Catastrophe: The Story of Bernard L. Madoff, the Man Who Swindled the World

by Gerald Strober, Deborah Hart Strober, Connor Trinneer

In the first comprehensive account of this financial mastermind's epic Ponzi scheme, Catastrophe exposes the real story behind Madoff's upstanding façade–his confession, his family's involvement, and his unlikely rise and incredible crash. With first-hand victim accounts detailing the personal and business effects of the disastrous crime, the book peels back Madoff's persona layer by layer, revealing how he developed his elaborate deceit, and how and why, ironically, he targeted and scammed the world of Jewish philanthropy. Through interviews with Madoff's friends and colleagues, the authors draw a picture of Madoff from his ability to use his easygoing charm and country-club sociability to gain entry into influential circles to his Machiavellian financial acumen capable of building and sustaining a towering fraud. Catastrophe defines and explains the whole debacle–how he seduced and persuaded sophisticated investors, how he eluded SEC watchdogs for years, and how his far-reaching crime has affected the world. Complete with the famous whistle-blower letter to the SEC, a list of victims, SEC filings and more, Catastrophe offers a complete look at the white-collar crime of the century that will leave the reader both astounded and in disbelief. The first complete biography of Bernard Madoff, Catastrophe presents never-before-revealed details about the life and work of this financial mastermind.

Audiobook

First published January 25, 2010

Reviews

[Alberto Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my third Madoff book. It is more a compilation of expert, media and internet quotes than an investigative narrative. To me, "No One Would Listen: A True Financial Thriller" by Harry Markopolos and "Too Good to Be True: The Rise and Fall of Bernie Madoff" by Erin Arvedlund are much better books.

[T · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure the main advantage this book had was that it was published very soon after Bernie Madoff's arrest. He is still under house arrest at the end of the book. The authors, husband and wife team Gerald & Deborah Strober, capture what was known at the time and provides many anecdotes about victims, including, appallingly, Madoff's sister.

I know very little about the details of the events that played out along with the trial, so it was a good starting point for me and has interested me enough to read more.

[Arthur Salyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I expected. More of a lengthy but incomplete listing of all the folks hurt by Madoff...not much more than that. A bit boring at least to me

[Suraj Kamath · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does not give a lot of insight on how Madoff swindled the world . But emphasis is on from inputs from various people and communities who got cheated.