Questions About Stress Test: Reflections on Financial Crises

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Stress Test, please sign up.

Answered Questions (3)

Do you find yourself overwhelmed at times by the detail in this book? I'm a former financial writer and editor and am familiar with the broad outlines of what he's writing about, but the accumulation of detail is a little too much. Should this have been less of a week-by-week memoir and more of a think piece?

Sherlyn Yes, I mostly certainly agree with you. There are also too many characters, which I absolutely cannot keep track of. It is also very technical, althou…moreYes, I mostly certainly agree with you. There are also too many characters, which I absolutely cannot keep track of. It is also very technical, although, he did provide explanations for some. Unfortunately, I do not think this is a book an average man on the street would appreciate.(less)

flag

The Senate was portrayed as very conservative and slow when it comes to rescuing the economy from a potential depression. Is this true or was it because Geithner and the Obama administration didn't get along with the Republicans-controlled Senate?

Jenny Great question.

flag

Should AIG have been saved from bankruptcy?

C Yes, AIG needed to be saved, not as a favor to AIG and its constituents, but to avoid the collapse of the financial system. AIG had many many obligati…moreYes, AIG needed to be saved, not as a favor to AIG and its constituents, but to avoid the collapse of the financial system. AIG had many many obligations to other firms. Had it failed it would have taken other firms with it and spread financial failures throughout the economy. The author likens the crisis to a fire. AIG was like a mansion burning. Unless you douse the fire, "save" the mansion, the fire could spread uncontrollably through the city taking with it other houses and lives.

Please note that even though AIG the company was saved, its shareholders (the owners) were not. They all suffered deep financial losses. In addition the rescue of AIG instead of costing taxpayers' money actually returned a profit to the federal Treasury.(less)

flag

Unanswered Questions

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more