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.

more engaging than any novel I've read

I can't believe how well written this non fiction book is. the truths of Wall Street at that time and the lessons I learned through those stories kept me engaged, and affirmed my seemingly nieve thought that there is a place for me in finance. I've stood out for a lot of my life because I chose to stand on a strong moral compass given to me through my Christian faith. I got an undergraduate degree in finance and lost hope completely in the industry at large. this book changed me. I now know that this strong moral compass might play a small role in turning this system around.

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

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.

Surprisingly informative and entertaining

Learned a lot and enjoyed the anecdotes. I hope the authors tackle crypto. Well worth the time to listen.