When you've just been released from a four-year stint in jail for insider trading and you're in your 50s, it should be time to think about going straight. But when your annual income used to be $650 million, and your three best friends are about to lose everything, things are not that easy.
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From Publishers Weekly
What's an '80s-style financial shark to do in the brave new waters of '90s business? Whatever it is, Erdman's ( The Panic of '89 ) scenario isn't really convincing. After serving his full three years and a day in a country club-like federal prison, 46-year-old former junk bond finagler Willy Saxon has, in his mind, paid his debt to society. He despises "cooperators" like his old pals Boesky and Milken who got shortened jail terms for informing on friends. Barred from the business, Willy uses his $74 million European nest egg to buy covert control of a foundering San Francisco investment house and (with a little blackmail) of a bond rating agency. He also buys a Napa Valley ranch where he sets up a high-tech trading exchange. Business booms, but when he needs collateral, Willy floats and sells a couple of bogus bonds. Just when it seems he'll be going back to jail, Willy correctly predicts the German mark's plunge and makes $500 million. Though Willy is revered by his young computer wonk employees (and bedded by two beauteous, older leaders of San Francisco's pretentious, self-absorbed high society), readers will find him shallow, selfish and no fun. But cardboard characters and barely serviceable prose probably won't put off Erdman's fans. This is the first title for Forge Books, a new Tor imprint. 250,000 first printing; advertising; author tour.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
The plot of Erdman's thriller involves high finance with lots of money to be waged and won. Willy Saxon is an international investment banker who got caught in the junk bond debacle. Willy has had to cough up $100 million in fines and serve time in a federal prison. Within a week of his release, Willy sets into motion an elaborate moneymaking scheme involving a tax-free zero coupon bond. Willy uses all of his cunning, nerves of steel, and foresight to advance his plan of action. Reader Michael McConnohie maintains the right pace and matches the international accents the script demands. Highly recommended for popular collections.
Kristin M. Jacobi, Mitchell Coll. Lib., New London, Ct.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Kristin M. Jacobi, Mitchell Coll. Lib., New London, Ct.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By A Customer
Format:Audio Cassette
This book's release in the pre-internet days prevents it from getting its deserved recognition. Erdman has written well-received books since the 1970s. Snappy dialog containing factual information about the world of high finance both educates and entertains the reader.
By Prohobo
Format:Mass Market Paperback
After reading Den of Thieves this books brings us over from reality to fiction by way of the Grisham / Clancy type drama and action of high finance and intrigue.
Beginning where Den of Thieves leaves off (in the real world) this takes us on a fast passed romp through start-up, cutting deals, leveraging coin, and turning up the heat to create a trading operation in the woods north of San Francisco.
The Willy Saxton character is perfect and handles the presure well.
This of course is not great literature, but it sure is a fast and great read. Books like this are like "Text Movies". They grab and entertain you.
If you like high finance, drama, and intrigue then this is it!
Beginning where Den of Thieves leaves off (in the real world) this takes us on a fast passed romp through start-up, cutting deals, leveraging coin, and turning up the heat to create a trading operation in the woods north of San Francisco.
The Willy Saxton character is perfect and handles the presure well.
This of course is not great literature, but it sure is a fast and great read. Books like this are like "Text Movies". They grab and entertain you.
If you like high finance, drama, and intrigue then this is it!
By S. McHale
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Something Paul Erdman does that many of his comtemporaries neglect to do is he gives his characters personality and life. The dialogue has some spark.
Besides good characters, Erdman is good with the technical details of finance. You get to dabble with offshore corporation, shell companies, underwriting and the like. It does not read like a textbook. It reads more like what you can imagine Micheal Milken doing in a meeting with his minions as he's setting up something - lots of charisma, some financial details, but not so much details that it would put us laypeople to sleep.
His other books are like this, too. Except for the Swiss Account (which reads like a history book) and The Panic of 89 (which reads like a Tom Clancy thriller).
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4.1 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
I liked the book so much I flew to San Fran!
I read this book about the same time "The Game" came out with Michael Douglas. I don't know, something about that magical city and high finance just gets me. Read more
Published on May 6 1999 by DWRink@juno.com
2.0 out of 5 stars
Best Seller????
I've just finished "Zero Coupon" and I'm glad I can now move on to something more imaginative. Read more
Published on May 8 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Jurassic Park of Investment Banking
Paul Erdman is to investment banking what Michael Crighton is to paleo-genetics. A wildly entertaining fiction with deep insight into derivatives, debt financing and foreign... Read more
Published on Nov 20 1997 by baker@apple.com
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best Finance Fiction books ever!
Paul Erdman is the Tom Clancy of high finance.
In his excellent way of building the plot he teaches you
how financial markets work and the different tools available... Read more
In his excellent way of building the plot he teaches you
how financial markets work and the different tools available... Read more
Published on Dec 28 1996
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