Liars Poker

Liars Poker by Michael Lewis

🚀 The Book in 3 Sentences

  1. Michael Lewis shares his journey and observations during his years at Salomon Brothers and recalls the people, events, money, attitudes, stories, and absurdity that existed there.

  2. You get a first-hand insight into the spectacular rise of the bond market and the subsequent collapse.

  3. Full of interesting stories, you subtly absorb the culture and atmosphere of the trading floor of a Wall Street bank at the pinnacle of the market.

🎨 Impressions

Lewis has a way with words where he strings together such a compelling, insightful, page-turning narrative. Following a story you didn't know you needed to hear, this is packed full of interesting and engaging stories about the banking world in the 1980's and a real pre cursor to the events in 07-08.

I was surprised at just how enjoyable this was to read and equally as shocked in places.

How I Discovered It

I have read several other Michael Lewis books all of which I have enjoyed, Liar's Poker is his original, break-out book that shares more about his personal story and involvement in the financial world.

Who Should Read It?

If are interested in the world of business and finance, this book shares a pivotal and defining historical moment in the world. If you are a relatively advanced reader this book shares a unique and one-off-a-kind story that will broaden your own perspective.

✍️ My Top 3 Quotes

If there was a single lesson I took away from Salomon Brothers, it is that rarely do all parties win. The nature of the game is zero sum. A dollar out of my customer’s pocket was a dollar in ours, and vice versa.

The best decisions he has made in his life, he said, were completely unexpected, the ones that cut against convention. Then he went even further. He said that every decision he has forced himself to make because it was unexpected has been a good one.

A man who can tell a good story can make a good living as a broker.

📒 Summary + Notes

Summary of each chapter is here

A great summary of the overall themes here

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