Monkey Business: A Monkey's Review
Wondering where WSO’s simian theme comes from? Look no further.
If you ask any business school student or young analyst to name one book that got them excited about finance or investment banking, this would probably be it. And for good reason; it’s extremely readable and features characters who find themselves in the same position as many of us on this site are, or would like to be.
John Rolfe and Peter Troob are summer analysts who receive the coveted full-time offers from DLJ. The book is full of fascinating and often humorous observations about the inner workings of the industry. What’s it like pulling an all-nighter on a pitch-book, running a DCF, going to the printer, trying to keep sane in the insane asylum? It’s all here.
What tends to be underreported about “Monkey business” is its life lessons. Most people who have read it remember the hilarious tales of fellow analysts passing out during the meetings with senior management, Troob’s weeklong flight all over Europe on a total of 6 hours of sleep (for the week), and of course, the holiday party/boozefest (I gotta admit, that last one still has me laughing).
The problem is, a lot of people tend to remember the book more as this Wall Street romp, and forget that there is a story involved, and a rather depressing one at that. It’s no secret that the two main characters eventually become so disillusioned and fed up with investment banking that they quit.
It’s about having your conceptions about the real world shattered, or as the writers would put it, getting bitch-slapped by reality.
That’s really what “Monkey Business” is about; it’s just been overshadowed by the laughs. It takes a while for the life lessons of the book to sink in. It may get you excited about banking, but it could just as easily have the opposite effect. The writers might call that “waking up.”
Later editions of “Monkey Business” have a timely “where are they now?” section on the crisis, and shows where they, their friends, and the firm have wound up since then.
Since this is probably WSO’s most widely-read book, I open the floor for everyone to name their favorite part of this wonderful read. Or maybe you think I’m wrong? You don’t have to take my word for it.
Read up, monkeys—the first time for the laughs, the second time (and all the times after that) for your career decisions.
In addition, may I offer my nomination for the WSO official theme song:
Monkey’s Review 1: Barbarians At the Gate
Monkey’s Review 2: The Financier
Monkey’s Review 3: Decision Points
Monkey’s Review 4: Debunkery
Monkey’s Review 5: When Genius Failed
Monkey’s Review 6: Monkey Business
Monkey’s Review 7: Death Of The Banker
Monkey’s Review 8: A Journey
Monkey’s Review 9: Damn It Feels Good To Be A Banker
Monkey’s Review 10: The Quants
Monkey’s Review 11: All About Hedge Funds
Monkey’s Review 12: The Unlikely Disciple
Monkey’s Review 13: Adventure Capitalist
Monkey’s Review 14: The Hedge Fund Book
Monkey’s Review 15: Investing In Hedge Fund of Funds
Monkey’s Review 16: Hilarity Ensues
Monkey’s Review 17: The Prince
Monkey’s Review 18: Markets Never Forget (But People Do)
Monkey’s Review 19: The Money Culture






Comments
In The Flesh wrote: John
John Rolfe and Peter Troob are summer analysts..
Stopped reading after this error.
Sorry
haha i wanted to say the same
haha i wanted to say the same
"I just peed underneath the
"I just peed underneath the table" was my favorite part.
Guess I gotta read again for some of these life lessons
FlySoHigh wrote: "I just peed
"I just peed underneath the table" was my favorite part.
Guess I gotta read again for some of these life lessons
Honestly I wouldn't. It's depressing. But if you rely on a theme which is touched upon earlier in the book -people's ability to divest themselves from past pain infavour of the present, but usually net negative, gain - you'll be fine. Just remember the fun stuff.
What are the authors up to
What are the authors up to nowadays?
I read this book right after
I read this book right after finals this last semester.. definitely a welcome read after spending days on end inside textbooks.
As someone from a target that wanted to land an SA position at an IB this summer.. I was let down when I found myself by spring break without an offer. Instead of going to Mexico with 10 of my closest friends, I spent my week at home networking and getting in touch with every one-off contact I had in the industry. A few weeks later, I ended up receiving an offer to work for my school's endowment company... I took it. Reading Monkey Business really made me appreciate the series of events that I went through.
Reading of Rolfe and Troobie's experience at DLJ was extremely entertaining, and I'm sure that I've missed out on some memorable times. Who knows where I'll end up FT and maybe I'll end up sacrificing a few years of my life formatting pitchbooks after midnight, but reading MB makes me appreciate the freedom I have here to play golf after work.
In the war against you and the other qualified candidates out there, the best arsenal is to prove that you have outdone yourself.
ThaVanBurenBoyz wrote: What
What are the authors up to nowadays?
Running their own small HF's, I believe
Oreos wrote: In The Flesh
John Rolfe and Peter Troob are summer analysts..
Stopped reading after this error.
Sorry
Shouldn't have stopped reading then. They start as summer analysts (junior associates) and accept full time offers, which is when the story really takes off.
Head of Metal Website: www.headofmetal.com
https://twitter.com/headofmetal2012
I think this song would be
I think this song would be good too. It has a rocking keyboard solo starting at 4:25. But yours sounds very 80's if that's what we're going for.
Shock the Money seems too cruel, but it's a good song regardless.
Reality hits you hard, bro...
In The Flesh wrote: Oreos
John Rolfe and Peter Troob are summer analysts..
Stopped reading after this error.
Sorry
Shouldn't have stopped reading then. They start as summer analysts (junior associates) and accept full time offers, which is when the story really takes off.
Summer associates
My favorite part is when
My favorite part is when Troob claims to have [put ear plugs up his noes to annoy the VP from goldman for being short with him while on a lay over in Europe. "What a bitch."]
MMBinNC wrote: I think this
I think this song would be good too. It has a rocking keyboard solo starting at 4:25. But yours sounds very 80's if that's what we're going for.
Shock the Money seems too cruel, but it's a good song regardless.
No reason there can't be an official playlist. Very good track; will definitely have to check out this band. Shock the Monkey is an excellent choice--nothing cruel about it!
Other contenders could be the Stones' "Monkey Man" and Jethro Tull's "Bungle In the Jungle."
Head of Metal Website: www.headofmetal.com
https://twitter.com/headofmetal2012
Where can I read/buy this
Where can I read/buy this book/reviews? None of the links are working for me...
I have a scanned PDF version
I have a scanned PDF version of the book. Its quality sucks big time, but readable. PM me your e-mail address.
http://www.amazon.com/Monkey-
http://www.amazon.com/Monkey-Business-Swinging-Thr...
Great book, question though.
bdiddy wrote: Great book,
SHORTmyCDO wrote: bdiddy
I read this recently. I could
My favorite part is where he
Double post
Maybe it was different in the
Favorite part is when one of
"A man generally has two reasons for doing anything. One that sounds good, and the real one." - J.P. Morgan