What books are great to read for breaking into Wall Street?

I am a president at my investment club at college, and I am wondering if anyone has good recommendations on what to during our college seminars. I am planning to become a future stockbroker later after my internship at BB. I also heard that the movie "Trading Places" is a good start to show our club during meetings. I may have to look into this further, thanks all.

Rakesh Mobad - Future Aspiring Wall Streetee

51 Comments
 

Rosenbaum's IBanking: Valuation, LBOs and M&A.

[quote]The HBS guys have MAD SWAGGER. They frequently wear their class jackets to boston bars, strutting and acting like they own the joint. They just ooze success, confidence, swagger, basically attributes of alpha males.[/quote]
 

This is mainly (although not exclusively) for Investment Banking:

Theoretical: The McKinsey "Valuation" book "Investment Valuation" by Damodaran

Practical: "Investment Banking" by Rosenbaum and Pearl

Lifestyle: "Monkey Business" "Liar's Poker"

Classic read: "Barbarians at the Gate"

Cases: "Case-in-Point" by Cosentino

Capitalist
 

Wouldn't you think some of these titles may be a little dense and for someone only considering a career in finance/consulting? I would stick with easy titles to start - there's no need to pick up Damadoran or Rosenbaum's books unless you're really serious.

Said before but some of these light reads are: Barbarians at the Gate - Leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco and touches on the rise of the junk bonds Monkey Business - Funny day in the life of an IB associate The Greatest Trade Ever - John Paulson's hedge fund capitalizing on the mortgage crisis When Genius Failed - Academics found quant based hedge fund that leverages to the hill until their models fall apart

That should get you started.

 
oowijAny entertaining reads similar to Monkey Business for the consulting world?
House of Lies. Although I'd almost say it falls halfway on the Ridiculous Scale between Monkey Business and Leveraged Sellout.
Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 

It's one of those books that tries to be douchey like LSO but falls short. It's one of the more satirical/bitter views of the industry, I'd say. Definitely not something you'd read to get a "feel" for the business but if you want a few laughs then it's alright. Personally, I say skip all that and just read something like Consulting 101 or any of the McKinsey books (McK Way, McK Engagement, McK Mind).

Currently: future neurologist, current psychotherapist Previously: investor relations (top consulting firm), M&A consulting (Big 4), M&A banking (MM)
 

Agree, good book. Quick read. Great to have insight from top people all in one place. Would highly recommend to people beginning to think about wall street jobs.

 

Well, assuming you already own a Kindle you can download a preview of the book (i.e. Chapter 1) and see how you like it. If you don't own a Kindle, then for the most part it's ok, looking closely at graphs can be tricky and a bit time consuming.

"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education" - Mark Twain
 

You can preview it on Amazon even if you don't own a kindle through their online kindle app just find the kindle version and preview it on their website. Also you don't need a kindle to read kindle books you can download the kindle app onto your computer.

"Sincerity is an overrated virtue" - Milton Friedman
 

How to use the WSO Search Bar by Will Hunting

Very helpful, could save you time, and change the way you view other members on this site. For instance, people who post topics that have been talked about ad nauseum.

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Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 

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