amateur hour
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None of the stories ring true, the characters are clumsy caricatures of the tabloid journalist's "city fat cat" or "wide boy trader" and the punchlines can be seen a mile off. Nobody who really worked in a front office environment for any length of time should be reduced to writing such dross - the reality is that traders are interesting people, sometimes crass, sometimes sophisticated, who work in a unique environment which brings out some extremes of human behaviour. The worst crime of any writer is to make his subject matter less entertaining that it is in actuality, and of this, Charters is guilty. Skip this and read the classics of the genre, Liar's Poker, Ugly Americans etc.
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Shocking
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I don't know why I was so shocked at the end of each story, but without exception each tale had a fantastic ending where you'd think "jeezz". Very well written in an entertaining and engaging way. I'd certinely read more from this author.
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Compelling, Realistic, Entertaining and Instructive - A MUST For Anyone in the City!!!
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I agree with one of the reviewers that this book should be handed out to those who start in the City as a guide to the rules of the game. Sadly most of us learn though our own mistakes unless we are lucky to grow up in a family with long tradition in finance or to have a mentor like David Charters. But his books could be surrogate mentors. So many subtle and not so subtle moments that only the author with such a brillian mind, wealth of senior management experience and talent for observation could relay. After reading his second book, I am convienced he is a genius. Can't recommend enough - a collection of short stories of everyday situations points that realistically and sadly can be more crucial and important in once's career long-term than actual performance. Do ignors all the negative reviews - those people were just in bad mood or are negative and cinical know-it-all types in general - they aren't fair!
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Great City classic
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No Tears is almost required reading in the City now and should be given to everyone starting work at a big bank on their first day! It's delightfully dark and humorous at the same time, and the stories are all very different, though the underlying themes of greed and selfishness are the same. I'm guessing that a few people think they've recognised themselves and are not too happy, which makes it all the more amusing, and might account for some of the reviews - very entertaining.
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Execrable
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You will be crying real tears if you waste your money on this witless, cliche ridden, empty, characterless book.
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