Pyramid of Lies
Lex Greensill and the Billion-Dollar Scandal
Published on 21. July 2022
Book
Hardback
352 pages
978-1-5290-8888-5 (ISBN)
Description
An epic true story of ambition, greed and hubris that nearly brought down the British government.
'The British version of Bad Blood . . . [but] better' - The Sunday Times
'Terrific' - The Observer, Book of the Week
In March 2021, an obscure financial technology company called Greensill Capital collapsed, going into administration. As it unravelled, a multibillion-dollar scandal emerged that would shake the very foundations of the British political system, drawing in swiss bankers, global CEOs, and world leaders, including former British Prime Minister, David Cameron. At the centre was an Australian financier named Lex Greensill.
Pyramid of Lies charts the meteoric rise and spectacular downfall of Greensill and his company. He had a simple idea - democratising supply chain finance - and disrupted a trillion dollar industry in the process. But a staid business model concealed dubious practices as Greensill made increasingly risky loans to fraudulent companies using other people's money.
Financial journalist Duncan Mavin, who has reported on the scandal for over three years, tells the incredible story of how a former sugar-cane farmer would go on to put tens of thousands of jobs at risk and gain unfettered access to the inner workings of the British government. With a globe-circling narrative full of scandal and intrigue, Pyramid of Lies reveals how the grubby world of shadow banking really operates.
'Forensic and riveting' - The New Statesman
'Meticulously researched' - The Daily Telegraph
'The British version of Bad Blood . . . [but] better' - The Sunday Times
'Terrific' - The Observer, Book of the Week
In March 2021, an obscure financial technology company called Greensill Capital collapsed, going into administration. As it unravelled, a multibillion-dollar scandal emerged that would shake the very foundations of the British political system, drawing in swiss bankers, global CEOs, and world leaders, including former British Prime Minister, David Cameron. At the centre was an Australian financier named Lex Greensill.
Pyramid of Lies charts the meteoric rise and spectacular downfall of Greensill and his company. He had a simple idea - democratising supply chain finance - and disrupted a trillion dollar industry in the process. But a staid business model concealed dubious practices as Greensill made increasingly risky loans to fraudulent companies using other people's money.
Financial journalist Duncan Mavin, who has reported on the scandal for over three years, tells the incredible story of how a former sugar-cane farmer would go on to put tens of thousands of jobs at risk and gain unfettered access to the inner workings of the British government. With a globe-circling narrative full of scandal and intrigue, Pyramid of Lies reveals how the grubby world of shadow banking really operates.
'Forensic and riveting' - The New Statesman
'Meticulously researched' - The Daily Telegraph
Reviews / Votes
Unputdownably delicious . . . the British version of Bad Blood . . . [but] better * The Sunday Times * Terrific . . . shows the emptiness behind the bombast -- Nick Cohen, <i>The Observer</i>, Book of the Week A meticulously researched and enjoyably lively account * The Daily Telegraph * Forensic and riveting * The New Statesman * An incredible book, transforming a complex financial scandal into a rich character drama -- Bradley Hope, co-author of <i>New York Times</i> bestseller <i>Billion Dollar Whale</i> Quite simply, one of the best books of investigative journalism I have ever read. Duncan Mavin is a natural story-teller and a brilliant sleuth -- Matthew d'Ancona, author of <i>Post-Truth</i> Leaves little doubt that much is indeed wrong in the excessively close relationship between some financiers and politicians . . . [who] stood to gain millions of pounds -- Simon Clark, author of <i>The Key Man</i> Mavin expertly demystifies the rise and fall of Greensill Capital and weaves an intriguing tale at the cross section of sleaze, power and greed at the heart of UK politics and global finance. A fascinating - and prescient - read -- Karl Holbrook, Executive Editor, <i>Daily Express</i> The extraordinary story of Greensill's rise and collapse is a microcosm of global finance in the last decade . . . a keen eye for the colourful - and at times absurd - human drama -- Peter Thal Larsen, EMEA Editor <i>Reuters Breakingviews</i> The definitive account of the Greensill Capital's rise and spectacular meltdown . . . and a searing inquisition into the political connections that make it all possible -- Mary Childs, cohost of NPR's Planet Money and author of <i>The Bond King</i> A classic cautionary tale, as fun to read as it is disturbing. Meticulously reported and brilliantly narrated -- Katherine Bell, formerly Editor in Chief, <i>Quartz</i> and <i>Barron's</i> Mavin expertly unfolds a searing, unflinching, incisive, and definitively reported narrative on one of the great financial scandals of our time and the wreckage left in its wake . . . a must-read cautionary tale -- Sean Silcoff, co-author, <i>Losing the Signal: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of BlackBerry</i> A keen eye for the colourful and at times absurd human drama * Reuters * Powerful * Money Week * Mavin knows how to keep you hooked . . . gripping * Financial World *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pan Macmillan
Target group
Interest Age: From 18 years
Dimensions
Height: 242 mm
Width: 163 mm
Thickness: 37 mm
Weight
562 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5290-8888-5 (9781529088885)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
07/2022
Macmillan
€18.49
Available for download
Person
Duncan Mavin is a seasoned international financial journalist and started his career as a chartered accountant in the City and in Toronto. He has been a reporter and editor for Dow Jones publications including the Wall Street Journal and was the Journal's Financial Editor for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He has also been Managing Editor for Barron's Group and a reporter for Canada's National Post. He lives with his family in the UK, and is a long-suffering fan of Sunderland football club. The Pyramid of Lies is his first book.