Pyramid of Lies: The Prime Minister, the Banker and the Billion-Pound Scandal

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An epic true story of ambition, greed and hubris - the collapse of Greensill Capital is a billion pound scandal that shredded the reputation of a British Prime Minister. 'The British version of Bad Blood . . . [but] better' - The Sunday Times 'Terrific' - The Observer, Book of the Week Pyramid of Lies charts the meteoric rise and spectacular downfall of Lex Greensill and his company. He had a simple idea that disrupted a trillion dollar industry and drew in Swiss bankers, global CEOs, and world leaders, including former British Prime Minister, David Cameron. But a staid business model concealed dubious practices, as Greensill made increasingly risky loans to fraudulent companies using other people's money. Financial journalist Duncan Mavin, who helped expose Greensill, tells the incredible story of how a former sugar-cane farmer became one of the world's richest men before falling back to earth. With a globe-circling narrative full of scandal and intrigue, Pyramid of Lies reveals how the grubby world of shadow banking really operates. 'Forensic and riveting' - The New Statesman 'Meticulously researched' - The Daily Telegraph

Reviews

Unputdownably delicious . . . the British version of Bad Blood . . . [but] better * Sunday Times *
Terrific . . . shows the emptiness behind the bombast -- Nick Cohen, Observer, Book of the Week
A meticulously researched and enjoyably lively account * Daily Telegraph *
Forensic and riveting * The New Statesman *
An incredible book, transforming a complex financial scandal into a rich character drama -- Bradley Hope, co-author of New York Times bestseller Billion Dollar Whale
Quite simply one of the best books of investigative journalism I have ever read. Duncan Mavin is a natural storyteller and a brilliant sleuth -- Matthew dAncona, author of Post-Truth
Leaves little doubt that much is indeed wrong in the excessively close relationship between some financiers and politicians . . . [who] stood to gain millions of pounds -- Simon Clark, author of The Key Man
Mavin expertly demystifies the rise and fall of Greensill Capital and weaves an intriguing tale at the cross section of sleaze, power and greed at the heart of UK politics and global finance. A fascinating and prescient read -- Karl Holbrook, Executive Editor, Daily Express
The extraordinary story of Greensills rise and collapse is a microcosm of global finance in the last decade . . . a keen eye for the colourful and at times absurd human drama -- Peter Thal Larsen, EMEA Editor Reuters Breakingviews
The definitive account of Greensill Capitals rise and spectacular meltdown . . . and a searing inquisition into the political connections that make it all possible -- Mary Childs, cohost of NPR's Planet Money and author of The Bond King
A classic cautionary tale, as fun to read as it is disturbing. Meticulously reported and brilliantly narrated -- Katherine Bell, formerly Editor in Chief, Quartz and Barrons
Mavin expertly unfolds a searing, unflinching, incisive, and definitively reported narrative on one of the great financial scandals of our time and the wreckage left in its wake . . . a must-read cautionary tale -- Sean Silcoff, co-author, Losing the Signal: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of BlackBerry
A keen eye for the colourful and at times absurd human drama * Reuters *

Author Bio

Duncan Mavin is a seasoned international financial journalist, and started his career as a chartered accountant in the City and in Toronto. He has been a reporter and editor for Dow Jones publications including The Wall Street Journal and was the Journal's Financial Editor for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He has also been Managing Editor for Barron's Group and a reporter for Canada's National Post. He lives with his family in the UK, and is a long-suffering fan of Sunderland football club. Pyramid of Lies is his first book.