The Bond King cover art

The Bond King

How One Man Made a Market, Built an Empire, and Lost It All

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The Bond King

By: Mary Childs
Narrated by: Mary Childs
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About this listen

This program is read by the author.

From the host of NPR’s Planet Money, the deeply investigated story of how one visionary, ruthless investor changed American finance forever.

Before Bill Gross was known among investors as the Bond King, he was a gambler. In 1966, a fresh college grad, he went to Vegas armed with his net worth ($200) and a knack for counting cards. Ten thousand dollars and countless casino bans later, he was hooked, so he enrolled in business school.

The Bond King is the story of how that whiz kid made American finance his casino. Over the course of decades, Bill Gross turned the sleepy bond market into a destabilized game of high risk, high reward; founded Pimco, one of today’s most powerful, secretive, and cutthroat investment firms; helped to reshape our financial system in the aftermath of the Great Recession - to his own advantage; and gained legions of admirers, and enemies, along the way. Like every American antihero, his ambition would also be his undoing.

To understand the winners and losers of today’s money game, journalist Mary Childs argues, is to understand the bond market - and to understand the bond market is to understand the Bond King.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books

©2021 Mary Childs (P)2021 Macmillan Audio Business Politics & Government Professionals & Academics Thought-Provoking Great Recession Money

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Critic reviews

2022, Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, Long-listed
All stars
Most relevant
If you’re not familiar of the fixed income asset management firm PIMCO, this book provides you with a great origin story.

Bill Gross co-founded PIMCO and his flagship fund to c.$270bn. Along that journey, egos were developed and different market cycles were experienced. This book discusses Bill Gross and is mostly based on interviews and Bill’s newsletters and conference speeches, as opposed interviews with the man himself. Nevertheless, it’s still quite an interesting listen.

Interesting bio of Bill Gross

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The Author acknowledges adverse comments within the industry/media at the time taken to conclude this work, personally I am delighted at the time well spent in careful contemplation as what to include (and exclude). What presents is a painstakingly careful and considered critique of the man and his eras of operation and in so doing this work deserves the longevity of The House of Morgan, Barbarians at the Gate and Liars Poker. Yes there could I am sure have been more to align to #MeToo narratives but thankfully that was alluded to but left for others to consider, in this way we have a tome not just for these times but for all time.

Considered

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A very well researched, written, read and produced story about a uniquely complex protagonist. Thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish, I look forward to more from this author in the future.

Most enjoyable book I’ve listed to this year

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Fascinating view in the World of Bill Gross and Pimco

The effort required to write this book must have been incredible.

So easy to listen to and flows really well.

Fascinating view in the World of Bill Gross and Pimco

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This book artfully combines the unpredictability of life with the precision of the bond market, showcasing how personal differences and continuous learning drive success in this volatile field. Each page is a testament to the complex interplay between personal growth and professional achievements. The book not only chronicles the life of a financial legend but also serves as a mirror reflecting the broader lessons of resilience and adaptability.

Loved it

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