Description
Book Synopsis''A compelling portrait of early 21st-century casino capitalism ... essential reading.'' - The Times
On 13 September 2007, Robert Peston broke the news that Northern Rock had become a victim of the global credit crunch and was seeking an emergency loan from the Bank of England.
It was the latest in a long line of scoops by this award-winning journalist. Over the weeks that followed, the Government found itself exposed to the Rock to the tune of 57 billion, or almost 2000 for every taxpayer. As Robert Peston shows in this fascinating book, the seeds for the collapse of Northern Rock and the upheavals in the financial markets were sown years before.
Who Runs Britain? is the first time anyone has drawn all the threads together to weave a story that''s rich in extraordinary characters and outrageous feats of economic bravado. This book is about the widening gap between the super-rich and the rest of us. It explores and explodes the myth
Trade Review
A compelling portrait of early 21st century casino capitalism ... essential reading. -- Howard Davies * The Times *
Fluent, incredibly up to the minute look at Britain ... Peston, in relaxed, conversational style is a great travelling companion along the highways of finance. * Observer *
This lucid and timely guide to the world of turbo-capitalism ... absorbing book, essential reading for anyone who wants to know how the British economy now operates. -- Peter Wilby * Guardian *
Peston catches the zeitgeist of Britain and the paradox that is Gordon Brown. * Financial Times *
Peston is our rock... The triumph of Robert Peston makes me proud of my old paper, the BBC and of journalism in general. -- Sarah Sands * Independent on Sunday *
A devastating account of Blair's producer capture by high finance... Peston navigates with ease the shark-infested waters of hedge funds, sub-prime borrowing, defined-benefit pensions and loans for honours. -- Simon Jenkins * Sunday Times *
This remains the most riveting book on finance you may ever bother to read. * Evening Standard *
Engaging -- Harry Mount * Telegraph *
wonderful clarity * Sunday Telegraph *
Starkly lucid -- Polly Toynbee * Guardian *
Book of the year * Financial Times *
I recommend this book -- Nicholas Lezard * Guardian *
