A fascinating book about the "don't ask, don't tell" between the US and British governments about the money owing from WW1 where no payment has been mA fascinating book about the "don't ask, don't tell" between the US and British governments about the money owing from WW1 where no payment has been made since 1934 and no restructuring settlement agreed. One of those elements of history that few will know about....more
I loved the original BBC podcast on this story, and the book doesn't disappoint. It provides a level of time of time-distanced research that isn't posI loved the original BBC podcast on this story, and the book doesn't disappoint. It provides a level of time of time-distanced research that isn't possible on a podcast, which it complements rather than just retelling with additional detail. This is the story of the biggest financial scam since Madoff, but a story that very few people know. ...more
An eye-opening book that really sheds light on the business of commodities trading over the last 50 years. Having studied the likes of the English EasAn eye-opening book that really sheds light on the business of commodities trading over the last 50 years. Having studied the likes of the English East India Company, it is striking how somethings have not changed over the centuries. ...more
An interesting book, covering off an element of history that has been largely forgotten. I had a reasonable knowledge of the English East India CompanAn interesting book, covering off an element of history that has been largely forgotten. I had a reasonable knowledge of the English East India Company, primarily in relation to its colonial role in India, but the other 5 companies covered were not well known to me previously. It also fills in some gaps left by very good general histories of trade such as "A Splendid Exchange" or "The Boundless Sea"....more
An interesting book on a subject whose importance to the world is often forgotten. It deals with the most recent history of the industry, so the likesAn interesting book on a subject whose importance to the world is often forgotten. It deals with the most recent history of the industry, so the likes of Onassis only appear in passing. Well worth a read. ...more
A fascinating book about a man and a business that is shrouded in mystery. It also provides a telling chronicle on the American economy and political A fascinating book about a man and a business that is shrouded in mystery. It also provides a telling chronicle on the American economy and political situation over the last 50 years....more
An excellent book that deals with the abuses of offshore finance, especially in relation to the looting of money from developing economies. The similaAn excellent book that deals with the abuses of offshore finance, especially in relation to the looting of money from developing economies. The similar "Treasure Island", which I read immediately before, has about a 25% overlap, and I would recommend both as between they give a more comprehensive account on teh subject, but if you are to read only one, then I would recommend "Moneyland"....more
A very good book on the evolution of the venture capital industry and why certain elements contributed to successes and failures. Well worth reading iA very good book on the evolution of the venture capital industry and why certain elements contributed to successes and failures. Well worth reading if you are interested in financial history....more
I read this book and straight after the somewhat similar "Moneyland". There is probably about 25% overlap between the two, and if I had to recommend jI read this book and straight after the somewhat similar "Moneyland". There is probably about 25% overlap between the two, and if I had to recommend just one, I would go for the latter, but if possible do one straight after another as between them they provide a comprehensive coverage of the abuses of the offshore world; the elements that each book miss out are picked up by the other....more
A useful history of a now long forgotten aspect of teh Great Depression, but with too much effort to contextualise in terms of modern sovereign defaulA useful history of a now long forgotten aspect of teh Great Depression, but with too much effort to contextualise in terms of modern sovereign default (especially Argentina in the early 2000s) and too little regarding the defaults and quasi-defaults of other countries in the 1930s. ...more
I read this first in the early 90's, when I was a young banker, much like the author had been a decade previously, and I think it was the first time II read this first in the early 90's, when I was a young banker, much like the author had been a decade previously, and I think it was the first time I questioned the world in which I worked. Having recently read his more recent work, The Big Short, I thought it would be worth re-reading the original. I brought back vividly the heady days of the 80s. Definitely worth a read for that reason alone, but even more so for the ridiculousness of the world I frequently inhabit. ...more
A great book. For anybody wanting to get a better understanding, written in a non-technical way, of the events around the 2008 crash, this is a must. A great book. For anybody wanting to get a better understanding, written in a non-technical way, of the events around the 2008 crash, this is a must. Not as detailed as "Too Big to Fail", it is an ideal companion....more
A thoughtful consideration of the causes of the 2008 financial crash and how they might be reduced in the future. The author is realistic in the limitA thoughtful consideration of the causes of the 2008 financial crash and how they might be reduced in the future. The author is realistic in the limits of the capabilities of policymakers, both politicians and central bankers, and the reality that humans have many failings. When we are convinced we have found the solution to the last problem, something always comes from left field and bites us on the bum....more
Originally published in 1966, this is now a history book some 50 years later, rather than the contemporary analysis it was originally. As someone who Originally published in 1966, this is now a history book some 50 years later, rather than the contemporary analysis it was originally. As someone who has worked in banking for 30 years in banking, this provides some great background to the trends that had become apparent by the time I started working. It also shows that the ethos has changed significantly in that time....more
Being a banking nerd I found this book fascinating. While I was familiar with the BIS, this took my understanding to a whole new level, especially forBeing a banking nerd I found this book fascinating. While I was familiar with the BIS, this took my understanding to a whole new level, especially for the period post-German reparations and pre-capital adequacy rules. While the author rather sensationalises the comparisons between the ECB and the Reichsbank and tries too hard to suggest that the bank looks for a more societal angle to its existence, it is well worth a read....more
This is a first rate history of the City of London (in terms of business life - the the City Corporation itself) covering 1800 to 2000. It certainly fThis is a first rate history of the City of London (in terms of business life - the the City Corporation itself) covering 1800 to 2000. It certainly filled in several gaps for me. Well recommended....more
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