Stumped for holiday gift ideas? Even in this high-tech media age, I say there's nothing more satisfying than a good read. While I continue to enjoy the classics (I re-read Homer's Odyssey in a new translation recently, and it was fabulous) as well as good novels, every once in a while a few books with a Wall Street twist come along that make their way onto my night table. Allow me to share a few of my favorites.
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Wall Street Noir To diversify your reading, mix the Pavlo non-fiction with this compendium of smart, dark short stories written by some of the crime genre's leading lights. In addition, there's even a story by the discredited former Merrill Lynch technology analyst Henry Blodget. Short stories make great bedtime reading. |
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King Of The Club Charlie Gasparino is a dogged reporter who got deep inside the New York Stock Exchange and the controversy over Dick Grasso's multi-million dollar retirement package, and he tells a fast-moving tale about greed, strong personalities and the politics of power in this new book. I'm a friend and fan of Charlie's, so take my comments with a grain of salt. That being said, you'll find this tale fascinating. |
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Stolen Without A Gun Who knew that selling, re-selling and cheating in the long-distance telecom business could be so simple, and so lucrative? To get a unique insight into how MCI blew up and eventually led to WorldCom's demise, check out this tell-azll by Walter Pavlo, the jailbird who stole $6 million from MCI before he was finally disconnected. Fast-paced writing by Forbes editor Neil Weinberg keeps the story on the fast track--like a train heading into a concrete wall. Happy holidays! |
