Is Wall Street bad for Main Street America? "A well-told exploration of why our current economy is leaving too many behind." —The New York Times In looking at the forces that shaped the 2016 presidential election, one thing is clear: much of the population believes that our economic system is rigged to enrich the privileged elites at the expense of hard-working Americans. This is a belief held equally on both sides of political spectrum, and it seems only to be gaining momentum. A key reason, says Financial Times columnist Rana Foroohar, is the fact that Wall Street is no longer supporting Main Street businesses that create the jobs for the middle and working class. She draws on in-depth reporting and interviews at the highest rungs of business and government to show how the “financialization of America”—the phenomenon by which finance and its way of thinking have come to dominate every corner of business—is threatening the American Dream. Now updated with new material explaining how our corrupted financial sys­tem propelled Donald Trump to power, Makers and Takers explores the confluence of forces that has led American businesses to favor balance-sheet engineering over the actual kind, greed over growth, and short-term profits over putting people to work. From the cozy relationship between Wall Street and Washington, to a tax code designed to benefit wealthy individuals and corporations, to forty years of bad policy decisions, she shows why so many Americans have lost trust in the sys­tem, and why it matters urgently to us all. Through colorful stories of both “Takers,” those stifling job creation while lining their own pockets, and “Makers,” businesses serving the real economy, Foroohar shows how we can reverse these trends for a better path forward.

As we stand poised on the brink of the next century, Wall Street has never been more turbulent or exciting. Now, in this smart, savvy, up-to-the-minute guide, the top editors of The Wall Street Journal tell you exactly what's happening on the floor, behind the scenes--giving you the inside, in-depth story on the most powerful firms and creative minds on Wall Street. This incisive resource examines the corporate structure, strategies, assets, profits and losses of the biggest and most diversified of Wall Street companies as well as the key retail firms, trading houses, investment banks, and giant commercial banks. Presented here also is a thorough examination of the venues in which Wall Street does much of its business--the New York Stock Exchange and the National Association of Securities Dealers--and the agencies that regulate that business such as the SEC and the Federal Reserve. Through the impeccable research and financial acumen that only The Wall Street Journal can deliver, you'll discover the fascinating stories behind Wall Street's headline-making power brokers and companies and gain a better understanding of the individuals, trends, and laws that control Wall Street today. Inside you'll find complete inside accounts of: , How Merrill Lynch turned itself around by penetrating banking and nonbrokerage businesses , Which firm elite mega-investment bank Morgan Stanley Dean Witter has its eyes on now , Why Smith Barney Inc.'s plan to challenge Merrill Lynch failed--and what they're doing to recover , The five big retail investment firms--Merrill Lynch, Smith Barney, Dean Witter, Paine Webber, and Prudential--and how they came to dominate the markets , Thehigh-pressure trading cultures within Salomon, Bear Stearns, and Lehman Brothers , The epoch-making deals--and career-breaking stumbles--carried out by investment banks like Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and First Boston , How J. P. Morgan and Bankers Trust have transformed themselves into financial powerhouses while other banks have fallen by the wayside , And much more Filled with privileged accounts and illuminating personality profiles of major Wall Street players, this book is the definitive guide for anyone who works on the Street, invests, or simply wants to know about the state of the financial world today and its prospects for tomorrow.

'The best business book I've ever read.' Bill Gates, Wall Street Journal 'The Michael Lewis of his day.' New York Times What do the $350 million Ford Motor Company disaster known as the Edsel, the fast and incredible rise of Xerox, and the unbelievable scandals at General Electric and Texas Gulf Sulphur have in common? Each is an example of how an iconic company was defined by a particular moment of fame or notoriety. These notable and fascinating accounts are as relevant today to understanding the intricacies of corporate life as they were when the events happened. Stories about Wall Street are infused with drama and adventure and reveal the machinations and volatile nature of the world of finance. John Brooks's insightful reportage is so full of personality and critical detail that whether he is looking at the astounding market crash of 1962, the collapse of a well-known brokerage firm, or the bold attempt by American bankers to save the British pound, one gets the sense that history really does repeat itself. This business classic written by longtime New Yorker contributor John Brooks is an insightful and engaging look into corporate and financial life in America.