Griftopia by Matt Taibbi

Synopsis: A journalist’s digest of America’s financial markets and key players 

Writing Style: Satirical. Passionate.

Pacing: Moderately Fast.

Personal Highlights: What initially grabbed me was the writing. I liked it. Satirical and observant. It, however, wasn’t altogether easy reading. I had to familiarize myself with properties such as ‘Randian mindsets’ explaining negotiable instruments and financial portfolios… soon defined as ‘the game’, rubbing shoulders with political stanchions… in no time armed with ‘bailouts’, and a crest of ‘high lettered’ educators who eventually would be teaching the next generation short-term thinking and how to “rethink one’s conception of “value”. Peppered with stories along the vein of stealing from grandma, and selling parts of America’s infrastructure to entities from ‘god knows where’ overseas, and hearing from at least one person who tried to speak up—“Brooksley Born”—quickly subsided the laughing. It was hard reading one market after the next (mortgages (homes), finance, education, healthcare) folding in near domino fashion!

Overall, what tamed this story of greed and political oblivion, was picturing a more straightforward narrative. This story didn’t begin in the late 80’s/early 90’s. The perpetual laborious struggle to develop and sustain a thriving economy began with the founding of America and its appeal to manipulate …before having a firm understanding of what it was seeking to control. It’s hard to admit this, but my gosh… finding ‘pure’ victims was tough!