4.5/5 stars. this was full of surprises - i didn't expect to like it this much, and i didn't expect my most memorable quote from an investment banker's memoir to be 'no matter how old you are, your childhood dies with your parents.'

alok sama seamlessly combined his professional journey with personal insights, offering a unique perspective on major global players and key business transactions. he provided a candid look into his immigrant background and family life, both of which adding depth to the narrative. the balance between insider knowledge and personal anecdotes made this an engaging and thought-provoking read.

my only gripe was how the smear campaign was dramatized likely to hook the reader in at the very beginning of the memoir, but was never really touched on in enough detail to explain the opening scene. that aside, this was well written with a sense of humor that made this a fun read, especially given my own background in finance.

An informative look at the life of a high-powered investor and some of the deals that were mad, both for good and for bad. I never knew much about SoftBank besides reading about them in WeWorked.

The Money Trap by Alok Sama is an intriguing dive into the world of finances and technology. I learned some things from this book.

A gripping and entertaining memoir that shines a rare light on an industry that is disrupting our lives.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press & Macmillan Audio for sending me ARCs of this book! I’m sorry that I’m late reviewing this book. I enjoyed this book. This book is about finance and tech and I thought it was going to be dry and boring and it’s not something I know anything about but this book wasn’t dry or boring. This book is nonfiction but it doesn’t read like nonfiction.

"The Money Trap: Lost Illusions Inside the Tech Bubble” by Alok Sama is a captivating and revealing exposé of the less glamorous aspects of the tech industry. With his insider perspective and incisive analysis, Sama dismantles the hype surrounding Silicon Valley, uncovering the precarious realities that lie beneath its glittering surface.

The book skillfully blends detailed financial insights with compelling storytelling, making complex topics both engaging and accessible. Sama's candid reflections on the boom-and-bust cycles provide invaluable lessons for investors and entrepreneurs alike. It's a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the true costs of chasing the next big thing in technology.

Sama's extensive reading is evident in his writing style, which is rich with similes that keep readers engaged throughout.
This work is undoubtedly deserving of Pulitzer recognition.

The evokes the Wild West era of Madison Avenue in the 1960s, better known as the “Golden Age of Advertising”—all the glitter on the surface with the ugliness further at its subsurface. memories. I hadn’t been aware of SoftBank and its $23 billion loss. Was it “visionary” or “fraud”? So eye-opening!

Sama's ability to simplify complex concepts in the business realm, combined with his sense of humor-especially in light of the challenges he faced-makes this book truly unputdownable.

First off, Sama is a fantastic writer. Although I felt like his story was a bit slow for the first ~20% of the book, he writes eloquently. I felt like I didn’t know where the book was really going. Once we got into SoftBank itself and how IB deals work, the story picked up. I think any kid majoring in business should read this book, it’s very eye opening. For those who are just interested in learning more about high finance, this is a real life experience that is easy enough for anyone to understand. I enjoyed his sense of humor throughout (The Big Lebowski references? Fun.)

I don't know much about the details of the cases and brands involved here, other than reading about them, and I don't want to do a hot take when I don't know anything/haven't thought much about the subject matter. However, keeping truth-iness or how much I buy it aside, I absolutely loved this book. It basically read like business gossip - I absolutely loved how lucid the writing is and the excellent narration. I also absolutely loved the bits where the author discusses his friends/colleagues- it was so graceful!

I have a high bar for business memoirs, but I recommend Alok Sama's The Money Trap. Courageously honest, funny, and well written, but, really, just a super interesting read for anyone who has been involved in the startup ecosystem over the past decade and watched the rise and fall of Softbank's Vision Fund.