Neil Barofsky

Neil Barofsky served as the Special Inspector General of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP) from 2008 to 2011, overseeing the $700 billion bank bailout program implemented during the financial crisis. Prior to this role, he worked as a federal prosecutor in the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. Barofsky gained prominence through his book "Bailout: An Inside Account of How Washington Abandoned Main Street While Rescuing Wall Street" (2012), which provided a critical examination of the government's handling of the financial crisis. The book detailed his observations of regulatory capture and the close relationships between Wall Street and government officials. As an academic, Barofsky has served as a Senior Fellow at New York University School of Law and frequently appears as a commentator on financial regulation and government oversight. His work focuses on financial crime, regulatory reform, and government accountability. His criticism of both the Bush and Obama administrations' approaches to the financial crisis established him as a notable voice in discussions of financial regulation and reform. Barofsky continues to write and speak about financial policy, government oversight, and Wall Street reform.

Readers value Barofsky's insider perspective and detailed documentation of the 2008-2009 financial crisis response. Many cite his clear explanation of complex financial concepts and direct criticism of both political parties' handling of TARP. What readers liked: - Clear breakdown of technical banking concepts - Documentation backed by specific examples - Non-partisan criticism of government decisions - Personal anecdotes about confrontations with Treasury officials What readers disliked: - Some found the level of detail overwhelming - A few readers questioned his motives for criticism - Some wanted more proposed solutions rather than just problems Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (280+ ratings) Reader quote: "Barofsky provides a rare honest look at how Washington really works - or doesn't work - when dealing with Wall Street." - Amazon reviewer The book resonated particularly with readers interested in government oversight and financial regulation, though some general readers found the technical portions challenging.

Bailout: An Inside Account of How Washington Abandoned Main Street While Rescuing Wall Street (2012) First-hand account from the former Special Inspector General of TARP detailing the implementation and oversight of the 2008 financial crisis bailout program.

Big Dirty Money: Making White Collar Criminals Pay (2020) Analysis of white-collar crime in America, examining systemic issues in prosecution and enforcement, based on the author's experience as a federal prosecutor and oversight official.

Michael Lewis writes investigative non-fiction about finance and economics, including accounts of the 2008 financial crisis in "The Big Short." His work combines detailed reporting of complex financial topics with narrative storytelling focused on key personalities involved.

Sheelah Kolhatkar covers white collar crime and financial regulation through long-form journalism and books like "Black Edge" about insider trading. She provides behind-the-scenes accounts of investigations and prosecutions in the financial industry based on extensive source access.

Matt Taibbi reports on connections between Wall Street and government through books like "Griftopia" and "The Divide." His coverage examines regulatory capture and the relationships between financial institutions and policy makers.

Andrew Ross Sorkin documents major financial events and personalities through books like "Too Big to Fail" about the 2008 crisis. His writing draws on his access to key decision makers in finance and government to reconstruct critical moments in economic history.

Frank Partnoy writes about financial fraud and regulation based on his experience as a derivatives trader turned law professor. His books like "F.I.A.S.C.O." and "Infectious Greed" explain complex financial schemes and regulatory failures through insider perspectives.