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Bibliophile | 2/7/2014
" Edmund Andrews, the economics reporter for the New York Times offers a salutary lesson in how and why ordinary people all over America got so caught up in the real-estate bubble that they never stopped to think about how they were literally mortgaging their future. Andrews details how easy it was for him to get an enormous loan - far larger than he could ever hope to pay back - for a house that he didn't really need but wanted because he was caught up in a fever of love for his new wife, Patti. Busted is a fascinating read, but apparently, Andrews failed to disclose that Patti filed for the second of her two bankruptcies during the time-period he chronicles in Busted and frankly, even from her description in the book, she sounds less "ordinary person" and more entitled spendthrift (she can't seem to give up her J. Crew clothes or her expensive cheeses) and Andrews sounds like a besotted schmoe who ignored his own misgivings until it was too late. "
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Moira Webster-Larranaga | 1/18/2014
" The personal story was interesting. The technical side, not so much. And, not so different from what I knew from watching the news. "
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David Edeli | 1/16/2014
" Just finished this. Andrews does a great job of explaining the housing bubble that caused the financial crisis. The book is also a mea culpa from an admitted "reflexive believer in the free market," which is refreshing. "
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Nerak | 1/1/2014
" Makes the mortgage meltdown interesting - factual breakdown interspersed with personal story of money gone wrong. "
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Acacia | 12/16/2013
" Very interesting. I was/am of the opinion that the consumer is at fault. Like, don't sue McDonald's because your coffee was hot. But, this book is truly making me waver on that. Greedy, deceiving lenders...hmmmm. "
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Bridget | 12/8/2013
" This is a good surface overview of the mortgage meltdown. The author's personal story is woven in with the big picture and that helped to keep my interest. There is a good teaser for the book here. "
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Rebecca | 11/30/2013
" A quick and interesting read that provides a solid overview of subprime lending and the housing bubble. But the author's personal story was tiresome, and I ended up just thinking he was a jerk. "
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Susan | 11/20/2013
" I found this to be a little self-serving. The writer discusses how the housing mortgage market crashed and how he went down with it. And he knew better than to do it. "
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Mary | 11/14/2013
" An inside look by a subprime holder and economic writer of the lending institutions during the "Great Panic". Both personal and professional insights. "
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Marty | 6/5/2013
" I skimmed this and mostly read the author's own story of getting in over his head on a mortgage. It made me feel better about my own financial situation, that's for sure. "
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beth anne | 2/19/2012
" too much finacial gobbley gook. i hope this man doesnt get to keep his home because of this book (i borrowed from the library). he gets what he desered. "
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Jonny99 | 10/27/2011
" Fasinating largely because Andrews, a New York Times economics writer, acknowledges that few individuals were in a better position to avoid the financial mistakes which ultimately will likely take his house. "
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Paul Pisani | 1/20/2011
" Good Book - Mix of personal story and actual economic events. "
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David | 9/12/2010
" Just finished this. Andrews does a great job of explaining the housing bubble that caused the financial crisis. The book is also a mea culpa from an admitted "reflexive believer in the free market," which is refreshing.
"
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Paul | 7/30/2010
" Good Book - Mix of personal story and actual economic events.
"
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Jen | 7/5/2010
" This was a very interesting view on the whole financial crisis. The author not only was covering this subject for a a major newspaper...but found himself facing the very same financial issues he was researching and writing about.
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Kelly | 5/12/2010
" Interesting. This guy is a total loon for what he did. He makes a good case of this being a dual problem -- both on the banks and on the individuals. In different ways, different blame can be placed.
That said, his bias was annoying.
"
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Jonny99 | 12/16/2009
" Fasinating largely because Andrews, a New York Times economics writer, acknowledges that few individuals were in a better position to avoid the financial mistakes which ultimately will likely take his house.
"
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Moira | 10/15/2009
" The personal story was interesting. The technical side, not so much. And, not so different from what I knew from watching the news.
"
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Mary | 10/4/2009
" An inside look by a subprime holder and economic writer of the lending institutions during the "Great Panic". Both personal and professional insights.
"
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Acacia | 9/28/2009
" Very interesting. I was/am of the opinion that the consumer is at fault. Like, don't sue McDonald's because your coffee was hot. But, this book is truly making me waver on that. Greedy, deceiving lenders...hmmmm.
"
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Nerak | 9/7/2009
" Makes the mortgage meltdown interesting - factual breakdown interspersed with personal story of money gone wrong.
"
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Janfiola | 8/31/2009
" Interesting book. I wonder if his new marrage lasts through all his overspending. I finished the book and still wonder if they stayed together. I have a much better understanding of the mortgage collapse.
Quick read.
"
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Rebecca | 8/27/2009
" A quick and interesting read that provides a solid overview of subprime lending and the housing bubble. But the author's personal story was tiresome, and I ended up just thinking he was a jerk.
"
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