From Publishers Weekly Based on probing research, this modern morality tale is an expansion of a 1984 New York Times Magazine article on the ruinous behind-the-scenes struggle between two top officers of the 134-year-old private investment banking firm Lehman Brothers Kuhn Loeb. Auletta (The Art of Corporate Success, etc.) recounts in detail the takeover of the traditional and specialized but dissent-ridden and undercapitalized Wall Street company by an outside trader, the recently formed global giant Shearson/American Express. The new conglomerates that emerge from such moves, Auletta maintains, emphasize transactual, service business rather than advisory functions, and short-term gains at the expense of long-range growth plans. Wall Street, he claims, is well on its way to being dominated by a few superpowers that combine all financial services under one roof. Photos not seen by PW. Major ad/promo; Fortune Book Club selection; BOMC alternate; author tour. JanuaryCopyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. Read more From Library Journal Auletta chronicles the activity at Lehman Brothers during the months between July 1983 and April 1984, immediately preceding the firm's takeover by Shearson/American Express. During that brief period, Auletta reveals, Wall Street's oldest investment banking partnership was simultaneously buffetted by the ambition and greed of one faction and by the complacency and misplaced self-assurance of another group of partners. Details shared after the fact with Auletta by many of the participants make clear, often with self-serving insight, that blame for the takeover could well be shared by more than just the two principal players. This tension born of petty human motives is all the more striking when set against the sophisticated investment banking environment. Most business collections will want this title. Joseph Barth, U.S. Military Acad. Lib., West Point, N.Y.Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. Read more
B**R
For everything there is an end
The author masterly paints what happend in the year during which Lehman Brothers Kuhn Loeb ceased to exist.The battle to survive on the market for which the firm needed more capital in times of macroeconomic turbulence went along with internal battle involving strong characters, friend and foes, greedy and full of pride for beign part of Wall Street legendary partnership.
A**N
Fascinating Story and Oh, so properly name.
Once the family was no longer involved with the business they started, the decline started. Oy vey, what a comedown to a worthy and respectable family film. Couldn't put it down. Got me through two long distance flights.
N**Y
Inside story of a gripping battle, as the title suggests.
The story of Lehman Brothers' problems in the mid-1980s. The author does a great job of depicting the characters.I hope he does one or more sequel. One could be about Lehman's problems in 2008 and another could be about two of the characters in this book who went on to found BlackRock and become two of the richest men in the world.The handling of pictures was much better than in most Kindle editions.
M**C
Great book.
Learned a lot about the Lehman Brothers. Cotton trading of Lehman brothers in Montgomery, Alabama to 55 Water street in Manhattan to Shearson/American Express buyout in 1985. Egotistical, greedy millionaires. Read about the final couple years that ended in 2008 with bankruptcy. Now I know how they started.
B**N
Good history of Investment Banking and especially Lehman Brothers
Good history of Investment Banking and especially Lehman Brothers. Tough reading sometimes due to the insider point of views on specific personalities and conflicts, but all in all a good representation of the historical facts and details leading up to the eventual demise of one of the largest institutional collapses of our time.
E**I
One of my all time favorite books!
This book is one of my favorites. It's a classic soap opera. What Lehman Brothers was, their glory days, how egos and greed destroy companies. This is a brilliant study of humanity on Wall Street. Fast read and I strongly recommend to anyone who's thinking of getting into the business!
L**G
Great inside look at Lehman
Enjoyed this view of what happened to a great financial firm. Makes one wonder what other towers of power are running amuck today!
S**Y
Four Stars
good reading
M**H
policies and risk taking not easily visible to the uninitiated
A highly detailed account of one of Wall Street's most famous banking establishments revealing fascinating strategies, policies and risk taking not easily visible to the uninitiated.
S**.
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The Book has been received on time and am enjoying reading it.
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