Play Audiobook Sample
On the Brink: Inside the Race to Stop the Collapse of the Global Financial System Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.01) - 694 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
When Hank Paulson, the former CEO of Goldman Sachs, was appointed in 2006 to become the nation's next Secretary of the Treasury, he knew that his move from Wall Street to Washington would be daunting and challenging.
But Paulson had no idea that a year later, he would find himself at the very epicenter of the world's most cataclysmic financial crisis since the Great Depression. Major institutions including Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers, AIG, Merrill Lynch, and Citigroup, among others-all steeped in rich, longstanding tradition-literally teetered at the edge of collapse. Panic ensnared international markets. Worst of all, the credit crisis spread to all parts of the U.S. economy and grew more ominous with each passing day, destroying jobs across America and undermining the financial security millions of families had spent their lifetimes building.
This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime economic nightmare. Events no one had thought possible were happening in quick succession, and people all over the globe were terrified that the continuing downward spiral would bring unprecedented chaos. All eyes turned to the United States Treasury Secretary to avert the disaster.
This, then, is Hank Paulson's first-person account. From the man who was in the very middle of this perfect economic storm, On the Brink is Paulson's fast-paced retelling of the key decisions that had to be made with lightning speed. Paulson puts the reader in the room for all the intense moments as he addressed urgent market conditions, weighed critical decisions, and debated policy and economic considerations with of all the notable players-including the CEOs of top Wall Street firms as well as Ben Bernanke, Timothy Geithner, Sheila Bair, Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain, and then-President George W. Bush.
More than an account about numbers and credit risks gone bad, On the Brink is an extraordinary story about people and politics-all brought together during the world's impending financial Armageddon.
Download and start listening now!
"I would not have picked up this book if I hadn't won it. But I'm very glad I did. It was readable to someone who isn't an expert in the field. I work in government and passed it along to my bosses who are thrilled by the book also."
— Kaitlyn (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“The primary, and sizable, contribution of this book is the inside view it affords of the often limited powers of the federal government.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“The former US Treasury secretary gives a gripping account of how he battled to prevent complete meltdown in the financial system, with plenty of illuminating detail.”
— Financial Times -
“In this fast-moving, insider’s account of “the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression,” [Paulson] tells his side of the story.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“The facts as Paulson saw them. Drawing on phone call and meeting logs, Paulson offers a unique perspective on the recovery efforts and the thought processes of those involved in shoring up the world’s largest economy.”
— Bookmarks
Awards
-
A New York Times bestseller
On the Brink Listener Reviews
-
" Open honest straightforward as the eagle scout he is.... the best book on the crisis thus far "
— Sean, 2/8/2014 -
" A not so entertaining tale of politicians not getting anything done. "
— Tyson, 2/7/2014 -
" The crises of 2007-2008 explained in excrutiating detail. I did not breeze through this book as it was something I'd put down for a month or more, come back to and read 100 pages, and so on. It's interesting on a super-nerd level, but I don't think I'd recommend it if you're looking for some quick answers as to why everything spiraled out of control. "
— Kristen, 2/2/2014 -
" Paulson reveals that he is a closet democrat. Had great things to say about Pres Bush, Barney Frank, Ben Bernanke, Tim Geithner and himself. He didn't like McCain. Difficult read but lots of good info. "
— Hal, 1/31/2014 -
" The book is written in short matter-of-fact sentences and contains few new details. Paulson does reveal the work ethic and communication style of Washington's financial elite. The lack of extremes used to describe the second most extreme economic collapse in a century is a bit surprising. His personal notes reveal insight and behaviors but not much personality (he is a Christian Scientist, intensely rational and does not drink). He is a exceptional man with a exceptional story but is a unexceptional author. Nonetheless, the book may serve as the most complete and accurate recount of the financial collapse that gets published. "
— Joseph, 1/27/2014 -
" Very good rendition of the events of 2008. "
— Larry, 1/2/2014 -
" wtf. For such a smart dude, Paulson seems to constantly be trying to fill up pages to make the book look more substantial. He is an ass towards Sheila Bair, who seemed a hell of a lot more reasonable than he did. "
— Karl, 11/18/2013 -
" I thought this was an excellent account of the events of and leading up to 2008. "
— Kevin, 6/18/2013 -
" 3 1/2 Stars - Much better than I was expecting "
— Jennifer, 12/27/2012 -
" interesting tale. i wonder how much is true. regardless, it's a good read for trying to understand the frame of mind and the thought bases of those who tried to manage a fiasco and developed the bailout. "
— Bob, 12/26/2011 -
" right from the horse's mouth about the greatest financial crisis since the great depression "
— Abhishek, 8/2/2011
About Henry M. Paulson
Henry M. Paulson served under President George W. Bush as the seventy-fourth secretary of the Treasury from June 2006 until January 2009. Before coming to the Treasury, he had been chairman and chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs since the firm’s initial public offering in 1999. He joined the Goldman Sachs Chicago office in 1974 and steadily rose through the ranks. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Paulson was a member of the White House Domestic Council, serving as staff assistant to the president from 1972 to 1973, and as staff assistant to the assistant secretary of defense at the Pentagon from 1970 to 1972. He graduated from Dartmouth in 1968, where he majored in English, was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and was an All Ivy, All East football player. He received an MBA from Harvard in 1970.
About Dan Woren
Dan Woren is an American voice actor and Earphones Award–winning narrator. He has worked extensively in animation, video games, and feature films. He is best known for his many roles in anime productions such as Bleach and as the voice of Sub-Zero in the video game Mortal Kombat.