Pyramid of Lies

Pyramid of Lies by Duncan Mavin is an enthralling exposé of ambition gone awry, chronicling the dramatic rise and cataclysmic fall of Greensill Capital and its charismatic founder, Lex Greensill. Set against the backdrop of high-stakes finance, the book meticulously details how Greensill, once a humble sugar-cane farmer, climbed the dizzying heights of global finance, only to come crashing down in a spectacular scandal that ensnared powerful figures, including former British Prime Minister, David Cameron.

With a deceptively simple idea, Greensill Capital aimed to revolutionise a trillion-dollar industry by providing supply chain finance solutions to businesses worldwide. Attracting the attention and investment of Swiss bankers, international CEOs, and influential politicians, Greensill appeared to be a financial messiah. However, behind the facade of innovation lay a series of perilous and unscrupulous financial practices. Greensill's empire began to crumble as he extended increasingly risky loans to fraudulent enterprises, using funds from unsuspecting investors.

Financial journalist Duncan Mavin, who played a pivotal role in unmasking the dubious operations of Greensill Capital, presents a gripping narrative in Pyramid of Lies. Through painstaking research and a keen investigative eye, Mavin unravels the complex web of deceit that Lex Greensill wove, exposing the dark underbelly of the shadow banking world. Readers are taken on a globe-trotting journey filled with scandal, intrigue, and an illuminating glimpse into the opaque realm of modern finance.

Mavin's writing is both forensic and riveting, drawing in readers with its detailed account of Greensill's meteoric ascent to wealth and subsequent descent into ignominy. The book shines a light on the systemic flaws and unchecked greed that pervade the financial industry, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in the dynamics of power and corruption.

Critics have hailed Pyramid of Lies as a masterful piece of investigative journalism. The Sunday Times describes it as "The British version of Bad Blood . . . [but] better," while The Observer lauds it as "Terrific" and designates it as a Book of the Week. The New Statesman praises the book for being "Forensic and riveting," and The Daily Telegraph commends its meticulous research.

Pyramid of Lies is more than just a financial thriller; it's a cautionary tale about unchecked ambition and the perils of a financial system that allows opaque and risky practices to flourish. A must-read for anyone fascinated by the machinations of global finance, it's an essential addition to any bookshelf.