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Pyramid of Lies

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What to expect

An epic true story of ambition, greed and hubris that nearly brought down the British government.

'The British version of Bad Blood . . . [but] better' – The Sunday Times

'Terrific' – The Observer, Book of the Week

In March 2021, an obscure financial technology company called Greensill Capital collapsed, going into administration. As it unravelled, a multibillion-dollar scandal emerged that would shake the very foundations of the British political system, drawing in swiss bankers, global CEOs, and world leaders, including former British Prime Minister, David Cameron. At the centre was an Australian financier named Lex Greensill.

Pyramid of Lies charts the meteoric rise and spectacular downfall of Greensill and his company. He had a simple idea – democratising supply chain finance – and disrupted a trillion dollar industry in the process. 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 has reported on the scandal for over three years, tells the incredible story of how a former sugar-cane farmer would go on to put tens of thousands of jobs at risk and gain unfettered access to the inner workings of the British government. 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

Critics Review

Unputdownably delicious . . . the British version of Bad Blood . . . [but] better
The Sunday Times
Terrific . . . shows the emptiness behind the bombast
Nick Cohen, The Observer, Book of the Week
A meticulously researched and enjoyably lively account
The 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 story-teller and a brilliant sleuth
Matthew d’Ancona, 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 Greensill’s 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 the Greensill Capital’s 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 Barron’s
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
Powerful
Money Week
Mavin knows how to keep you hooked . . . gripping
Financial World

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