

#1102
Mentioned in 20 episodes
The bonfire of the vanities
Book • 1987
The Bonfire of the Vanities is a drama that centers on three main characters: Sherman McCoy, a WASP bond trader; Larry Kramer, a Jewish assistant district attorney; and Peter Fallow, a British expatriate journalist.
The novel explores the complexities of New York City in the 1980s, delving into themes of ambition, racism, social class, politics, and greed.
It was originally conceived as a serial in the style of Charles Dickens and ran in 27 installments in Rolling Stone before being published in book form.
The story follows the characters through their interactions and conflicts, highlighting the superficial values and hypocrisies of the city's elite and the underlying social tensions of the time.
The novel explores the complexities of New York City in the 1980s, delving into themes of ambition, racism, social class, politics, and greed.
It was originally conceived as a serial in the style of Charles Dickens and ran in 27 installments in Rolling Stone before being published in book form.
The story follows the characters through their interactions and conflicts, highlighting the superficial values and hypocrisies of the city's elite and the underlying social tensions of the time.
Mentioned by

























Mentioned in 20 episodes
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as one of the greatest books about wealth, alongside The Great Gatsby.

Michael Batnick

97 snips
It’s Not the Money, It’s the Mood
Mentioned by 

in the context of Donald Trump's apparent lack of familiarity with the book.


James Marriott

31 snips
The dawn of the post-literate society
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a relevant fiction book.

Anastasia Bendebury

22 snips
Predatory Value Extraction Turns the World - Dr. Bill Lazonick, UMass Economics/AIRnet, #314
Mentioned when discussing New York's economy in 1987 and the masters of the universe.

19 snips
Could New York Go Bankrupt Again?
Recommended as one of the novels mentioned in the introduction by ![undefined]()

.

Christopher Scalia

18 snips
Episode 89: Read Another Book — with Christopher J. Scalia
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

in the context of Donald Trump's potential policies and their impact on the global economy.

Cristina Lindblad

16 snips
Global Economy Won’t Feel Much Pain From Trump Agenda in 2025
Referenced by 

when recommending a cultural assignment for aspiring novelists.


Ryan Williams

15 snips
New York, New Left (ft. Inez Stepman)
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

in relation to the filming of the movie adaptation.

Marina Hyde

14 snips
Will The Harry Potter Reboot Fail?
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a satirical novel illustrating the complexities of modern finance.

John Podhoretz

13 snips
The Larry Tate Trumpians
Mentioned by 

as the best book on financial markets, highlighting Tom Wolfe's insightful portrayal of a trading firm.


Harry Stebbings

12 snips
20VC: The Memo: The $23BN Company You Might Not Have Heard Of: Tradeweb, The Story of 27 Years of Compounding Growth Leading to the Market Leader with $1.4BN in Revenue and 50% EBITDA Margins
Mentioned by Alex Schwartz when explaining Philip Roth's challenge to himself and Tom Wolfe.

12 snips
“Eddington” and the American Berserk
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as one of his favorite novels, capturing New York in the 80s.

David Harsanyi

‘You're Wrong' With Mollie Hemingway And David Harsanyi, Ep. 134: Confirmations
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a blockbuster novel about social class and greed in 1980s New York City.

Jacqueline Maley

Jeff Bezos’ wedding: Chic is dead. Where will the vulgarity lead?
Mentioned when discussing how people go bankrupt gradually and then suddenly.

James Sexton: The Hard Truth About Love, Sex, & Divorce
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as an example of how to end a scene.

James Thayer

Episode 8 - Scene and summary
Mentioned by 

in relation to a book that shares similarities with Sam Bankman-Fried's story.


Andrew Klavan

House Kicks off Biden Investigation, FBI and 1/6, and the Life of a Writer, with Andrew Klavan and Doug Brunt | Ep. 437
Mentioned by 

as a book he studied to learn how to write while in jail.


Jordan Belfort

What I Learned About Sales From the "Wolf of Wall Street", Jordan Belfort | #Sales - Ep. 42
Mentioned by 

as a book that illustrates the arrogance and lack of respect in finance.


Scott Galloway

The Crypto Meltdown — with David Yermack
Mentioned by 

in the context of his own life experiences and the character Sherman McCoy.


Glenn Loury

Ep 517 - Confessions of a Black Conservative (feat. Glenn Loury)
Mentioned by 

in the context of books widely read during a specific era.


Merlin Mann

Ep. 575: "An Introverted Muppet"