Bethany McLean

Bethany McLean is an American journalist and contributing editor at Vanity Fair, widely recognized for her investigative reporting on corporate fraud and financial crises. Her groundbreaking work includes early coverage of the Enron scandal and comprehensive analysis of the 2008 financial crisis. After beginning her career as an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs, McLean transitioned to journalism and gained prominence at Fortune magazine. Her March 2001 article "Is Enron Overpriced?" was one of the first pieces to question the company's business practices, leading to her co-authored book "The Smartest Guys in the Room," which was later adapted into an Academy Award-nominated documentary. McLean has authored several influential books including "All the Devils Are Here" (with Joe Nocera) about the 2008 financial crisis and "Shaky Ground" examining Fannie Mae's role in the housing market. Her work consistently demonstrates deep financial expertise combined with accessible explanations of complex corporate issues. Since joining Vanity Fair in 2008, McLean has continued producing impactful business journalism while also contributing to Slate and other major publications. She holds a B.A. in English and mathematics from Williams College, and her background in both finance and journalism has established her as a leading voice in business investigative reporting.

Readers appreciate McLean's investigative depth and ability to explain complex financial topics clearly. Her work on Enron (The Smartest Guys in the Room) stands out for detailed research and engaging narrative style. Multiple reviewers note her talent for making corporate fraud cases readable for non-finance audiences. Common critiques include occasional dense passages with too many numbers and financial terms. Some readers found her 2015 book Shackling Partners lacking the same narrative drive as her earlier works. A few reviews mention wanting more personal details about key figures. Ratings across platforms: - The Smartest Guys in the Room: 4.2/5 (Goodreads, 31K ratings), 4.6/5 (Amazon, 1.2K ratings) - All the Devils Are Here: 4.1/5 (Goodreads, 8K ratings) - Saudi America: 3.8/5 (Goodreads, 1.2K ratings) "She turns complex scandals into page-turners" - Amazon reviewer "Sometimes gets lost in the weeds of financial minutiae" - Goodreads reviewer

The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron (2003) A detailed investigation into the collapse of Enron Corporation, examining the company's fraudulent practices, corporate culture, and the key figures involved in its downfall.

All the Devils Are Here: The Hidden History of the Financial Crisis (2010) An analysis of the 2008 financial crisis that traces its origins through the major institutions, regulatory decisions, and market forces that contributed to the economic collapse.

Shaky Ground: The Strange Saga of the U.S. Mortgage Giants (2015) An examination of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's role in the U.S. housing market and their impact on the American economy following the 2008 financial crisis.

Saudi America: The Truth About Fracking and How It's Changing the World (2018) An investigation into the U.S. fracking industry, its economic implications, and its effects on global energy markets.

Short-Changed (2023) An exploration of the rise of short sellers in financial markets and their role in exposing corporate fraud and market manipulation.

Michael Lewis His investigative work on Wall Street and financial markets, including "The Big Short" and "Flash Boys," reveals systemic problems through detailed reporting and character-driven narratives. His background as a former bond trader gives him insider perspective similar to McLean's Goldman Sachs experience.

Andrew Ross Sorkin As the author of "Too Big to Fail" and co-creator of Showtime's "Billions," he specializes in exposing power dynamics in financial institutions. His network of Wall Street sources and focus on corporate drama mirrors McLean's approach to financial storytelling.

Charles Duhigg Through books like "The Power of Habit" and "Smarter Faster Better," he uncovers patterns in corporate behavior and business systems. His work combines deep research with clear explanations of complex business concepts, similar to McLean's style.

Gretchen Morgenson Her coverage of Wall Street for The New York Times and investigations into financial misconduct earned her a Pulitzer Prize. Her book "Reckless Endangerment" examines the mortgage crisis with the same detail-oriented approach McLean uses.

Roger Lowenstein His books "When Genius Failed" and "Origins of the Crash" document financial disasters through extensive research and insider accounts. His focus on market failures and corporate collapses aligns with McLean's investigations into business scandals.