3 Books to Read This Month

October Issue 2022

How to Become an Investment Banker by Andrew Gutmann

How to Become an Investment Banker is more of a text book than a book. Gutmann in this book, includes everything you need to know about the division and, in addition, about the interview process (including but not limited to cover letter tips and some key answers to typical questions). If you are thinking of applying or changing into IBD this is ‘the book’ to read in order to familiarize yourself with the division and everything it entails. It is divided into 9 chapters which include valuation, finance overview, accounting overview, mergers and acquisitions… which are some of the tasks/areas which as an investment banker you will be dealing with.

The Subprime Solution by Robert Shiller

The subprime solution is Shiller’s take on the GFC (written during the crisis) and his analysis of the solutions taken, proposed and the ones he himself suggests. He addresses the effects of such measures such as The FHASecure Bailouts or the expansionary monetary policy through a cutback on interest rates by the Federal Reserve, TAF, TSLF, and PDCF. In addition to this analysis he also uses the book to compare this crisis with previous crises such as the housing crisis of the 30s. Through the book you get a deep understanding of both crises and you also understand how different government efforts can shape the outcome of the same problem. For anyone who is interested in economics and crises this is a must read. Moreover, Shiller is one of the greatest economists of our time and being able to get even the slightest insight into his interpretation of the current state of the economy/world is worthwhile, more notably, in this book, his take on behavioral economics and democratization of finance.

Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins

Can’t hurt me is the autobiography of David Goggins, one of the most influential human beings in the sports/armed forces sector. Although this book is not like the others which I have recommended on this blog because it really doesn’t provide any intellectual insight into any topic, I believe that this book is one of the most important, powerful and significant on this blog. Goggins tells his story of motivation and overcoming, setting goals and pushing through until those goals were mere milestones in his life. An obese, academically constrained, black, abused male in the US in the ‘90s, tells his incredibly inspiring story. Truly one of the books that completely changed my mindset and forced me to hold myself accountable and wreck those intrusive unproductive and self-repressing thoughts. The book is packed with inspirational quotes which will change the way you see life - my personal favorites: “No one is going to come help you. No one’s coming to save you”, “We’re either getting better or we’re getting worse”, and “I don’t stop when I’m tired. I stop when I’m done”.