The Money Trap: Grand Fortunes and Lost Illusions Inside the Tech Bubble

(Paperback)

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'A riveting page-turner about the world of technology and dealmaking' - Jonathan Safran Foer, author of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close A gripping and entertaining memoir that shines a rare light on the people that are reshaping our world. Veteran Morgan Stanley banker Alok Sama thought he'd seen it all. Then he found himself chief dealmaker at the most influential technology investor in the world: SoftBank, backer of Arm Holdings, Yahoo, Nvidia, TikTok, Uber, T-Mobile, Alibaba and WeWork. The Money Trap is Sama's thrilling, stranger-than-fiction personal odyssey detailing his experiences alongside SoftBank's iconic founder Masayoshi Son - a visionary maverick who wants to be remembered as 'the crazy guy who bet on the future' and whose mission is 'happiness for everyone'. Sama takes the reader on a wild ride as he consorts with billionaire CEOs and heads of state, negotiates mega-deals across the world and contends with a mysterious dark-arts smear campaign that takes a toll on his private life. This fascinating and humorous saga provides a unique insider perspective on an industry that is disrupting our daily lives. Written with self-deprecating wit, unflinching honesty and searing introspection, The Money Trap is ultimately a morality tale: in life, as in technology investing, more money isn't always the answer. 'Sama's witty, incisive and introspective writing is a genuine pleasure to read. This simultaneously funny and eye-opening memoir from a globe-trotting protagonist is a rare window onto a world most only hear about' - Bradley Hope, bestselling co-author of Billion Dollar Whale

Reviews

A riveting page-turner . . . an immigrant's story with something significant to say about class, character, identity, family, and perhaps more than anything, the search for happiness -- JonathanSafranFoer,authorofExtremely Loud, Incredibly Close,Everything Is Illuminated andHere I Am
Alok Samas witty, incisive and introspective writing is a genuine pleasure to read. This simultaneously funny and eye-opening memoir from a globe-trotting protagonist is a rare window onto a world most only hear about -- BradleyHope,New York Timesbestsellingco-authorofBillion Dollar Whale,and PulitzerPrizefinalist
A fascinating story about money, power, and the culture of the rarified group of people who wield it. Told with self-deprecating humor, this is an entertaining and illuminating memoir about what its like to find yourself in the room as some of the biggest deals in history are being made -- HariKunzru,authorofBlue Ruin,White Tears,Red Pill, Transmission,andThe Impressionist
An insider's thrilling tale of dark corporate doings, a great how-to business text, a compendium of fun riffs on modern culture, a flashlight shined on the insanity of high finance . . . Sama writes with authority and panache, humor and outrage, and above all knowledge . . . If this book doesn't become a bestseller, the world truly makes no sense -- DarinStrauss,NationalBookCriticsCircleAwardwinningauthorofHalfaLifeandTheQueenofTuesday
A vivid and intimate story of an insider's rise to power in the world of moneyand his search to find his own peace and freedom -- LeighOwingsNewman,BooksEditor,Oprah.com,authorofNobody Gets Out AliveandStill Points North
A shot of adrenaline that takes you directly inside some of the most secretive rooms in tech and finance . . . a colorful insider's look into the companies that rule our world -- RobCopeland,New York TimesbestsellingauthorofThe Fund

Author Bio

Alok Sama was the former President and Chief Financial Officer of Softbank Group International. While at SoftBank, Alok led the $59bn merger of Sprint and T-Mobile, the $34bn acquisition of ARM Holdings Plc, the $10bn disposition of SoftBank's stake in Alibaba Group Holding, the $8.6bn sale of Supercell Oy to Tencent Holdings, and the restructuring of SoftBank's holding in Yahoo Japan. He is currently pursuing a MFA degree in Creative Writing at New York University. The Money Trap is his first book.