Traders, Guns & Money: Knowns and unknowns in the dazzling world of derivatives by Satyajit Das>
Long before the 2008-09 credit crisis and collapse, one of the strongest warnings about the dangers of derivatives came from Satyajit Das.
I am about halfway thru, and I can tell you it reads more like a crime novel than a financial book.
Reviews
“Traders, Guns & Money is very fresh history, just two years old. Das picks apart the new machinery of the mega-trillion-dollar derivatives market, the one economists say might be next to collapse on our heads. And I’m with him, I really am. The guy has a thing for ridiculous puns and also for pitiable characters. We meet a couple of noodle makers who wreck their company on a deal no one but Das seems to understand. But by the end of his book, you’ll get the deal too, I promise.” – All Things Considered, NPR, October 15, 2008
“WHETHER you are an investor, an observer of financial markets, or even an investment professional, Satyajit Das’s Traders, Guns & Money should prove an entertaining, eye-opening read. –The Business Times, Singapore, September 27, 2008
“With the financial crisis tightening its chokehold on global banks, Das’ forewarnings – outlined in his 2006 book Traders, Guns & Money: Knowns and Unknowns in the Dazzling World of Derivatives – are looking rather timely. Still, some in the industry initially scoffed at his warnings.” – The Toronto Star, September 23, 2008
“The sexier side of finance … at last … a convincing picture of what life is like in today’s modern financial industry. Traders Guns and Money by Satyajit Das not only has a catchy title, it actually manages to entertain, educate and inform.” Corporate Financier, July 2006
“A must read for all CEOs, CFOs, Bankers and anyone who cares about what banks are doing with their money.” – Finance Asia, May 2006
“… true rarity: a derivatives book that keeps your attention all the way through. ” FOW April 2006
“… a scalpel of a book” – Financial Engineering News, July 2006
“A distincly timely book… This makes fascinating reading…. A good crib sheet for how the whole derivatives game works. ” – Financial Times, May 2006
“Das is especially good on structured products and on the recently fashionable world of structured credit… a diverting read” – Financial World, July 2006
“a worthwhile read for anyone with connection to the financial world” – World Finance, July 2006
“The murky and complex world of finances and derivatives is scrupulously and frantically told in this brilliant narrative. … This is a collection and recollection of exquisite financial tales well worth your time.’ Convergence, September 2006
“…a fascinating and compelling insight into the world of derivatives… [TGM has] a page turning quality more reminiscent of a John Grisham novel than a dissertation on derivatives.” – FINASIA, October 2006
“An absorbing accessible primer… scoots along at a blistering pace” – Wilmott Magazine, December 2006
“part thriller, part expose… will be useful for anyone with connection to finance…will tell you some of the truth of what really does go on.” Society of Business Economists Book Review – Jan 07
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NPR Interview:
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Chapter 2 after the jump
Traders, Guns & Money: Knowns and unknowns in the dazzling world of derivatives
Chapter 2:
Traders Guns Money _C02
