Confidence Men

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The hidden history of Wall Street and the White House revolves around a single, powerful American concept: confidence. Both institutions learned to manufacture it until August 2007, when that confidence began to crumble. In this gripping narrative, Ron Suskind recounts the events that followed, highlighting Wall Street's struggle for survival as Barack Obama, a newcomer with little experience, rose to prominence with a message of “a new era of responsibility.” This account offers a comprehensive portrait of Obama's tumultuous presidency, revealing how Wall Street's departure from principles of transparency and accountability led to immense profits, while Obama sought to reverse that trend amidst a collapsing economy during an election year. As he stood in Grant Park, Obama faced the daunting task of commanding Washington, taming New York, and managing the economy. He surrounded himself with seasoned advisors like Rahm Emanuel and Larry Summers, but as crises deepened, his team often disregarded his decisions to protect him. Conflicts between policy and politics dominated, resulting in an administration grappling with control. Suskind introduces readers to a diverse cast, from finance titans to reformers, and provides insights into the tensions between New York and Washington, ultimately shaping America’s future.