How to Speak Money

What the Money People Say - and What It Really Means

By: John Lanchester

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

To those who don't speak it, the language of money can seem impenetrable and its ideas too complex to grasp. How to Speak Money is acclaimed writer John Lanchester's entertaining and informative attempt to bridge the gap between the money people and the rest of us. With characteristic wit and candor ("wickedly funny" - Dwight Garner, New York Times), Lanchester shows how the world of finance and economics really works - from the terms and conditions of your personal checking account to the evasions of bankers appearing in front of Congress.

How to Speak Money reveals how the language of money is often a tool to conceal and mislead; he explains hundreds of common economic terms, from GDP to the IMF, amortization to securitization to collateralized debt obligation; and he argues that we all need to speak money lest those who do write the financial rules for themselves.

©2014 John Lanchester (P)2014 Gildan Media LLC

Critic reviews

"How finance really works - by the writer hailed for “explain[ing] complex stuff in a down-to-earth and witty style" ( Economist)

Informative but opinionated

I enjoyed the explanations of all the common money terms. i did not enjoy his long rant at the end about whats wrong with society and how we should all save the world.

Good, But Skip The Last Hour

The introduction was good, insightful as to how language is used to obscure meaning. The money terms, listed alphabetically, were okay, although a bit tedious. The last hour was a gloomy, accusatory diatribe against the United States and American capitalism, so skip it unless you are not American or are un-American.

The Language of Money is confusing

The language of money is confusing. Well at least to me it is. GDP, GNP, LIBOR, Derivatives, and a whole host of other terms. This book is a very interesting look into the world and language of money. I enjoyed this book.

A Fantastic Overview of Modern Finance!

What made the experience of listening to How to Speak Money the most enjoyable?

This overview of modern finance (while much of it won't be new to the financially savvy) was superbly crafted. The author describes the terms of the modern financial world in the way that everyone within its hallowed halls understands but few are wiling to say. There is an undeniably progressive slant to the conclusions he draws but after learning about the underpinnings of the recent financial crisis, it's hard to walk away with any other conclusion. This is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the global financial system.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Keynes and Hayek are rendered with more nuance than most other summaries of their "conflict".

Which character – as performed by Sean Pratt – was your favorite?

Overall the narration was superb. Sean Pratt added the perfect intonation that had me hanging on his every word. Even relatively boring sections were delivered with color that engages the listener.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The inclusion in the lexicon of WuTang Clan's C.R.E.A.M. was both close to my heart and surprisingly relevant.

Any additional comments?

You won't listen to the financial news the same way after listening to this book. It will make everyone more financially literate.

Not bad at all...

I picked this book with no expectations as it was a suggestion from another book I had already enjoyed. I very much appreciated the conversational approach. So much meaning is lost in an attempt to hide that meaning. This book helps to open the veil.