31 Comments
 

Applied Mergers and Acquisitions (Wiley Finance) - More class-related work. Explains the effects of M&A, different transactions, defenses and governance policies. It's more of a research book but it has a good chapter on valuation and a good chapter on M&A structures. (with their pro's and con's.)

Investment Banking: Valuation, Leveraged Buyouts, and Mergers and Acquisitions - A more practical book that really gets into the every-day work of M&A.

Both come with CD's with excel problems. First book even has a very good work book to really delve into solving M&A cases.

I highly suggest both.

 

Plenty of information online, don't need to spend money, use websites like macabacus.com. If you want to spend some money though, grab these books:

Monkey Business (Culture) Damn It Feels Good To Be A Banker (Culture) Rosenbaum Book Scoop Books - grab both Kings of Capital (PE) Merchants of Debt (PE) The Art of M&A Fitch Learning/Investment Banking (The Complete Analyst)

There are several threads on reading lists, look around. Keep up to date with news: Dealbook, themiddlemarket.com.

AgainstAllOdds
 
AgainstAllOdds

Plenty of information online, don't need to spend money, use websites like macabacus.com. If you want to spend some money though, grab these books:

Monkey Business (Culture)
Damn It Feels Good To Be A Banker (Culture)
Rosenbaum Book
Scoop Books - grab both
Kings of Capital (PE)
Merchants of Debt (PE)
The Art of M&A
Fitch Learning/Investment Banking (The Complete Analyst)

There are several threads on reading lists, look around. Keep up to date with news: Dealbook, themiddlemarket.com.

How good is that Art of M&A book? Been thinking about investing time in that one.

And is Fitch Learning any good if you've already internalized the entire Rosenbaum & Pearl book + a couple of interview guides. I would think for some it may start to hit the point of diminishing returns.

 

Try "The Practitioner's Guide to Investment Banking" by Scoop Books. You must order it off their website as it is not available on Amazon.

Robert Bruner's book: "Applied Mergers and Aquisitions" is also really good, but it is very long and probably overkill just for interviews. Also, if you are not used to the case method (i.e. you did not go to HBS or Darden, where Bruner is the dean) you might find it a bit odd.

Pearl and Rosenbaum's book is also really solid, probably the most applicable to technical interview questions.

 

I'm a fan of Scoops' "The Practitioner's Guide to Investment Banking, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Finance" (http://www.scoopbooks.com/ourbooks_2.php)

It's written by two former BB M&A Associates/VPs and does a pretty good job of covering some of the more advanced yet key M&A topics. However, although I'd consider it high level and practical, I'm not sure if it's as in depth as you're looking for (although I find it easier to read and less dry than a standard M&A textbook). I have the book at my desk, so if you're curious about any particular topic, I'd be happy to get back to you with how much material they have on that topic

 

I would highly recommend the The Practitioner's Guide to Investment Banking, Mergers & Acquisitions, corporate finance by Scoops. It's in my opinion one of the top M&A reference guides for junior bankers

It covers a variety of topics, but the M&A section is comprehensive and well-written. It does a good job of clearly explaining some of the trickier aspects of M&A (e.g. M&A tax, purchasing accounting etc) and I know a lot of guys who keep it as a reference at their desk

 
Valk

I would highly recommend the The Practitioner's Guide to Investment Banking, Mergers & Acquisitions, corporate finance by Scoops. It's in my opinion one of the top M&A reference guides for junior bankers

It covers a variety of topics, but the M&A section is comprehensive and well-written. It does a good job of clearly explaining some of the trickier aspects of M&A (e.g. M&A tax, purchasing accounting etc) and I know a lot of guys who keep it as a reference at their desk

I have bought Rosenbaum, and am considering buying the book you suggested. Would you know the differences between the two? I have a 2 week holiday to prepare before an IBD interview. Appreciate some guidance.

 

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