This is one of the better summaries of where we have been and what to expect in the future. Mauldin has a great way of sharing his knowledge.

This is not a novel. It is a set of conditions that explain where we are now and how we got here plus what to expect in the future. There is a lot of information here that I found fascinating.

No characters, really, except for the author.

No, but it was very interesting.

I especially enjoy the author's recap of other countries and what led them into the financial position they are in today. It made me realize how difficult it will be to extract ourselves from the financial problems already created by our politicians and political advisors.

I was rivetted by this book from start to finish. This is a must read/listen for anyone who wants to understand the global financial crisis that occured in 2008/2009 and the impending crises that will come in the near future. The financial outlook for every country is bleak and it is important for every well educated citizen to understand this.

I will be honest and say that if I hadn't just completed an economics course at college, a lot of this book would go right over my head. However, I found this book absolutely fascinating. John Mauldin doesn't pull any punches and in many ways his outlook for the global and US (and Australian) economic future is bleak, but if you have an appreciation of economics, this book is really interesting and covers a broad range of topics. At 9.6 hours it's getting towards the long side, but Sean Pratt is easy to listen to and I enjoyed the subject matter, so this wasn't an issue. I enjoyed the book so much I even went to John Mauldin's website to read his blog.

Unlike other financial and economic books that I've read, Endgame tackles the current problem in the world crisis. I like this book because unlike reading about history, you are reading the modern crisis and clear cut explanation on what is going on.

For example, the simple example on what is going on with Grease and you don't need a MBA to understand. The author also does a sub par job at explaining what should we do to increase our GOP. While it's not groundbreaking ideas, such as adding 30 cents on fuel to get off from foreign oil and allowing certain illegal immigrants buying homes for taxes, or no capital gain for small businesses, all of his ideas aren't too far fetch on what we should be doing,

As far Europe and after reading Endgame. Like the Great Wall in China, their economic status won't be standing for another 200 years, yet alone 2000.

The payoff of Endgame is during the last two hours in the book. John Mauldin goes global and explain each countries their "current" situation with their financial crisis.

Instead of learning what happened in the past, Endgame is reporting of what is going on in the present times.

Don't read this book after knowing the aftermath, read this book while we are in it.

Overall the book was informative for someone who has never read or studied anything about economics. It certainly seemed to present an eyes open view of financial realities to come. I do have a couple of criticisms, one cynical and one national.

First, it appears that the USA, Japan, Great Britain and most of the world are doomed ... probably ... almost certainly, but it's OK because in a few generations we'll be able to look back with fondness on the, as yet, imminent tough times. Meanwhile, exciting technological advances will anesthetize us into thinking the pain isn't so bad.

Second, I find it rather amazing, that even though Canada is the largest or second largest trading partner with the USA, there was more in this book about the economies of Latvia & Estonia than us in the frozen wasteland to America's north. If like me, you are a Canadian, let me sum up; gather as many Loonies (that's Cdn$, not whacko's) as possible as opposed to other currencies and, the Canadian housing bubble hasn't burst, yet.

I don't regret using a credit for this audiobook because I did learn a lot about an important, albeit dry subject. If you choose this for your own library, do it for the education not the excitement and if you want to know what's in store for us polite, igloo living schmucks north of 49 you better ask Prime Minister Harper. I hear he's an economist too.

John Mauldin has condensed the essence of America's debt problem into laymen's terms in what is a very readable style. You don't have to be an economist (remember God created economists to make astrologers look respectable)to understand what is likely to happen to us all if we don't get busy and replace some of our socialist leaders in Washington. Maulding uses the analogy of avalanche simulation to see where all the tendrils of risk have created instability in our financial world. I would read this book before I went to bed tonight!! That's how important it is.

The authors attempt to string together material from books by others and fail to come up with a cohesive whole.

I got the impression that they didn't fully understand what they were writing about. The frequent cliches, put downs, and repetitions drove me silly. The topic is obviously beyond them and they should leave it to the experts.

As for the narrator, there is only one word to describe his performance - Disastrous!

From the first sentence, the author reveals his abysmal ignorance of economics, banking and international finance. The book has nothing to contribute to an understanding of "the debt crisis" A total waste of a credit.