The Chickenshit Club—an inside reference to prosecutors too scared of failure and too daunted by legal impediments to do their jobs—explains why in “an absorbing financial history, a monumental work of journalism…a first-rate study of the federal bureaucracy” (Bloomberg Businessweek).Jesse Eisigner begins the story in the 1970s, when the government pioneered the notion that top corporate executives, not just seedy crooks, could commit heinous crimes and go to prison. He brings us to trading desks on Wall Street, to corporate boardrooms and the offices of prosecutors and FBI agents. These revealing looks provide context for the evolution of the Justice Department’s approach to pursuing corporate criminals through the early 2000s and into the Justice Department’s approach to pursuing corporate criminals through the early 2000s and into the Justice Department of today, including the prosecutorial fiascos, corporate lobbying, trial losses, and culture shifts that have stripped the government of the will and ability to prosecute top corporate executives.“Brave and elegant….a fearless reporter…Eisinger’s important and profound book takes no prisoners (The Washington Post). Exposing one of the most important scandals of our time, The Chickenshit Club provides a clear, detailed explanation as to how our Justice Department has come to avoid, bungle, and mismanage the fight to bring these alleged criminals to justice. “This book is a wakeup call…a chilling read, and a needed one” (NPR.org).

    Bear Stearns was about to announce profits of $115 million for the first quarter of 2008, had $17.3 billion in cash on hand, and, as the company incessantly boasted, had been a colossally profitable enterprise in the eighty-five years since its founding.Ten days later, Bear Stearns no longer existed, and the calamitous financial meltdown of 2008 had begun.How this happened – and why – is the subject of William D. Cohan’s superb and shocking narrative that chronicles the fall of Bear Stearns and the end of the Second Gilded Age on Wall Street. Bear Stearns serves as the Rosetta Stone to explain how a combination of risky bets, corporate political infighting, lax government regulations and truly bad decision-making wrought havoc on the world financial system.Cohan’s minute-by-minute account of those ten days in March makes for breathless reading, as the bankers at Bear Stearns struggled to contain the cascading series of events that would doom the firm, and as Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, New York Federal Reserve Bank President Tim Geithner, and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke began to realize the dire consequences for the world economy should the company go bankrupt. But HOUSE OF CARDS does more than recount the incredible panic of the first stages of the financial meltdown. William D. Cohan beautifully demonstrates why the seemingly invincible Wall Street money machine came crashing down. He chronicles the swashbuckling corporate culture of Bear Stearns, the strangely crucial role competitive bridge played in the company’s fortunes, the brutal internecine battles for power, and the deadly combination of greed and inattention that helps to explain why the company’s leaders ignored the danger lurking in Bear’s huge positions in mortgage-backed securities.The author deftly portrays larger-than-life personalities like Ace Greenberg, Bear Stearns’ miserly, take-no-prisoners chairman whose memos about re-using paper clips were legendary throughout Wall Street; his profane, colorful rival and eventual heir Jimmy Cayne, whose world-champion-level bridge skills were a lever in his corporate rise and became a symbol of the reasons for the firm’s demise; and Jamie Dimon, the blunt-talking CEO of JPMorgan Chase, who won the astonishing endgame of the saga (the Bear Stearns headquarters alone were worth more than JP Morgan paid for the whole company). Cohan’s explanation of seemingly arcane subjects like credit default swaps and fixed- income securities is masterful and crystal clear, but it is the high-end dish and powerful narrative drive that makes HOUSE OF CARDS an irresistible read on a par with classics such as LIAR’S POKER and BARBARIANS AT THE GATE.Written with the novelistic verve and insider knowledge that made THE LAST TYCOONS a bestseller and a prize-winner, HOUSE OF CARDS is a chilling cautionary tale about greed, arrogance, and stupidity in the financial world, and the consequences for all of us.

    alternate cover edition for ASIN-B00A6BRG6EIn this never-before-in-print romantic comedy, Annabelle Coakley and Clay Castleberry are determined to stop their parents from getting married...they didn't count on falling in love themselves!

    More than four million homes were lost to foreclosures. Is it a coincidence that the United States witnessed a dramatic rise in household debt in the years before the recession—that the total amount of debt for American households doubled between 2000 and 2007 to $14 trillion? Definitely not. Armed with clear and powerful evidence, Atif Mian and Amir Sufi reveal in House of Debt how the Great Recession and Great Depression, as well as the current economic malaise in Europe, were caused by a large run-up in household debt followed by a significantly large drop in household spending. Though the banking crisis captured the public’s attention, Mian and Sufi argue strongly with actual data that current policy is too heavily biased toward protecting banks and creditors. Increasing the flow of credit, they show, is disastrously counterproductive when the fundamental problem is too much debt. As their research shows, excessive household debt leads to foreclosures, causing individuals to spend less and save more. Less spending means less demand for goods, followed by declines in production and huge job losses. How do we end such a cycle? With a direct attack on debt, say Mian and Sufi.  More aggressive debt forgiveness after the crash helps, but as they illustrate, we can be rid of painful bubble-and-bust episodes only if the financial system moves away from its reliance on inflexible debt contracts. As an example, they propose new mortgage contracts that are built on the principle of risk-sharing, a concept that would have prevented the housing bubble from emerging in the first place. Thoroughly grounded in compelling economic evidence, House of Debt offers convincing answers to some of the most important questions facing the modern economy today: Why do severe recessions happen? Could we have prevented the Great Recession and its consequences? And what actions are needed to prevent such crises going forward?

    It took the police a decade to curtail the violence and bring down criminal kingpins Carl Williams, Tony Mokbel and their accomplices. When the police finally closed the case file, just how they really won the war, with the help of an unlikely police informer, would become a closely guarded secret and its exposure, the biggest legal scandal of our time.Lawyer X is the scandalous, true story of how a promising defence barrister from a privileged background broke all the rules - becoming both police informer and her client's lover - sharing their secrets and shaping the gangland war that led to sensational arrests and convictions. The story of how Nicola Gobbo became Lawyer X, and why, is a compelling study in desperation and determination.Lawyer X is the definitive story of Melbourne's gangland wars and its most glamorous and compelling central character, based on the ground-breaking work of investigative journalists Anthony Dowsley and Patrick Carlyon, who broke the story for the Herald Sun in 2014, and their five-year struggle to reveal the truth about the identity of Lawyer X.

    One of conservatism's most articulate voices dissects today's most important economic, racial, political, education, legal, and social issues, sharing his entertaining and thought-provoking insights on a wide range of contentious subjects.

    Explaining in specific terms what benefits a trust will have, Ronald Farrington Sharp gives the tools necessary to set up a loved one’s trust with no lawyers and no expense. Wills benefit lawyers. Trusts benefit the clients. Too often lawyers sell wills to clients only to sit back and wait to sell their probate services to their clients’ heirs. Ronald Farrington Sharp describes the best way to handle modern estate planning and details the many advantages trusts have over wills in not only eliminating probate but in also protecting your assets for your heirs. Sharp explains why legal services are not needed to do the clerical work in settling a trust after death. This updated edition includes new information on an array of subjects, including: Elimination of the federal estate tax for most estates due to increased exemption amounts Online assets The use of passwords, usernames, and websites Keeping trustees honest and the process of removing trustees for malfeasance Forms for simplifying the planning process Strategies to lower attorneys’ fees>/li> With no legal jargon, just step-by-step instructions and sample form letters, Living Trusts for Everyone takes the mystery out of the process of setting up a trust.

    Financial journalist Hobson tears away the mystique and jargon that surrounds the stock market and takes readers step-by-step through the most basic concepts of investing.

    An enduring masterpiece of investigative journalism by Bryan Burrough and John Helyar, it includes a new afterword by the authors that brings this remarkable story of greed and double-dealings up to date twenty years after the famed deal. The Los Angeles Times calls Barbarians at the Gate, “Superlative.” The Chicago Tribune raves, “It’s hard to imagine a better story...and it’s hard to imagine a better account.” And in an era of spectacular business crashes and federal bailouts, it still stands as a valuable cautionary tale that must be heeded.

    

    If you planned to become a great golfer, you might look to Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus.So, if your goals are to outperform other investors and achieve your life's financial goals, what should you do?Think, act, and invest like the best investor out there: Warren Buffett. While you can't invest exactly like he does, Think, Act, and Invest Like Warren Buffett provides a solid, sensible investing approach based on Buffett's advice regarding investment strategies.When it comes to investing, Director of Research for the BAM Alliance and CBS News blogger Larry Swedroe has pretty much seen it all--and he's come to the conclusion that simple is better, that adopting basic investing principles always increases an investor's chance of success, and that Buffett is an excellent model for such investing.In Think, Act, and Invest Like Warren Buffett, Swedroe provides the foundational knowledge you need to:Develop a financial plan to help you make rational decisions on a consistent basisDetermine the level of risk that's right for you, and allocate your assets accordinglyBuild a low-cost, tax-efficient, globally diversified portfolioManage your portfolio by rebalancing periodically to maintain proper risk levelsThe beauty of the Buffett approach is its profound simplicity: follow the basics, keep your cool, and have a sense of humor and humility.The market volatility of recent years has ushered in armies of economists, forecasters, and other so-called experts whose job it is to explain how everything works. Somehow, they have managed to muddy the waters even more.The truth is, investing is easier than you think--even in today's economy. Complex problems can have simple solutions, Swedroe writes. Think, Act, and Invest Like Warren Buffett helps you go back to the basics--so you can leap in front of the investing pack.Praise for Think, Act, and Invest Like Warren Buffett A valuable addition to the growing library of books for investors wanting to successfully launch their own portfolio. Sticking to the core principles of this book will go a long way in preparing investors for their eventual retirement years. -- SeekingAlpha.com"A book that offers excellent pointers on planning for retirement, creating a disciplined investment strategy, and constructing a portfolio." -- Barron'sIf you've been wondering why you've had such a hard time investing well, Think, Act, and Invest Like Warren Buffett will diagnose your ills and treat them in this delightful short book. -- William Bernstein, Author, A Splendid Exchange and The Investor's ManifestoFollow the investment strategy advocated by Larry Swedroe, and free yourself to spend your time on life's treasures--like your family and friends! -- William Reichenstein, Professor, Baylor UniversityLarry Swedroe is the undisputed expert in helping investors manage portfolios the smart way. His new book, Think, Act, and Invest Like Warren Buffett, combines all facets of wealth management in an inspiring and powerful manner. -- Bill Schultheis, Author, The New Coffeehouse Investor"This book, which covers the whys and hows of successful investing, was written for those investors who just can't (or won't) read a 300-page investing book. Swedroe's set of 30 rules is an education in itself. It's a small book with a big message." -- Mel Lindauer, Forbes.com columnist and co-author, The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing and The Bogleheads' Guide to Retirement Planning"You could not spend a more profitable hour than reading Larry Swedroe's wise and lucid hundred page investment guide." -- Burton G. Malkiel, Author of A Random Walk Down Wall Street"Larry Swedroe is the Mark Twain of the investment aphorism. This concise book builds to a conclusion that features thirty of his pithy truths. My favorites include: 'Never work with a commission-based advisor.' 'If it sounds too good to be true, it is.' 'The more complex the investment, the faster you should run away.'" -- Ed Tower, Professor of Economics at Duke University"Larry's book is about how to be successful in investing and in life. But, who would believe this involves understanding 'Big Rocks'? I now understand their importance and so should you! -- John A. Haslem, Professor Emeritus of Finance, University of Maryland, and author of Mutual Funds"Larry Swedroe's latest book shows you how to succeed at investing with simple yet powerful guidance that's backed by the financial sciences. Add it to your 'must-read' list." -- Steve Vernon, author of Money for Life: Turn Your IRA and 401(k) Into a Lifetime Retirement Paycheck"This book is a quick and thorough read of the passive approach to investing in as few pages as possible. As someone who teaches a college investments course that deals extensively with this topic, I would not have thought it possible to do what he has done in such a short concise book. Kudos to Larry for continuing in his quest to educate investors and save them as Larry says 'one investor at a time' from a financial services industry whose primary goal is largely to enrich themselves." -- Edward R. Wolfe, Professor of Finance, Western Kentucky University"Because common sense isn't so common, thank goodness Larry Swedroe provides his readers with this magnificent book. With well-founded actionable advice, his readers can insure that they enrich their lives not Wall Street's bank accounts." -- Harold Evensky, President, Evensky & Katz"Larry doesn't tell you how to do what Warren Buffett does as much as avoid what Warren Buffett avoids, which turns out to be exceptionally important and doable for any investor. He tells you to avoid a few things I would tell you to embrace, like some hedged strategies, but that is because Wall Street typically overcharges you for these, so even here Larry is on the side of the angels. Every investor can benefit immensely from this book." -- Cliff Asness, Founding and Managing Principal, AQR Capital ManagementMany investment books adopt an adversarial tone--urging us to achieve success by somehow outwitting the market. Larry Swedroe explains why following such a strategy often diminishes our financial as well as our spiritual wealth--and shows us how a holistic approach to money, markets, and human behavior provides the most rewarding path to follow. -- Weston Wellington, Vice President, Dimensio

    He shows you screenshots of how his income keeps growing along with an example of how he ultimately sold his 6 month old Amazon affiliate website for over $15000!He also shares 7 amazing tips on how to increase your conversion rates as an Amazon affiliate to get the maximum bang for your buck. If you’re looking for a practical and easy to follow guide on how to make money as an Amazon affiliate, then this is the right book for you.This book also includes FREE bonus Keyword packages that are worth more than $1000.

    Bogle. This engrossing book traces the history of Vanguard—the largest mutual fund organization on earth. Offering the world’s first index mutual fund in 1976, John Bogle led Vanguard from a $1.4 billion firm with a staff of 28 to a global company of 16,000 employees and with more than $5 trillion in assets under management. An engaging blend of company history, investment perspective, and personal memoir, this book provides a fascinating look into the mind of an extraordinary man and the company he created. John Bogle continues to be an inspiring and trusted figure to millions of individual investors the world over. His creative innovation, personal integrity, and stubborn determination infuse every aspect of the company he founded. This accessible and engaging book will help you: Explore the history of some of Vanguard’s most important mutual funds, including First Index Investment Trust, Wellington Fund, and Windsor Fund Understand how the Vanguard Group gave rise to the Index Revolution and transformed the lives of millions of individual investors Gain insight on John Bogle’s views on values such as perseverance, caring, commitment, integrity, and fairness Investigate a wide range of investing topics through the lens of one of the most prominent figures in the history of modern finance The Vanguard Group and John Bogle are inextricably linked—it would be impossible to tell one story without the other. Stay the Course: The Story of Vanguard and the Index Revolution weaves these stories together taking you on a journey through the history of one revolutionary company and one remarkable man. Investors, wealth managers, financial advisors, business leaders, and those who enjoy a good story, will find this book as informative and unique as its author.