The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine

by Michael Lewis
The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Investigative Journalism
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  • ID: 4389
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780241956007
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2011-01-27
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Big Short, by Michael Lewis, is a riveting narrative that delves into the 2008 financial crisis through the eyes of misfits, renegades, and visionaries who saw the impending collapse of the credit bubble. From the chaotic trading floors to the high-stakes casinos of Las Vegas, Lewis masterfully weaves a story of greed, hubris, and foresight, exposing the flaws in the financial system that led to one of the most catastrophic economic events in history. The book is not just a dry analysis of numbers and policies; it is a human story, filled with characters who dared to challenge the status quo. With his signature wit and journalistic precision, Lewis turns complex financial concepts into a thrilling tale that is both informative and entertaining. The Big Short has been widely praised for its clarity, insight, and ability to make the intricacies of high finance accessible to all readers.

Reviews
Adventures in CRE · Adventures in CRE · 2017-06-22
informative 4.50

The book provides an easy-to-read narrative that adds depth to the characters and explains complex financial concepts succinctly. The reviewer found the book to be both informative and enjoyable.

The reviewer from Adventures in CRE found The Big Short to be a highly engaging read. They appreciated how the book simplified complex financial concepts, making them accessible to a broader audience. The narrative is praised for its ability to bring the characters to life, adding a human element to the financial crisis. The reviewer also noted that the book is both informative and entertaining, making it a great read for anyone interested in finance or the events leading up to the 2008 financial crisis.

Quick quotes

    The book did not disappoint and provided an easy-to-read narrative which added depth to the characters.

    The book succinctly explained some of the tougher concepts.

    The Big Short is a highly engaging read that simplifies complex financial concepts.

Reading Matters Blog · Reading Matters · 2011-05-29
thought-provoking 4.25

The book is praised for its ability to make the reader angry at the bankers and the financial system. The reviewer found the book to be both informative and thought-provoking.

The reviewer from Reading Matters Blog found The Big Short to be a powerful and thought-provoking read. They appreciated how the book shed light on the greed and incompetence of the bankers, making the reader angry at the financial system. The reviewer also noted that the book is highly informative, providing a detailed account of the events leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. However, they also found the book to be quite dense at times, requiring some patience to fully grasp the complexities of the financial world.

Quick quotes

    Great book about how the bankers walked away with all our money.

    It made me angry too, but I found bits of it quite funny as well.

    The Big Short is a powerful and thought-provoking read that sheds light on the greed and incompetence of the bankers.

The Guardian · Stephen Moss · 2010-03-27
engaging 4.00

The slow collapse of the market through 2007 and 2008 is gripping, and the characters are portrayed with a mix of admiration and criticism. The book is both informative and entertaining, making complex financial concepts accessible.

The Guardian's reviewer found the narrative of the market's collapse to be both terrifying and engaging. They appreciated how Lewis brought the characters to life, making the complex world of finance understandable and even amusing at times. The book is praised for its ability to make the reader feel the tension and absurdity of the financial crisis. However, the reviewer also noted that the book can be quite dense, requiring some patience to fully grasp the intricacies of the financial world.

Quick quotes

    The slow collapse of the market through 2007 and 2008 makes terrific reading.

    Lewis's investment bankers, in attempting to befuddle their clients, come across as both brilliant and absurd.

    The book is both terrifying and darkly funny, a fitting sequel to his #1 bestseller Liar's Poker.

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