A collection of dated short stories centered around the financial industry has been assembled. These stories vary in tone and emotion. Some of them are filled with humor, bringing a smile to the reader's face. They might depict comical situations or characters within the financial world. On the other hand, there are also stories that carry a sense of sadness. Perhaps they讲述了失败的投资, lost opportunities, or the hardships faced by those in the industry. However, it must be said that the majority of these stories are rather forgettable. They lack the depth and impact to truly linger in the reader's mind. Despite this, the collection as a whole provides a snapshot of the financial industry through the lens of these short stories, offering a diverse range of perspectives and experiences.

This is an interesting collection of anecdotes, but it is somewhat dated as it largely consists of previously published stories about Wall Street, the City in London, and Tokyo finance in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Despite its age, the book still offers some valuable insights into the financial world of that era. The anecdotes are engaging and often humorous, thanks to Lewis's witty writing style.

However, it should be noted that the financial landscape has changed significantly since then, and some of the practices and attitudes described in the book may no longer be relevant.

Overall, this collection is a fun read for those interested in the history of finance, but it may not provide the most up-to-date information for those looking to understand the current state of the financial industry.

Employing bold candour and brazen wit, Michael Lewis regales his reader about the new culture spawning the financial spectrum across the globe - a culture of uninhibited and vulgar greed.

This culture manifests itself in myriad ways. For instance, there are Leveraged Buy Outs (LBO), where companies are acquired with a significant amount of borrowed money. Then there are collaterised mortgages, which have led to many financial disasters. Hostile takeovers are also a part of this culture, where one company tries to acquire another against the wishes of its management. The unashamed purveyors of this culture remorselessly plough along, leaving in their trail a ruinous wake.

Michael Lewis provides a no holds barred vantage view about the motives underlying the blitzkrieg deeds of the Kravises, Milkens, Wassersteins and Ross Johnsons of today's Corporate World. He also gleans out a few incredulous facts regarding the influence of this insidious culture on countries such as Japan (in particular) and those nestled within the confines of Europe.

This book is a must read for all interested in the affairs of the peddles of high finance and unscrupulous deals. It offers a fascinating insight into the world of finance and the people who operate within it.

Michael Lewis is truly a remarkable writer. No one can write more consistently or in a more engaging manner than him. This is evident even from this collection of his early pieces. These pieces document various important events such as the Savings and Loans crisis, the transatlantic trip of LBOs to the UK and France, and an array of coverage on the Japanese crisis and its insular economy.

It is truly crazy how the reprinted articles from the late 80s can so accurately reflect the feelings about certain public individuals, as seen in Lewis' review from the New York Times reviewing the follow-up of The Art of the Deal. Moreover, it is astonishing how these articles can mirror the Wall Street cycles 30 years later.

Not to mention that if we replace the word Japan with China in the final section, aside from the earthquake, the similarity in their entanglement in US debts and bond markets is quite astounding. It makes one wonder about the cyclical nature of economic events and how Lewis' insights from decades ago still hold relevance today.

In this compilation of magazine essays and newspaper op-eds from the late 1980s and early 1990s, Michael Lewis showcases the abilities that place him among the finest modern-day cultural anthropologists.

I would surmise that one of the significant influences on Lewis' thinking is that other great and long-time Wall Street observer, James Grant.

Here is one particularly excellent essay reprinted in "The Money Culture".

The essay titled "Milken's Morals and Ours" can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/21/opinion/milken-s-morals-and-ours.html. It delves into the complex issues surrounding the morality and ethics in the financial world during that era. Lewis' incisive analysis and keen observations in this essay, along with the others in the collection, offer valuable insights into the cultural and social aspects of the financial industry. His work not only informs but also challenges the readers to think critically about the values and behaviors that prevail in the money culture.

Michael Lewis is often compared to the Coen brothers in the world of film. Just as the Coen brothers are known for their unique style, Lewis has a distinct way of presenting his ideas. "The Money Culture" is similar to "No Country for Old Men" in that both works seem to focus more on style than substance.

The point of "No Country for Old Men" was to show that America is a harsh place filled with evil, and all one can do is their best when faced with uncontrollable external forces. Similarly, the point of "The Money Culture" is that people in various countries strive to acquire money, and the cultures differ in the process.

Lewis's gift lies in his ability to make these simple points in interesting ways. He uses unique stories and humorous anecdotes to engage the reader. This book is not a coherent, unified story like "Liar's Poker." Instead, it is a series of discreet articles published between 1988-91 for various news organizations.

Lewis mostly speaks about the leveraged buyouts of the 1980s. He believes that, at best, they were a necessary evil, and at worst, an unjustified transfer of wealth. In the 1960s and 70s, corporations diversified their holdings, but in practice, this offered no competitive advantages. The 1980s saw an unwinding of these mistakes in the form of leveraged buyouts.
In the second part, Lewis looks at how England and France cut back on older trading methods to remain competitive. The pursuit of money has replaced traditional notions of aristocracy in Europe. However, the transition is not always smooth, as seen in Australia and Texas.
Finally, in the third part, Lewis examines Japan, where people spend money on art to protect wealth from taxes. He presents a hypothetical about a devastating earthquake in Tokyo and its impact on the global economy.
Overall, Lewis is a gifted and entertaining writer. His books are page-turners that offer a fun look into the world of Wall Street investment bankers, retired people seeking financial wisdom, and different cultures. The memorable quotes in the book add to its charm.

A collection of articles and essays sourced from various publications is presented here.

The tone employed is one that is familiar to the readers of Lewis. However, it does not adhere to the usual well-structured and cogent form that they might be accustomed to.

Instead, these are thought-provoking and opinionated pieces, filled with peculiar characters and cultural idiosyncrasies.

They offer an interesting perspective and can be read relatively quickly, making them a great choice for those looking for a quick yet engaging read.

Whether you are a fan of Lewis or simply interested in exploring different viewpoints and cultural phenomena, this collection is sure to capture your attention and provide you with some food for thought.

A great writer with an interesting topic. This compilation consists of the articles he penned over a period of approximately 4 years. The time frame was the late 1980s, which means it is a bit outdated. However, despite its age, the content still holds value. It offers a unique perspective on the events and ideas of that era. The writer's style and voice are distinct, making the reading experience engaging. Each article presents a different aspect of the topic, providing a comprehensive view. Although some of the information may no longer be current, the underlying themes and concepts remain relevant. This compilation serves as a historical record and a source of inspiration for future generations of writers and thinkers.

This book is rather enjoyable, yet it doesn't offer a great deal more. It doesn't quite reach the level of "Liar's Poker".

It is essentially a compilation of stories that are interesting, but perhaps in a somewhat trivial manner. The tales within the book may amuse the reader for a while, but they lack the depth and substance that one might expect from a truly outstanding work.

While it can provide some light entertainment, it may not leave a lasting impression. Overall, it's a decent read for those looking for something轻松有趣, but it doesn't have the same impact as some of the more highly regarded books in the genre.

This book is a compilation of articles and short sketches that Lewis penned in the late 1980s. It delves into the globalization of the investment banking industry and the individuals who populate that realm.

The book is divided into three sections. The first section contains stories set in the US, the so-called new world. The second section features tales from Europe, specifically France and Britain. The final section presents stories from Japan. Throughout these vignettes, Lewis assumes the role of an outsider traveler, offering his (often humorous yet sometimes scathing) perspectives on finance in its diverse manifestations. Notably, in his stories set in Europe and Japan, Lewis zeroes in on the "Americanization" of finance in these regions while also not overlooking the local idiosyncrasies, such as the flourishing trade of art flipping in Japan.

Although not directly applicable to the financial landscape we inhabit today, certain themes do hold true. These include the avarice of Wall Street bankers, the impacts of American expansionism into the finances of the "Old World," and the overarching perception of money as a symbol of status. In particular, a vignette about Trump highlights characteristics of the individual that remain relevant today.

This book is a worthwhile read for those intrigued by the financial culture of the 1980s and the origins of American dominance in finance.

I truly love Michael Lewis. I have previously confessed here my enjoyment of business tell-all books. Michael Lewis wrote one such book in the genre, "Liar’s Poker". This collection of pieces written right before and after "Liar’s Poker" is just okay, not his finest work.

I have a relatively high tolerance for bad writing when I'm interested in the subject matter. However, even I had a difficult time getting through some of the early pieces in this collection that dealt with the excesses of Wall Street or the inherent stupidity of American Express. Maybe Lewis had to get all this rather poor and sophomoric writing out of his system before he could pen more decent and sophomoric books. If "Money Culture" is what was necessary to lead to "Moneyball", then so be it.

Don't waste your time on this one. Instead, read "Liar’s Poker" and his book on baseball, "Moneyball". They might not revolutionize your life or profoundly inform how you interact with the world, but they are definitely more worthy of your time and attention.

I wasn't overly excited about this book.

It seemed to be all over the place, lacking a clear structure and coherence.

The narrative didn't flow smoothly, and there was no discernible rhythm to it.

It was as if the author had jotted down random thoughts and ideas without taking the time to organize them in a meaningful way.

The lack of a unified theme or central message made it difficult for me to engage with the story on a deeper level.

While there were some interesting moments here and there, they were overshadowed by the overall chaos and disjointedness of the book.

Overall, I would not recommend this book to others, as it failed to meet my expectations and left me feeling disappointed.