📖 Overview
Frank Partnoy is a legal scholar, former investment banker, and bestselling author known for his work on financial markets, corporate law, and decision-making. His expertise spans both academic research and practical finance industry experience, having worked as a derivatives trader at Morgan Stanley and CS First Boston.
Partnoy currently serves as the Adrian A. Kragen Professor of Law at UC Berkeley School of Law, where he specializes in financial market regulation and corporate governance. His academic research has been influential in understanding complex financial instruments and market behavior.
His books include "WAIT: The Art and Science of Delay," "The Match King," and "F.I.A.S.C.O.: Blood in the Water on Wall Street." These works have examined topics ranging from financial fraud and market manipulation to the science of decision-making and timing.
Partnoy's writing regularly appears in publications including The New York Times, The Financial Times, and The Atlantic. His analyses of financial crises and market behavior have made him a frequently consulted expert by government agencies and media outlets on matters of financial regulation and reform.
👀 Reviews
Readers value Partnoy's ability to translate complex financial concepts into understandable terms. His insider perspective from Wall Street experience adds credibility to his analysis, particularly in "F.I.A.S.C.O." and "The Match King."
What readers liked:
- Clear explanations of technical financial topics
- Well-researched historical details and examples
- Practical applications of decision-making research in "WAIT"
What readers disliked:
- Some find the pacing slow, especially in "WAIT"
- Technical sections can still be challenging for non-finance readers
- A few readers note repetitive examples
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- WAIT: 3.8/5 (2,100+ ratings)
- F.I.A.S.C.O.: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings)
- The Match King: 3.9/5 (400+ ratings)
Amazon:
- WAIT: 4.2/5 (120+ reviews)
- F.I.A.S.C.O.: 4.1/5 (90+ reviews)
- The Match King: 4.3/5 (45+ reviews)
📚 Books by Frank Partnoy
F.I.A.S.C.O.: Blood in the Water on Wall Street (1997)
An insider's account of derivatives trading at Morgan Stanley in the 1990s, detailing complex financial instruments and trading practices.
Infectious Greed: How Deceit and Risk Corrupted the Financial Markets (2003) A chronicle of financial scandals and market manipulation from the 1980s through the early 2000s.
The Match King: Ivar Kreuger, The Financial Genius Behind a Century of Wall Street Scandals (2009) A biography of 1920s financier Ivar Kreuger and his creation of a global match monopoly that ended in scandal.
Wait: The Art and Science of Delay (2012) An examination of decision-making timing across various fields, from sports to military strategy to financial markets.
America's Bank: The Epic Struggle to Create the Federal Reserve (2015) A historical account of the founding of the Federal Reserve System in the early 20th century.
WAIT: What Science Can Teach Us About Timing Our Choices (2018) An analysis of scientific research on timing and its impact on human decision-making processes.
Infectious Greed: How Deceit and Risk Corrupted the Financial Markets (2003) A chronicle of financial scandals and market manipulation from the 1980s through the early 2000s.
The Match King: Ivar Kreuger, The Financial Genius Behind a Century of Wall Street Scandals (2009) A biography of 1920s financier Ivar Kreuger and his creation of a global match monopoly that ended in scandal.
Wait: The Art and Science of Delay (2012) An examination of decision-making timing across various fields, from sports to military strategy to financial markets.
America's Bank: The Epic Struggle to Create the Federal Reserve (2015) A historical account of the founding of the Federal Reserve System in the early 20th century.
WAIT: What Science Can Teach Us About Timing Our Choices (2018) An analysis of scientific research on timing and its impact on human decision-making processes.
👥 Similar authors
Michael Lewis writes about finance, business scandals, and market psychology through character-driven narratives. His books like "The Big Short" and "Flash Boys" investigate complex financial topics with similar depth to Partnoy's work.
Bethany McLean focuses on investigative reporting of corporate fraud and financial misconduct. Her coverage of the Enron scandal and the 2008 financial crisis mirrors Partnoy's analysis of Wall Street behavior and regulation.
Roger Lowenstein examines financial markets and investment history through detailed research and archival materials. His work on Long-Term Capital Management and Warren Buffett covers similar territory to Partnoy's exploration of derivatives and market risk.
William D. Cohan writes about investment banking culture and Wall Street institutions based on his industry experience. His books on Goldman Sachs and Lazard Frères provide insider perspectives on finance comparable to Partnoy's examination of banking practices.
Sebastian Mallaby analyzes hedge funds, central banking, and financial policy through extensive interviews and documentation. His work on Alan Greenspan and the history of hedge funds addresses regulatory and market themes that align with Partnoy's focus.
Bethany McLean focuses on investigative reporting of corporate fraud and financial misconduct. Her coverage of the Enron scandal and the 2008 financial crisis mirrors Partnoy's analysis of Wall Street behavior and regulation.
Roger Lowenstein examines financial markets and investment history through detailed research and archival materials. His work on Long-Term Capital Management and Warren Buffett covers similar territory to Partnoy's exploration of derivatives and market risk.
William D. Cohan writes about investment banking culture and Wall Street institutions based on his industry experience. His books on Goldman Sachs and Lazard Frères provide insider perspectives on finance comparable to Partnoy's examination of banking practices.
Sebastian Mallaby analyzes hedge funds, central banking, and financial policy through extensive interviews and documentation. His work on Alan Greenspan and the history of hedge funds addresses regulatory and market themes that align with Partnoy's focus.