The Money Trap

A fascinating story about money, power and the culture of the rarified group of people who wield it. Told with self-deprecating humor, this is an entertaining and illuminating memoir about what it’s like to find yourself in the room as some of the biggest deals in history are being made – Hari Kunzru, author of Blue Ruin, White Tears, Red Pill, Transmission and The ImpressionistA shot of adrenaline that takes you directly inside some of the most secretive rooms in tech and finance … a colourful insider’s look into the companies that rule our world – Rob Copeland, New York Times bestselling author of The FundAn insider’s thrilling tale of dark corporate doings, a great how-to business text, a compendium of fun riffs on modern culture, a flashlight shone on the insanity of high finance … Sama writes with authority and panache, humor and outrage, and above all knowledge … If this book doesn’t become a bestseller, the world truly makes no sense – Darin Strauss, Award–winning author of Half a Life and The Queen of TuesdayAlok Sama’s witty, incisive and introspective writing is a genuine pleasure to read. This simultaneously funny and eye-opening memoir from a globe-trotting protagonist is a rare window onto a world most only hear about – Bradley Hope, New York Times bestselling co-author of Billion Dollar Whale and Pulitzer Prize finalistA riveting page-turner … an immigrant’s story with something significant to say about class, character, identity, family and, perhaps more than anything, the search for happiness – Jonathan Safran Foer, author of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, Everything is Illuminated and Here I Am A vivid and intimate story of an insider’s rise to power in the world of money – and his search to find his own peace and freedom – Leigh Owings Newman, Books Editor, Oprah.com and author of Nobody Gets Out Alive and Still Points NorthAn existential and exquisitely satisfying business thriller…a wonderful story that begins with big business and big deals and ends with the biggest question: what does it means to be a person? Sama brings a pure writerly eye into rooms and situations never before captured in print. This is a thrilling and important book: the incredible thing is that it’s all true – David Lipsky, New York Times bestselling author of Absolutely American and Although Of Course You End Up Becoming YourselfA rollicking, revealing, and deeply personal memoir of a banker and corporate consigliere at the very top of his game … A must-read for anyone hoping to understand how power is wielded in corporate boardrooms. I couldn’t put it down – Gary Ginsberg, New York Times bestselling author of First Friends, former head of communications at News Corp, Time Warner and SoftBank Group

Alok Sama is the former President and CFO of SoftBank Group International. He previously served as a Managing Director of Morgan Stanley and has worked in finance for over thirty years. Sama holds an MBA from The Wharton School and an MFA in Creative Writing at New York University. The Money Trap is his first book.