Liar's Poker

Michael Lewis

Book Reviews

Chamath Palihapitiya: "Probably my favorite book"

Tim Ferriss: "It's a very exciting book."

Book Synopsis

"Liar's Poker" is a captivating non-fiction book written by Michael Lewis that takes readers on a thrilling journey inside the world of Wall Street in the 1980s. Lewis, a former bond salesman at Salomon Brothers, provides a fascinating insider's account of the high-stakes world of investment banking.

Through vivid storytelling, Lewis exposes the outrageous and often absurd culture that dominated Wall Street during this era. He reveals the intense competition, greed, and excess that permeated the trading floors, where young, aggressive traders engaged in a merciless pursuit of money and status.

Lewis explores the rise of the mortgage bond market and the game of "liar's poker," a gambling-style game where traders would bet on the prices of bonds. He delves into the fascinating techniques and strategies used by traders, exposing the manipulation and deceit that often accompanied their dealings.

In "Liar's Poker," Lewis pulls back the curtain on the inner workings of one of the most powerful industries in the world, shedding light on the reckless behavior and unchecked power of those involved. The book serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the dangerous consequences of unbridled ambition and the devastating impact it can have on both individuals and the economy as a whole.

With its sharp wit and gripping narrative, "Liar's Poker" offers readers an eye-opening and thought-provoking exploration of the financial industry's dark side. Lewis's keen observations and candid storytelling make this book an indispensable read for anyone interested in understanding the forces that shaped Wall Street and continue to influence global finance today.

Explore More Books

See All
The Gifts of Imperfection
The Four
The Elements of Style
The Celestine Prophecy
Foundation's Edge
When Breath Becomes Air
The Gift of Good Land
Chasing the Light
Seeing Is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees
Sperm Wars
Probability Theory
Becoming Steve Jobs
Red Notice
Antifragile
The Truth about Carbs
The New Penguin Atlas of Ancient History
Bossypants
Should We Eat Meat?
All I Want to Know is Where I'm Going To Die So I'll Never Go There
Crossing the Chasm
Information
Foundations
Certain To Win
Think on These Things
How to Teach Your Baby to Read
The Activist's Media Handbook
The Robber Barons
Kill Decision
When The Wolves Bite
To Dare and to Conquer
Command
The Art of Stillness
Idea Makers
In The Plex
Thank You For Smoking
Strength In Stillness
The Oxford History of Britain
Citizen Coke
How The Scots Invented The Modern World
The Internet of Money Volume 1
Brotopia
The MAGA Doctrine
The Untethered Soul
Poor Charlie's Almanack
Killers of the Flower Moon
Wild And Crazy Guys
The Hydrogen Sonata
Market Wizards
Super Pumped
Filters Against Folly
All Quiet on the Western Front
Founders at Work
The Doors of Perception
1984
Queen of Fashion
Simple & Direct
Ignition!
Being Nixon
The Craft
Bend The Curve
Evicted
24/6
Triumphs of Experience
The Power of Broke
The Hobbit
My Years with General Motors
Intellectuals
Math, Better Explained
Competing Against Luck
How To Decide
Paper Lion
High Output Management
In Cold Blood
Co-Intelligence
Foundation and Earth
Tribal Leadership
Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople
A Practical Guide for Policy Analysis
Tender Is The Night
Happiness
A Few Lessons from Sherlock Holmes
The Story of Philosophy
Devil's Bargain
A Good Man
The Lord of the Rings
Clocks and Culture
Don't Shoot the Dog!
Lagom
The Curse of the Mogul
Cognitive Surplus
Why We Get Fat
Dark Towers
Glass
The Prize
Starlink
Happy Accidents
Digital Gold
The Aeneid
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll
The Song Machine