Other People's Money

Other People's Money is a play about the hostile takeover of a family-owned business in Rhode Island. The story centers on Lawrence Garfinkle, a corporate raider from Wall Street who targets New England Wire & Cable, and Andrew Jorgenson, the company's longtime chairman who fights to maintain control. The drama pits old-school manufacturing values against 1980s Wall Street culture through confrontations between its main characters. The battle extends beyond the boardroom as personal relationships and competing philosophies of American business come into conflict. The plot follows the maneuverings of both sides as they attempt to win shareholder support and public opinion, with each claiming to represent the true interests of the company. Supporting characters must choose sides as the stakes escalate and loyalties are tested. Written in 1989, the play explores themes of tradition versus progress, the human cost of corporate restructuring, and the shifting definition of value in American capitalism. The work raises questions about ethics and responsibility in business that remain relevant to contemporary economic debates.

Readers appreciate the play's sharp dialogue and dark humor in depicting Wall Street greed and corporate takeovers. Many note its relevance even decades after publication, with parallels to modern business ethics and capitalism. Positive reviews highlight: - Fast-paced scenes that maintain tension - Complex characters without clear heroes or villains - Accurate portrayal of 1980s business culture - Educational value for understanding finance Common criticisms: - Some find the dialogue dated - Supporting characters lack depth - Financial terminology can be hard to follow - Third act feels rushed compared to earlier scenes Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) One reader noted: "Captures the essence of leveraged buyouts without getting bogged down in technicalities." Another commented: "The moral ambiguity makes you question your own values about money and success." Critical review: "Characters feel like Wall Street stereotypes rather than real people."

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Den of Thieves by James B. Stewart This investigation into the insider trading scandals of the 1980s follows Wall Street power brokers Michael Milken, Ivan Boesky, and their networks through manipulation schemes and criminal investigations.

Liar's Poker by Michael Lewis The firsthand account of a Salomon Brothers bond trader exposes the culture, personalities, and trading practices that defined Wall Street in the 1980s.

The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe This novel chronicles a Wall Street bond trader's fall from grace through New York's social, political, and financial hierarchies.

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis The story of investment banker Patrick Bateman presents Wall Street's materialism and competitive culture through a dark lens of excess and alienation.

📚 Jerry Sterner wrote "Other People's Money" while working as a real estate executive, drawing from his firsthand experience in the business world. 💰 The play debuted off-Broadway in 1989 and became an instant hit, running for two years and winning the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Play. 🎬 In 1991, the play was adapted into a film starring Danny DeVito and Gregory Peck, with significant changes to make the story more commercially appealing. 📈 The story's antagonist, Larry "The Liquidator" Garfinkle, was partly inspired by real-life corporate raiders of the 1980s like T. Boone Pickens and Carl Icahn. 🎭 Before becoming a playwright, Sterner spent 20 years in the business world and wrote the entire play during his morning commute on the Long Island Rail Road.