It's always good to have a recommendation for a book, podcast or film. If you are interested in money and finance, there is some great non-fiction out there, as well as some cracking entertainment. Not surprisingly, our team have some great picks!
Adam Parkinson suggests, 'How an Economy Grows and Why It Crashes' by Peter Schiff. A great introduction for an investing novice. For a deeper insight, considered to be one of the bibles of investing, read Benjamin Graham's 'The Intelligent Investor'. It was written in 1949 but is still relevant today.
For some great entertainment, but also some insight into the crash of 2008 Ali Brown and Ali Owen both recommended 'The Big Short', (YouTube trailer). Rotten Tomatoes gives it a great review, "The Big Short approaches a serious, complicated subject with an impressive attention to detail and manages to deliver a well-acted, scathingly funny indictment of its real-life villains into the bargain". It is currently available to watch on Netflix.
Ruth Power, who loves all things history, liked a book that focuses on the history of tax, including the infamous window tax giving birth to the well-used phrase. 'Daylight Robbery: How Tax Shaped Our Past and Will Change Our Future' by Dominic Frisby is interesting and witty as well as an easy read.
For a rip-roaring, high octane, over the top drama, you can't beat 'Billions'. Set primarily in New York and Connecticut, the series depicts hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) as he accumulates wealth and power in the world of high finance. Axelrod's aggressive tactics frequently garner the attention of United States Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti). Patrick Billington thoroughly enjoyed this series which is pure escapism. It's still available on Amazon Prime. For something closer to home Ruth enjoyed similar TV series, 'Industry' (on iPlayer) which is set in the City of London, but it's not for the faint hearted!
There are so many podcasts now on the topic of finance you could never follow them all! Graham particularly enjoys 'Merryn Talks Money' with Merryn Somerset Webb, former editor of Moneyweek. He also recommends 'Money Clinic' with Claer Barret from the Financial Times for a really simple take on investing. These are available on the usual platforms such as Spotify.
Happy watching, listening and reading!