How Money Became Dangerous

The Inside Story of our Turbulent Relationship with Modern Finance

By: Christopher Varelas, Dan Stone

Narrated by: Roger Wayne

From a veteran of the trade, a provocative and entertaining voyage into the turbulent heart of modern money that sheds new light on the rise of our threatening and complicated financial system, how money became our adversary, and why finding a new course is crucial to a healthy society

In the not too distant past, money was simple. You might have had a bank account and a mortgage, perhaps some basic investments. Wall Street didn’t have a reputation for greed and recklessness. That all started to change in the eighties, as our financial systems became increasingly complex, moving beyond the understanding of the general public while impacting our lives in innumerable ways. The financial world began to feel like an enigma—a rogue force working against us, seemingly controlled by no one.

From an industry veteran who’s had firsthand involvement in the events that shaped modern money, How Money Became Dangerous journeys from the crime-ridden LA jewelry district to the cutthroat Salomon Brothers trading floor, from the high-stakes world of investment banking to the center of the technology boom, capturing the key deals, developments, and players that made the financial world what it is today. The book illuminates the dark, hidden forces of Wall Street and how it has dehumanized and left behind everyday Americans. A fresh and enlightening take on how we reached this point, How Money Became Dangerous also makes the case for why Wall Street needs to be saved, if only to save ourselves.

Excellent vignettes leave strong messages

The author uses factual stories to drive home the key issues upon which he bases his observations and recommendations for societal change. The narrator is excellent
Peter Benziger

Highly recommend

Good storytelling, great narration, interesting inside look at mergers and acquisitions. The only thing I did not like is the book's title

A worthy 21st century successor to Liar's Poker

if you want to understand the world we live in, and enjoy the learning, read "How Money Became Dangerous". Varelas is a master story teller with a font of insightful lessons drawn from an extraordinary set of experiences.

You must read this book. It affects your life.

You must read this book. It affects your life a lot! Great stories that make a usually dry subject utterly fascinating. Individual chapters would make great movies. Money has a powerful life of its own that affects you every single day. Don't be a victim, understand what's going on.

Well worth the listen.

If you need a nuanced understanding of Wall Street and the pitfalls of the modern financial system, this is an excellent exposition.