Making It Happen

Making It Happen chronicles the rise and fall of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), focusing on the period between 2000-2009. The narrative centers on CEO Fred Goodwin's leadership and the bank's transformation from a regional Scottish institution into a global banking giant. The book reconstructs key events and decisions through interviews with bank executives, regulators, and government officials who were directly involved. Martin examines the internal culture at RBS and the broader context of Britain's banking sector during the financial crisis. The account details the specific transactions, acquisitions, and management choices that culminated in the largest bank bailout in global history. The author draws on his experience as a financial journalist to explain complex banking concepts and corporate maneuvers in clear terms. The book serves as both a cautionary tale about unchecked corporate ambition and an examination of how organizational culture can drive institutional failure. Its insights into leadership, risk management, and regulatory oversight remain relevant to understanding modern financial institutions.

Readers found this account of RBS's collapse under Fred Goodwin to be detailed and readable. Many noted Martin's ability to explain complex financial concepts through clear storytelling. Liked: - Thorough research and interviews with key players - Balance between technical detail and narrative flow - Clear breakdown of how hubris and poor decisions led to failure - Strong portrayal of personalities and corporate culture Disliked: - Some felt early chapters moved slowly - A few readers wanted more analysis of government/regulatory failures - Limited coverage of impacts on regular bank employees Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (224 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.4/5 (121 reviews) Amazon US: 4.2/5 (47 reviews) Sample review: "Martin expertly shows how RBS's leadership ignored warnings and basic risk management in pursuit of growth. The level of detail brings home just how preventable this disaster was." - Goodreads reviewer

Too Big to Fail by Andrew Ross Sorkin This detailed account of the 2008 financial crisis follows key Wall Street and government figures through the collapse of Lehman Brothers and its aftermath.

The Bank That Lived a Little by Philip Augar This chronicle tracks Barclays Bank through the financial crisis and subsequent scandals, revealing the internal decisions and power struggles that shaped its fate.

When the Money Runs Out by Stephen D. King The book examines the economic challenges faced by Western economies following the financial crisis and their implications for future growth and stability.

Other People's Money by John Kay This examination of the banking sector explains how the financial system moved from serving business to serving itself, leading to institutional failures.

House of Debt by Amir Sufi The authors present data-driven analysis of how household debt and the housing crisis precipitated the Great Recession and subsequent economic challenges.

🏦 RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) became briefly the largest bank in the world during its peak before the 2008 crisis, with assets of £2.7 trillion—larger than the UK's entire GDP. 📈 Author Iain Martin accessed over 80 hours of interviews and internal documents to reveal how CEO Fred Goodwin's aggressive leadership style earned him the nickname "Fred the Shred." 💷 The UK government's bailout of RBS cost British taxpayers £45.5 billion, making it the most expensive bank rescue in history. 🌐 The book details how RBS's catastrophic purchase of Dutch bank ABN AMRO in 2007 for £49 billion—largely funded by debt—proved to be the final nail in the bank's coffin. 🎯 Before writing this book, Iain Martin served as editor of The Scotsman newspaper and worked as a senior political commentator for The Daily Telegraph, giving him unique insight into Scottish banking and politics.