Rogue Trader Paperback – August 2, 2016

I think this is a must read for anyone in #finance or #investing. However, it’s a riveting tale that I think anyone would find pleasure in reading while also taking away some valuable life lessons. Great book!

This is a very good account of the events surrounding the collapse of Barrings Bank in 1995. I was really suprised to read that a lot of the executives were so clueless about the entire operation of Nick Leeson; as he describes, there were 6-7 very clear occasions when his losses could have been discovered, but everytime they stopped short of asking one question. Also, the prose of the book is pretty good (didn't expect from a non-professional writer).

If you liked Rogue Trader the movie, then you'll love this book. I first saw that film in 2008 after I got crushed in the market by being long and averaging down eur/usd in October. I was still early on in my trading career and hadn't really learned that you can't argue with the market. (I knew that on a theoretical level, of course, but putting it in practice was a different matter). I could instantly relate to Nick's trading mistakes. Even though I've watched the movie several times since then, I don't really know why I haven't picked the book till now. I agree that's an interesting book, a financial thriller like other reviewer put it. But as a trader myself, I view it as a cautionary tale as well. I think every beginning trader should read it and watch the movie.

Some passages have lot of not worthed details about his life, in the other hand a good look to the mind of a bribe

Nick Lesson goes thru a detailed account of events leading up to Barings insolvency. He combines it with his autobiography between 1987-1995. An impressive look back at the apathy of senior management at Barings and how that enabled a junior trader to chew more than he could bite.

This is a truly captivating book for all who have an interest in financial markets. As an insight into how large financial institutions operate, it is a must read for auditors, students and managers in how not to run a business. The pace is fast with the onsetting panic of Leeson being palpable as he races towards the inevitable crash. The Ewan McGregor movie obviously stuck close to the book, but if you have already seen the film it will not distract from the book which adds more layers of complexity to the story. Well written, amazing insights and some thoughtful life lessons given.

I would recommend it to anyone responsible for money - be it small or large sums, private or corporate. The book is a great lesson on how our emotions can throw us into a neverending financial problem spiral. The beauty of the book is that we can deduce from it, how not to get into such situations in the first place! An outstanding "financial thriller" even for those who cannot tell "futures" from "options", based on authentic experiences of a man who caused an entire bank to go bankrupt.

Interesting story about general incompetence and corruption in the corporate world. In the world of finance you can get ahead and keep it that way if you're part of the boys' club. This is not a book about trading though.

Awesome read. Could not put it down!

Must read for all the traders.Nice book to read on trading and you will be able to spend your weekend in comfortable way.

Great book

Passionant et malheureusement au combien prémonitoire. Un roman d’aventure à lire pour mieux comprendre les dessous et les travers de la finance internationale.

I am fortunate for having worked in a unique vantage point in the City of London during the period that this mind-blowing financial crash of one of Britain's oldest and most prestigious merchant banks. For me, Nick Leeson's brilliant account of the fall of, Barings in 1995 has all the ingredients of a thriller. Also it is the tale of young married love which eventually buckled under the enormous strain imposed upon them To me, Leeson comes across as a likeable young man intent on making money and living life to the full with his attractive wife in Singapore. But sadly, he got out of his depth. That said, he is not the villain of the piece. For Leeson and chairman, Peter Baring have one essential thing in common - they were both out of their depth! And as usual in such cases, class and values played an all important role. Nick Leeson was the son of a plasterer from Watford but clearly he received a first-class education at the Parmenters School, becoming a prefect and leaving at the age of 18. But outside school, Nick Leeson was one of the lads and could accurately be described at times as something of a 'yob'. This duel personality and clash of values were to become both his rise to fame - also his downfall. This whole episode should be seen within the context of a revolution in the financial City of London - technology being the principal driving force. In the emerging global markets, there was an urgent need for street-wise, computer literate young men, hungry for status symbols of their new wealth in the form of smart sports cars and first-class travel. And Leeson wanted some of the action. In contrast, the senior management of Barings were not terribly interested in the detailed work of what went in Singapore - just so long as it produced the cash. And that was their downfall. In reading this absorbing book again, I have to say that a working knowledge of the money markets would be an advantage for the first time reader. Nevertheless, it is nothing but a brilliant and absorbing book. Today, banks are offering smart young graduates mouth watering salaries. But what do they want in return? Leeson was sentenced to jail in Singapore where he was found to have colon cancer - which luckily he survived. But his wife could not stand the strain of separation and they were divorced. So my advice to any ambitious young man or woman is to think carefully before accepting a job in the financial City which seems to be too good to be true. For starters, if you haven't read, 'Rogue Trader' - buy a copy now - it will serve you well in your future career. Forewarned is forearmed!