4.0 out of 5.0 stars
A wild ride on the financial world of the 1970s., June 1, 2010
LT (Maryland, USA)
Having a father who was a stock broker during the 1970s, I knew some of what went on in the financial world, but it was not until I read this book that it really hit home just how corrupt some of it was, and still is! There are lots of details, and none of it is boring at all. Bond Daddy manages to tell the story of the rise and fall of various men, both good and bad. And I learned a lot about the world of bond trading while reading this book. But the book is not just that. It is entertaining, enlightening, and some of the anecdotes will have you rolling in the aisles. The characters ring true and you'll even find yourself rooting for a few of them.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wild ride, May 28, 2010
Hildy Richelson (Blue Bell, PA United States)
Wow, what a ride! A compelling read like Michael Lewis' book Liar's Poker, same industry though not on Wall Street. You won't be able to put this book down even though you know how it will end. You enter a world that you know is real, though you have never seen it. Hard sell boiler rooms have always been with us. Bond Daddy makes you dream of the sweet rewards, while you wonder if you would be hiding under the desk. It is sharply drawn with clearly real people. If you want to know what happens when greed rules your world and money is all that counts, follow Aaron and Jack as they learn how to sell as if their life depended upon it. You will also learn about bonds, bankers, Las Vegas, and the fast life. What guy wouldn't like huge cash commissions, the most expensive cars, the best clothes, and wild parties with the most beautiful young women? This is the world that John Bott and Jason Fowell paint for us in broad beautiful colors, while giving us an insider's view into a boiler room selling bonds. Hildy Richelson and Stan Richelson Bonds: The Unbeaten Path to Secure Investment Growth (Bloomberg)Bonds: The Unbeaten Path to Secure Investment Growth
5.0 out of 5 stars
Holds your interest and very well done.
May 22, 2010
By Mitchell Berg "entrepeneur" (Houston, Texas)
I was a Bond Daddy from 1982 to 1992. I know a lot of the people John Botts does and though he change up some names and wrote this a fiction book. Believe me, the stories are true; not just at his firm but every regional brokerage house in Memphis, Little Rock, Ft Lauderdale, and Houston in those days.
The story is hard to believe if you were not there. But the cold calling, sales management, "bond slamming", income, lifestyle, egos, etc. All 100% true. We were superstars and lived like there was no tomorrow. Played hard and worked hard. John and Jason take the reader for a thrilling ride through a world that they would never experience otherwise in an honest and compelling manner. This is a book everyone will love. Thanks for writing it!!! This was a great trip down memory lane for me! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Reading For All Sales Professionals!
May 15, 2010
By John F. Warkenthien "Jack" (Houston, TX)
Unbelievable read. I picked the book up--and finished it in two sessions, in less than 24 hours--since I couldn't put it down (sleep is so overrated anyway). This is a must "primer" for anyone in sales, as you'll learn everything you need to know: creating a sense of urgency, building relationships, understanding the personalities of your bosses, and the mindset of company owners, when hiring sales professionals. Jack, one of the marquee characters (has to be my friend, the author, John Bott, and my name as well), is really the only "boiler room" sales pro who knows anything about the bonds they're selling, and he was a perfect compliment for Aaron, the better "sales" person of the two. Follow the journey, from the aggressive, unique interview process, to their first sales--and Ferraris--as they make Faustian deals with everyone along the way. A very timely read, with the best from Enron, Wall Street, and other juicy scandals. You'll even learn something about bonds along the way. I don't read much fiction, but this was the best I've read in years. Way to go, John Bott! Can't wait for the sequel. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bond Daddy
May 11, 2010
By William Souza "Bill" (Houston, TX)
Riveting, couldn't put it down!!! Based on real characters and events, truth is almost always more fascinating than fantasy. Never assume your broker acts in your best interests. This is a must read for brokers, traders and of course, the innocent investor. Great script material too! 5.0 out of 5 stars
5.0 out of 5 stars
BOND DADDY Great Read!
April 23, 2010
By tim wettach
Bond Daddy was a great read! Don't have time to read many books, but this one was just the right length and felt worth my while.It even taught me about human nature and sales techniques, both good and bad. It's Heaven, Hell or Houston (courtesy of our own ZZ Top) at its best and the characters "Mean Dean" and "Cadillac Dan" make "Gordon Gecko" (from "Wall Street") look like a "Ghirlie Mon!"
5.0 out of 5 stars
The story, the greed, the sex, the...
April 21, 2010
By Richard M. Rosso (WOODLANDS, TX USA)
I'm proud to say I read the manuscript and now the book. Written in an easygoing style, it's an adventurous story and along the way you may say "hey that could have been me," or "I can't believe this world existed." Does it still exist? Whether you're in the business of finance or not, this is a good story!
You get to really understand the inner mechanics of these characters-how the greed takes over; you can feel the hubris.Sometimes you love them, sometimes you hate them, occasionally you envy them. You can really empathize with some of their flaws, too. If you think stocks were where it's at, it ain't nothing compared to what happened in bond boiler rooms!!! It's beyond belief!!!
From the trading boards of the firm to the casinos in Vegas, these characters may be fictional-you can understand what makes them tick is all too real. Overall, this harsh environment is what you want to read about, but never live.
Hot bonds, hot cars, hot women, hot locations. What's not to like? Excellent book! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
I couldn't put this book down.
April 18, 2010
By N. Zerega (St. Louis, MO)
This fact-inspired novel follows a group of greedy men as they scheme and scam their way to riches and lives of excess in the bond trading industry. Along with the banks and insurance companies, they assume rules and law don't apply to them. But unlike the CEO's of today, who get rewarded for doing wrong, these characters end up paying for what they have done.
The authors make this book exciting and believable. It's easy to see how men who have much more than they know what to do with end up doing much more than they should.
Great reading. Highly recommended. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bond Daddy - Oh How the Mighty Have Fallen
April 9, 2010
By Bonney J. Bott
Although this is fiction, it's hard to imagine how the world of finance operated in the 1970s, how they got away with it, and how some things that should have changed in the past 35 years haven't. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
From BarnesandNoble.com
Five out of Five Stars
Good read - interesting Houston history
Anonymous
Posted May 26, 2010, 12:40 PM EST
This book is hard to put down. It provides insight into actual events in Houston history. You don't know which parts are actual history and which are added fiction. Its a fun read and interesting.
Five out of Five Stars
This book could become a bestseller!
Anonymous
Posted April 19, 2010, 7:18 PM EST:
This fictional account follows a group of Bond Brokers as they lust for anything and everything money can buy. They push the limits of moral and ethical behavior, rising above the law to pursue the "Big 3"--money, sex, and power. But they surely have a great time doing it! In the end, the tables turn and they have to "pay the piper". It's greedy men like this who have brought down the U.S. economy and the authors seem to have an understanding of how it could have happened in the Bond market (and probably did). This book kept my interest all the way to the end. You get immersed in the world of high-rollers and really feel as if you become the character telling the story. I would definitely recommend reading this book!
Five out of Five Stars
What a great book!
Anonymous
Posted April 19, 2010, 7:00 PM EST
I couldn't put this book down and stayed up WAY past my bedtime reading it. It was exciting reading and easy to follow. The authors made it easy to understand for someone like me who has no idea what the Bond Trading industry is about. I got caught up in the characters lives as they "wheeled and dealed" their way to riches more than anyone needs or deserves and the life that money can buy. What is scary is that the book is based on true events! This is a well-written book that I think everyone should read, especially at this time in our economic history.
Five out of Five Stars
Morality - A Vague Concept to These Characters
Anonymous
Posted May 6, 2010, 11:31 PM EST
Although this is fiction, it's hard to imagine how the world of finance operated in the 1970s, how they got away with it, and how some things that should have changed in the past 35 years haven't.
Five out of Five Stars
lancelot1978
This book is a "must read". It couldn't have come at a better time.
Posted April 19, 2010, 7:18 PM EST
Inspired by true events, the book presents an exciting inside view of the lives of a group of Bond Brokers who could be any one of today's prominent schemers and scammers. It's easy to follow the characters as they bend and break the rules for their own benefit. But finally, time runs out and they must pay for what they have done. The authors present a vivid picture of life in the fast lane. I couldn't wait to get to the end of the book to find out how everything turned out. I enjoyed reading this book. It kept my interest and I would definitely recommend it.
Five out of Five Stars
pennypinscher
The likes of Bernie Madoff would be proud.
Posted April 18, 2010, 5:46 PM EST
This fact-inspired novel puts you into the heart of the 1970's Bond Trading industry but the story could easily have taken place today. It's easy to get swept up in the story of rich and famous men who never have enough of anything. But in the end, fate catches up with them and they get what they deserve. The authors have done a good job in making you clearly visualize the characters and their lives. I highly recommend this book.
If you have a comment that you would like posted,
