The cast of characters and their interactions with each other at specific points in time and their connections with each other through time make for a fascinating story. The historical framework provided in the back story with Ed Thorp lays the framework for understanding where young gun hedge fund managers both originated and went astray. However, some of my favorite quotes had nothing to do with the back story and everything to do with the hubris of the belief in certainty (something Kenneth Arrow warned about so poetically). Take for example: " At Deutsche Bank, risk wasn’t fucking managed. Risk was bitch-slapped, risk was tamed and told what to do." (Page 144)- What could possible go wrong? ;) The Quants provided an entertaining and thought provoking glimpse into a fascinating and scary part of Wall Street. I felt like the book's structure unraveled after about half-way, as I found myself reading about the market crashing for something like four or five full chapters. At times I felt that the story progressed much too slowly. The last two pages also read more like an advertisement for Dark Pools than a proper closing.
fascinating. Efficient Market Hypothesis, fat tails, volatility….and lots and lots of money
—Princessa
An interesting look at the leadup to the 2008 meltdown.
—meganhope
The subject is good. Too many poker references.
—paulie
