William D. Cohan

William D. Cohan is an American business writer and former Wall Street banker known for his in-depth examinations of financial institutions and corporate culture. His work has established him as a leading voice in financial journalism, with particular expertise in investigating Wall Street's inner workings and major financial crises. After a seventeen-year career in investment banking at Lazard Frères and other firms, Cohan transitioned to journalism and authorship. His first book, "The Last Tycoons: The Secret History of Lazard Frères & Co." won the 2007 Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award. Cohan has written several other notable works including "House of Cards" about the collapse of Bear Stearns, "Money and Power" examining Goldman Sachs, and "The Price of Silence" investigating the Duke lacrosse scandal. His articles regularly appear in publications such as The New York Times, Financial Times, and Vanity Fair. A graduate of Duke University, Columbia School of Journalism, and Columbia Business School, Cohan brings both academic credentials and practical Wall Street experience to his analysis of financial markets and institutions. His work consistently provides detailed accounts of significant events in modern financial history.

Readers praise Cohan's deep research and insider perspective on Wall Street, particularly in "House of Cards" and "The Last Tycoons." Many note his ability to make complex financial concepts understandable while maintaining narrative tension. Readers highlight: - Detailed sourcing and interviews - Clear explanations of financial deals - Characters that feel real and three-dimensional Common criticisms: - Books can be too long and detailed - Sometimes gets bogged down in technical minutiae - Recent works seen as less rigorous than earlier finance books Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: "House of Cards" - 3.9/5 (7,800+ ratings) "The Last Tycoons" - 3.8/5 (2,100+ ratings) "The Price of Silence" - 3.7/5 (500+ ratings) Amazon: "House of Cards" - 4.3/5 "The Last Tycoons" - 4.2/5 One reader noted: "Cohan excels at showing how personality and ego drive major financial decisions, not just numbers and data."

The Last Tycoons: The Secret History of Lazard Frères & Co. (2007) A detailed history of the prestigious investment bank Lazard Frères, documenting its rise to power and the complex personalities who shaped the firm over generations.

House of Cards: A Tale of Hubris and Wretched Excess on Wall Street (2009) Chronicles the collapse of Bear Stearns during the 2008 financial crisis, based on extensive interviews with employees and executives.

Money and Power: How Goldman Sachs Came to Rule the World (2011) Examines the history, culture, and business practices of Goldman Sachs from its founding through the 2008 financial crisis.

The Price of Silence: The Duke Lacrosse Scandal, the Power of the Elite, and the Corruption of Our Great Universities (2014) Documents the 2006 Duke lacrosse case, exploring its legal, social, and institutional implications for American higher education.

Michael Lewis combines Wall Street insider knowledge with investigative reporting, having worked as a bond trader before writing "Liar's Poker" and "The Big Short". His focus on financial markets and institutional dysfunction parallels Cohan's approach to exposing Wall Street culture.

Andrew Ross Sorkin delivers detailed accounts of major financial events and personalities through his coverage of Wall Street for The New York Times and books like "Too Big to Fail". His access to key financial figures and documentation of crisis moments matches Cohan's methodical investigation style.

Bethany McLean gained prominence exposing the Enron scandal and continued examining financial misconduct in works like "All the Devils Are Here". Her background as a former Goldman Sachs analyst informs her technical understanding of complex financial matters.

Roger Lowenstein writes comprehensively about financial markets and institutions, with works like "When Genius Failed" about Long-Term Capital Management. His focus on thorough research and historical context mirrors Cohan's detailed examination of financial institutions.

Charles D. Ellis brings insider perspective as a former managing partner of Greenwich Associates to his analysis of investment firms and Wall Street culture. His work "The Partnership" about Goldman Sachs demonstrates the same deep institutional knowledge found in Cohan's corporate histories.