. It's a pity that a writer who once showed such promise has produced something so lackluster. One can only hope that in the future, Lewis will return to the form that made his earlier work so engaging and thought-provoking.