Duff McDonald

Duff McDonald is a Canadian American business journalist and author known for his in-depth examinations of major financial institutions and business education. His work has garnered significant attention for its critical analysis of powerful organizations and figures in the business world. After beginning his career at Goldman Sachs, McDonald established himself as a prominent business writer with works including "Last Man Standing," a biography of JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, and "The Firm," an investigative look into consulting giant McKinsey & Company. His writing has appeared in publications including The New York Times, Fortune, The New Yorker, and Vanity Fair. McDonald's 2017 book "The Golden Passport" delivered a pointed critique of Harvard Business School and its influence on American capitalism. The work examined the institution's role in shaping business education and corporate leadership while questioning its impact on broader society. His contributions to business journalism have been recognized with multiple awards, including Canadian National Magazine Awards for Best Business Story and Best Investigative Reporting for his piece "Conrad's Fall."

Readers praise McDonald's investigative depth and ability to make complex business topics accessible. His books receive credit for exposing previously unreported details about major institutions, particularly in "The Firm" about McKinsey & Company. Common positive feedback: - Clear explanations of complicated financial concepts - Strong research and insider access to sources - Balance between narrative storytelling and factual reporting Common criticisms: - Some readers find the level of detail overwhelming - Books can become repetitive in later chapters - Writing style occasionally shifts between journalistic and casual tones Average ratings: "The Firm" - 3.8/5 on Goodreads (2,800+ ratings), 4.2/5 on Amazon (280+ ratings) "Last Man Standing" - 3.9/5 on Goodreads (1,100+ ratings) "The Golden Passport" - 3.7/5 on Goodreads (460+ ratings) One reader noted: "McDonald excels at untangling complex corporate histories without losing sight of the human elements." Another commented: "Sometimes gets bogged down in minutiae, but the core reporting is excellent."

The Golden Passport (2017) A historical examination of Harvard Business School's influence on American capitalism and corporate culture since its founding in 1908.

The Firm: The Story of McKinsey and Its Secret Influence on American Business (2013) A detailed account of McKinsey & Company's rise to become one of the world's most influential consulting firms.

Last Man Standing: The Ascent of Jamie Dimon and JPMorgan Chase (2009) A biography tracking Jamie Dimon's career path and his leadership of JPMorgan Chase through the 2008 financial crisis.

The CEO: How Joe Ricketts Built TD Ameritrade from the Ground Up (2019) A chronicle of how Joe Ricketts transformed a small Omaha investment company into the major financial institution TD Ameritrade.

Tickled: A Commonsense Guide to the Present Moment (2023) An exploration of mindfulness and presence, examining how these concepts relate to modern life and personal wellbeing.

Roger Lowenstein He specializes in financial journalism and detailed accounts of Wall Street institutions, including works on Warren Buffett and the collapse of Long-Term Capital Management. His investigative approach and focus on major financial figures parallels McDonald's examination of business leaders and institutions.

Bethany McLean She gained prominence through her investigative reporting that helped expose the Enron scandal and continues to write about corporate misconduct and financial markets. Her work shares McDonald's critical examination of powerful business institutions and their impact on society.

William D. Cohan A former investment banker turned journalist, he writes extensively about Wall Street culture and major financial institutions. His books on firms like Goldman Sachs and Lazard Frères mirror McDonald's detailed institutional analyses.

Michael Lewis He transforms complex financial topics into compelling narratives about Wall Street culture and systemic issues in finance. His insider perspective and focus on institutional dysfunction align with McDonald's approach to examining business organizations.

Andrew Ross Sorkin He covers the intersection of business, policy, and power through his reporting on major financial events and corporate leaders. His work examining financial crises and corporate dealmaking shares McDonald's focus on influential business figures and institutions.