1929
Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History--and How It Shattered a Nation
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4.5 • 443 Ratings
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- $18.99
Publisher Description
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“It is one of the best narrative histories I’ve read.”
—The Wall Street Journal
A New York Times Notable Book of 2025 • One of Barack Obama's Favorite Books of 2025 • Named a BEST BOOK OF 2025 by The Washington Post, TIME, The Economist, Air Mail, Bloomberg, Fast Company, Katie Couric Media, and History
From the bestselling author of Too Big to Fail, “the definitive history of the 2008 banking crisis,” (The Atlantic) comes a riveting narrative of the most infamous stock market crash in history—one with ripple effects that still shape our society today.
In 1929, the world watched in shock as the unstoppable Wall Street bull market went into a freefall, wiping out fortunes and igniting a depression that would reshape a generation. But behind the flashing ticker tapes and panicked traders, another drama unfolded—one of visionaries and fraudsters, titans and dreamers, euphoria and ruin.
With unparalleled access to historical records and newly uncovered documents, New York Times bestselling author Andrew Ross Sorkin takes readers inside the chaos of the crash, behind the scenes of a raging battle between Wall Street and Washington and the larger-than-life characters whose ambition and naïveté in an endless boom led to disaster. The dizzying highs and brutal lows of this era eerily mirror today’s world—where markets soar, political tensions mount, and the fight over financial influence plays out once again.
This is not just a story about money. 1929 is a tale of power, psychology, and the seductive illusion that this time is different. It’s about disregarded alarm bells, financiers who fell from grace, and skeptics who saw the crash coming—only to be dismissed until it was too late.
Hailed as a landmark book, Too Big to Fail reimagined how financial crises are told. Now, with 1929, Sorkin delivers an immersive, electrifying account of the most pivotal market collapse of all time—with lessons that remain as urgent as ever. More than just a history, 1929 is a crucial blueprint for understanding the cycles of speculation, the forces that drive financial upheaval, and the warning signs we ignore at our peril.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
With his lens pulled wide, financial journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin explores the causes and effects of one of the worst financial crises in U.S. history—the stock market crash of 1929. Wading through voluminous records, including minutes from New York’s Federal Reserve meetings, he colors in a picture of the period before and after Wall Street cratered. Stock speculation, a frenzy that ensnared the superrich and commoners alike, garners particular attention. In a tragic but fascinating turn, the most powerful men of the time, including President Herbert Hoover, largely misread the situation as it went from bad to worse. Writing in narrative form, Sorkin lets the drama of the era’s politicians and captains of industry play out in captivating fashion. Under his microscope, the folly of the rich pressing their luck looks even worse with the perspective of time. The cautionary tale of 1929 remains unnervingly relevant to subsequent generations.
Customer Reviews
Important read, not as gripping as Too Big
This is probably unfair bc I worked for a major financial institution during the 2008 financial crisis (that was featured in the book) and it felt more like reliving an exhilarating time, but I do not find this read as much of a page turner. Still, incredibly informative and entertaining. There were aspects that felt like they were thrown in to spice it up (Churchill, for example). Still, very well written and had me questioning my investment strategy the whole time. This one reads more like a history book than a tabloid (no offense meant in either case) but still impressive. Can only imagine the extensive research. Well done.
An entertaining read, but conclusions fall flat
A thorough walk through the era that paints a vivid picture of the time with well researched, detailed portraits of previously unknown yet key players in the financial world. Yet in the end the individual portraits alone fail to convincingly tie loose ends together in a way that convincingly argues what triggered the Great Depression. A decent read but nowhere near the importance of Too Big to Fail.
Enjoyable Read
Finished this tome in 2.5 days. Page turner. Feels particularly relevant at this time and in this market. Feels more like a story on human nature, conflicts of interest and how pursuit of wealth shapes people’s beliefs and actions.