No Tears : Tales from the Square Mile

by David Charters

Behind the City of London's facade of sharp suits, fast cars and lavish expense accounts lies a world of cruel deception, savage double-dealing and rampaging egos. For ten years David Charters lived the life. Now he lifts the lid on what really goes on in the Square Mile.

Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hopeful financial gain aside, I am sometimes left wondering in the author's chief motive for producing work with a strong moralist theme. Most of these tales from the Square Mile, with the author's own forewarning, see the sudden, and often brutal, comeuppance of a greedy, immoral merchant banker. I was also reminded of Jeffrey Archer's short story collection 'A Twist in the Tale' that equally instilled in the reader a complete mistrust of the depicted situation until the paradigm changing veil was swiftly lifted.

Overall, the collection is easy to read with mostly 2-star 'huh?' stories, a handfull of Ok 3's and a couple of funny, memorable 4's (never give an acceptance speech while drunk to Japanese businessmen). I just hope the author left his City job on amicable terms with his colleagues.

[Alexianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of different incidents that the author writes about to portray the fast crude life of trading in the City. At times hilarious, others quite shocking to see the crave for power, status and money. Of course, one also has to say that this was written at the times of the big boom and where the thought of an economic meltdown was nowhere close.

[Henry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't....

[Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it this little collection of short stories, but it wasn't even close to being the book that Liar's Poker is :-).