Wall Street

A History, Updated Edition

By: Charles R. Geisst

Narrated by: Stephen McLaughlin

Length: 27 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Wall Street is an unending source of legend - and nightmares. It is a universal symbol of both the highest aspirations of economic prosperity and the basest impulses of greed and deception. Charles R. Geisst's Wall Street is at once a chronicle of the street itself - from the days when the wall was merely a defensive barricade built by Peter Stuyvesant - and an engaging economic history of the United States, a tale of profits and losses, enterprising spirits, and key figures that transformed America into the most powerful economy in the world.

The audiobook traces many themes, like the move of industry and business westward in the early 19th century, the rise of the great Robber Barons, and the growth of industry from the securities market's innovative financing of railroads, major steel companies, and Bell's and Edison's technical innovations. And because "The Street" has always been a breeding ground for outlandish characters with brazen nerve, no history of the stock market would be complete without a look at the conniving of ruthless wheeler-dealers and lesser known but influential rogues.

This updated edition covers the historic, almost apocalyptic events of the 2008 financial crisis and the overarching policy changes of the Obama administration. As Wall Street and America have changed irrevocably after the crisis, Charles R. Geisst offers the definitive chronicle of the relationship between the two, and the challenges and successes it has fostered that have shaped our history.

©1997 Charles R. Geisst (P)2014 Audible Inc.

A good listen on the financial events and people through the eras

This book gives familiarity to historical names and highlights what made them widely known. It also helps put America’s history in context because of the monies and economies that built our country.

Great Book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a great book to learn about Wall Street History. The best overall book on the history of Wall Street.

good solid history

a well written and performed book.

I didn't learn anything I didn't know but it's all here is n a nicely digestible package.

A bit jargon-heavy, but quite good

The arcane terms and technical detail would be fine with a little more introduction for the intelligent layman. Some of it is there, but only comes at the third or fourth mention, due to bad editing.

I do, however, finally know what investment banking is. ...that is, inasmuch as anyone does.

Many books in one; best linking of stories, eras

I have read dozens of books in this genre. Yet, here I had many "gee whiz" moments, understanding in new ways (and sometimes clearly for the first time) how many of these dots connected between personalities, groups in society, financial innovations and eras, and various world players affecting, and affected by, Wall Street. The explanations are sensible and clear, and flow sensibly across time and through these overlapping factors. Many books have picked up some segment of this, and I have heard many of these stories in a fragmented way, but these fragmented books tended to wander into details that can lose the thread of important facts and ideas, or to start and stop at arbitrary points. Half a dozen segments here could be books in themselves.
As for the narration, at first I thought it a bit on the relaxed and plodding side, but as time has passed, I have found it very listenable, and able to hold my attention.

An interesting story

The book is an interesting story about Wall Street, banks and finance in the US. It is easy to spot the authors political viewpoint, somewhere left of center, but this does not hinder the book from being well worth listening to.

Magnificent Informative Book

The book can be considered as a detailed walk-through Wall Street history since ~1780 till recent days. With this book, names & events were mentioned in connected manner like a continuous story.

Wow, what a journey.

Would you consider the audio edition of Wall Street to be better than the print version?

This was one of the must educational and detailed accounts of anything I've experienced in a while. I really couldnt wait to find out what would happen in each chapter

What other book might you compare Wall Street to and why?

it's like an american history course

Which scene was your favorite?

the 1920s and 1930's

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

its far too long for that, don't overdo it.

Any additional comments?

strongly recommend, though it's actually quite technical. Learn the vocab to improve your read of it.

Good story. Worth the read. The author has an axe to grind.

Great book overall. The author clearly isn’t a fan of Wall Street, and is pro Glass/Steagall. The obvious agenda doesn’t detract substantively from the book however. I recommend for anyone interested in the broad arc of American financial history.

must read for anyone in finance

What did you love best about Wall Street?

The detail Geisst goes into is difficult to find elsewhere. He aggregates key information for every historical period starting in the 1800s.

What did you like best about this story?

Hearing how bear raids were executed in the 20's was eye opening.
Too much information to highlight in a review.
But suffice to say anyone in finance needs to consider this masterpiece.