Dead Men Walking

Forum Archive 2023 => dMw's Community Centre => Community Archive => Movies, Music & Books => Topic started by: uni on December 29, 2015, 09:29:18 PM

Title: Book club - The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine - Janurary 2016
Post by: uni on December 29, 2015, 09:29:18 PM
The book for January 2016 is The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8032112-the-big-short
Title: Book club - The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine - Janurary 2016
Post by: TeaLeaf on December 29, 2015, 09:52:12 PM
When I read it a few years ago I found it an interesting read, but it sort of got my goat that it's a rehash of a previous book.   It seems a little bit too much like an author's version of a ponzi scheme: Lewis is trying to sell you something as new when in fact it's just a rehash of an old story.  Whilst one can argue that the 'furniture' is new, the story itself is eerily similar to his 1989 book called "Liar's Poker".  

Ever since that 1989 book, every few years he has revisited and re-hashed the story and used newer furniture, take a look at his bibliography and you'll see how many times he has eaten out on this type of story.

Liar's Poker is a better read imho because the era that the story is set in is the 'ground zero' of modern financial crises.  

I'd also rate both Moneyball and Blindside as Lewis books that are more interesting reads!
Title: Book club - The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine - Janurary 2016
Post by: main on December 29, 2015, 10:54:38 PM
There is a movie coming up based on this book, quite a good cast http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596363/ (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596363/)
Title: Book club - The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine - Janurary 2016
Post by: delanvital on December 29, 2015, 10:54:43 PM
I just realised I read this some years ago. So, I am out for this round - sorry for being a douche :) ...more time to finish other books, like the The Windup Girl (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6597651-the-windup-girl?from_search=true&search_version=service) - not on the list, but good so far :)