The Big Interview Andrew Ross Sorkin
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Nov 14, 2025 
Andrew Ross Sorkin, a journalist and bestselling author known for 'Too Big to Fail,' explores the intricate world of the Great Depression in his new book '1929.' He contrasts the financial responses of 1929 and 2008, revealing insights from archival research that reveal human emotions behind historic decisions. Sorkin discusses the rise of consumer credit, the shadow banking menace, and parallels between current AI excitement and past financial bubbles. He emphasizes the journalist's role in warning against systemic risks, shedding light on today's complex financial landscape.
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Crisis Characters Repeat Across Eras
- The 1929 crisis and 2008 shared similar characters and psychology despite different eras.
- Powerful bankers then resembled modern bankers and often led both the crash and the rescue.
Finding Hidden Minutes In Baker Library
- Sorkin discovered Thomas Lamont's office transcripts in Harvard's Baker Library that revealed Oval Office conversations.
- He then chased fragmented archives nationwide to reconstruct conversations and meetings.
Sunshine Charlie's Central Role
- Charles (Sunshine) Mitchell was central to 1920s credit expansion yet was erased from popular history.
- Mitchell popularized lending to buy stocks, fueling widespread speculation.
