Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
33(33%)
4 stars
35(35%)
3 stars
32(32%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 14,2025
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Not the best of Michael Lewis's books, but it wouldn't be a fair criticism.

After all, it is a collection of essays not originally intended in a book form. Written shortly after The Liar's Poker, you can tell he is still trying to find his voice.

Despite some essays not hitting the mark, there are some places where he really shines and reminds you why you will read anything written by Michael Lewis.

The one that sticks out to me the most is "A Tokyo Earthquake". It is about the consequences of a hypothetical, but likely, earthquake in Tokyo and how it can be just as financially devastating to the West.

"Taken for a Ride on the Customer's Yacht" is another favourite of mine because Michael Lewis's wit is on full display here. The essay is about - believe it or not - an Amazonian cruise with 200 senior citizens and Louis Rukeyser (think an older version of Jim Cramer).

Overall, while this may not be Lewis's magnum opus, it still contains some gems that are worth reading.
July 14,2025
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One of the few Michael Lewis books they had on Scribd.

It's not an amazing piece of work, but it's also not terrible.

The introductory essays on the rise of American Express and the transformation of European financial markets' ideals into American ones are rather interesting.

They offer valuable insights into the evolution of these financial landscapes.

However, the second half of the book is predominantly focused on Japanese markets and its technological limitations.

This part might seem a bit one-sided as it only emphasizes the limitations.

Moreover, it was written in the 80's, so some of the content may no longer be relevant in today's rapidly changing financial world.

Nonetheless, it still provides a historical perspective that can be useful for understanding the development of financial markets over time.
July 14,2025
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I need to start reading the summaries before reading the book. I've read another book by Michael Lewis and thought it was fantastic. However, this one leaves a bit to be desired.


As I was going through it, I found it interesting and frequently funny, which is odd considering that it's a book about our money obsession. But I constantly wondered how he was going to bring all these stories he was telling into a single, succinct point. Well, I was still wondering that after I finished it.


Turns out it's a collection of essays. There is no grand point to be had. I really wish I would have known that beforehand. The individual essays sometimes got a bit too detailed and sometimes too technical. But overall, they read fairly well.


In conclusion, while the book had its interesting and humorous moments, the lack of a unified point and the occasional over-detail and technicality made it a bit less satisfying than I had hoped. However, it still had some redeeming qualities and was not a complete waste of time.

July 14,2025
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This article seems a bit outdated, but it is otherwise a very good read.

I especially enjoyed the part about Japan. It was quite fascinating to learn about the various aspects and details related to Japan.

It would be really interesting to see a remake of this book. If that were to happen, I would expect that the place of Japan might be taken by China.

China is a country with a rich and diverse history, culture, and society, much like Japan. There are so many interesting topics and stories that could be explored and presented in a new version of the book.

It would be exciting to see how the author would approach and cover China, and what new insights and perspectives they would offer.

A remake with China in the spotlight could potentially attract a whole new audience and provide a fresh and engaging read.

Overall, while the current article is good, a remake with a focus on China could take it to the next level and make it even more relevant and interesting.
July 14,2025
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Not for me.

This is a collection of articles that lack real cohesion.

Perhaps 20 years ago, such a collection might have held some appeal.

However, in today's context, it simply doesn't resonate with me.

The lack of a unifying theme or connection between the articles makes it difficult for me to engage with the content on a deeper level.

Each article seems to stand alone, without contributing to a larger narrative or purpose.

In a world where information is abundant and easily accessible, I look for collections that offer more than just a random assortment of pieces.

I渴望的是能够提供新的视角、深入的分析和有价值的见解的作品集合。

This particular collection fails to meet those expectations and thus is not for me.
July 14,2025
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Michael Lewis is truly one of the best in the field of writing.

His writing is characterized by a remarkable sense of conviction, which shines through in every word he pen.

In this particular book, which is a compilation of his pieces published during the late 1980s and early 1990s, he fearlessly attacks the numerous evils that plagued Wall Street during that time period.

He delves deep into the inner workings of the financial world, exposing the greed, corruption, and unethical practices that were all too common.

Through his vivid and engaging storytelling, he brings to life the characters and events that shaped this tumultuous era, making it both a fascinating and eye-opening read.

Whether you are a finance professional or simply someone interested in understanding the forces that drive the economy, this book is a must-read.
July 14,2025
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3.5 stars.

This is a collection of older essays, and as such, it may not be as cohesive as Mr. Lewis' other books. However, his usual enjoyable style is very much in force.

Reading through these essays, I found myself learning many interesting things about the Japanese economy that I never thought I'd want to know. Michael Lewis has this amazing ability to pique my curiosity and make me interested in subjects that I might otherwise have overlooked.

His writing is engaging and accessible, even when dealing with complex economic concepts. I appreciate the way he presents information in a way that is both entertaining and educational.

Overall, while this collection may not be his best work, it still offers plenty of value and is well worth reading for fans of Michael Lewis and those interested in economics and business.
July 14,2025
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Michael Lewis is indeed a remarkable writer.

This book offers an interesting perspective on the origin of his intelligent and witty writing style, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

However, the content itself is somewhat outdated. I have a preference for the author's more extensive works that can engage the reader with a single, captivating narrative, rather than a compilation of essays like this one.

Nevertheless, I did discover several enjoyable segments. In particular, the commentaries on leveraged buyouts and the entire account of what might occur in the event of an earthquake in Tokyo were truly fascinating.

It was also entertaining to encounter a sarcastic take on American bravado in general and the extremely aggressive nature of American finance. Overall, while this book has its flaws, it still contains some engaging and thought-provoking material.
July 14,2025
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Outdated and boring is a common perception that many people have about certain things. It could refer to old-fashioned styles, outdated technologies, or monotonous activities.

For example, some might find an old furniture design to be outdated and boring, lacking the modern aesthetics and functionality that they desire. Similarly, an old computer system with slow processing speed and limited capabilities can be considered outdated and uninteresting.

In the world of entertainment, a movie or a TV show with a predictable plot and unoriginal characters might be labeled as outdated and boring. People are constantly seeking new and exciting experiences that can capture their attention and engage their minds.

However, it's important to note that what is considered outdated and boring can vary from person to person. Some may have a nostalgic attachment to certain old things and find them charming and interesting. Additionally, new trends and technologies may not always be better, and sometimes the tried and true methods can still hold value.

In conclusion, while the term outdated and boring is often used to describe things that are no longer in vogue or exciting, it's a subjective assessment that depends on individual preferences and perspectives.
July 14,2025
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Good for Lewis fans, this book might be a bit on the dull side for other readers. It didn't manage to capture the essence of the 80's as vividly as Liar's Poker did. In fact, when compared to 4 - 5 other Lewis books, it would probably rank behind them. However, it should be noted that those other books set an extremely high bar. The author seems to have focused more on the details that would appeal to die-hard Lewis enthusiasts rather than casting a wider net to engage a broader audience. As a result, while it may have its merits for those who are already fans, it might not have the same level of appeal for those who are new to Lewis's work or looking for a more engaging and comprehensive portrayal of the 80's.

July 14,2025
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This is not truly a book.

It is rather a collection of previously written articles.

The content within is not bad per se.

However, there is a lack of coherent thoughts or a binding element that would tie the whole collection together.

Each article seems to stand on its own, without a clear overarching theme or narrative that would give the collection a sense of unity.

As a result, the reading experience can feel a bit disjointed.

While individual articles may have their merits, the overall lack of cohesion makes it difficult for the reader to fully engage with the collection as a whole.

It could potentially benefit from some editorial work to bring out the common threads and create a more unified and engaging piece.

Overall, it is an interesting collection of articles, but it falls short in terms of presenting a coherent and unified body of work.

July 14,2025
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Lewis is indeed a remarkable author.

He has the unique ability to take complex issues and activities and present them in a simple and highly understandable manner.

I have been an avid reader of his works and have thoroughly enjoyed many of his books.

This particular one is no exception, as it contains numerous interesting discussions.

However, it must be noted that unfortunately, many of these discussions are somewhat outdated.

This is mainly because the book was written in the 80's and early 90's.

Despite this drawback, I would still highly recommend the book as an interesting read.

It offers valuable insights and perspectives that can still be relevant and thought-provoking today.

Even though some of the information may be a bit dated, the overall quality of the writing and the engaging nature of the discussions make it a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the subject matter.

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