Recommendations you can check.
Writer on the intersection of technology and finance; author of the Bits about Money newsletter and host of the Complex Systems podcast.
10 things
The Dragon's BankerBook Scott Warren
sometimes, a title has you at hello, and then goes on to underpredict the actual work. That’s the Dragon’s Banker in a nutshell.
An essay arguing fiction is underrated for learning about the real world, followed by his opinionated list of financial fiction more people should read.
2024-10-07·bitsaboutmoney.com ↗
The Dagger and the CoinBook Daniel Abraham
This is a worthy entry in the genre. It suffers a bit from extensive plot not about banking and characters who barely speak to dragons. But all of that irrelevant fluff makes it one of the most underrated fantasy series I’ve ever read.
An essay arguing fiction is underrated for learning about the real world, followed by his opinionated list of financial fiction more people should read.
2024-10-07·bitsaboutmoney.com ↗
The Phoenix ProjectBook Gene Kim, Kevin Behr & George Spafford
The Phoenix Project is actually assigned at some infrastructure companies, because the narrative makes the pedagogy about project management go down more easily.
An essay arguing fiction is underrated for learning about the real world, followed by his opinionated list of financial fiction more people should read.
2024-10-07·bitsaboutmoney.com ↗
Money StuffOther Matt Levine
For much more on that side of things, you should read Money Stuff or listen to Odd Lots, which cover “private credit is the new bank lending” all the time.
An essay on how modern loan origination works, pointing readers elsewhere for coverage of private credit.
2025-10-10·bitsaboutmoney.com ↗
Odd LotsPodcast Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway
For much more on that side of things, you should read Money Stuff or listen to Odd Lots, which cover “private credit is the new bank lending” all the time.
An essay on how modern loan origination works, pointing readers elsewhere for coverage of private credit.
2025-10-10·bitsaboutmoney.com ↗
The Big ShortBook Michael Lewis
the Big Short is a dramatization of a gang of outsiders (and insiders who are presented as outsiders for narrative convenience, a theme Lewis will return to frequently, not always with self-awareness) who correctly predict the mechanism and course of the global financial crisis.
An essay arguing fiction is underrated for learning about the real world, followed by his opinionated list of financial fiction more people should read.
2024-10-07·bitsaboutmoney.com ↗
Margin CallOther J.C. Chandor
What it is stellar at—almost unmatched in fiction—is depicting archetypes that are both dramatically compelling and reasonably true to those working at various levels in the industry.
An essay arguing fiction is underrated for learning about the real world, followed by his opinionated list of financial fiction more people should read. Margin Call is a 2011 film about an investment bank during the financial crisis.
2024-10-07·bitsaboutmoney.com ↗
Shylock's ChildrenOther
This is a pity, and if you can find it, it is very worth your time.
An essay arguing fiction is underrated for learning about the real world, followed by his opinionated list of financial fiction more people should read. A bonus entry on a Japanese film about fraud at a Tokyo bank branch, which he notes is hard to find on streaming.
2024-10-07·bitsaboutmoney.com ↗
Complex SystemsPodcast Patrick McKenzie
do check out Complex Systems if you haven't already. It is in your podcast-delivery-vehicle of choice or at the website
An essay arguing fiction is underrated for learning about the real world, followed by his opinionated list of financial fiction more people should read. Complex Systems is his own podcast.
2024-10-07·bitsaboutmoney.com ↗
The Social NetworkOther David Fincher
The Social Network is substantially made up, more a source for vibes rather than a source for facts. Even the vibes fail to cohere with reality. And yet it convinced many proto-founders to put in YC applications.
An essay arguing fiction is underrated for learning about the real world, followed by his opinionated list of financial fiction more people should read.
2024-10-07·bitsaboutmoney.com ↗
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