Big Deal: 2000 and Beyond Revised Edition

Mr Wasserstein's work is not only very interesting amazingly readable, but also practically very useful and informative for businessmen, researchers, academicians and policy makers.The Indian Government's policy makers can take a number of ideas from the book before they start experimenting with the unfolding economy, i.e., after decades of controlled regime. The practical and experiential lessons given by the author will help the policy makers navigate more dexterously while sailing on doubtful and controversial waters of corporate legislation and governmental control.As a Ph D scholar, I find it very useful and I have no hesitation in recommending it to fellow students and to our Institute's (Birla Institute of Management Technology, New Delhi) library. It would be even more useful if an updated publication of the book may be brought out that would include a chapter on M & A Pricing and Valuation.

M & A tycoon Bruce Wasserstein has not just studied the high-stakes world of corporate mergers & acquisitions, he's lived it. As head of M & A at First Boston and then as leader of his own firm, Wasserstein has played a role in many pivotal corporate marriages. In these pages, Wasserstein comprehensively examines the hows and whys of history's largest deals. While skirting the fundamental question of whether mergers & acquisitions enhance or depress shareholder value over the long term, Wasserstein conveys an overwhelming amount of information about the dynamics and tactics that define M & A. The book is enormous and encyclopedic, so it might serve better as a reference text than a straight-through read. We [...] strongly recommend this book for both its compelling historic accounts of Wall Street's most important deals and deal makers and its detailed breakdown of how the game actually works.

Unlike most books, which just give the "Who" and "When", Bruce Wasserstein goes a step further with "Why" and "How". He gives in debth reviews of every major acquisition in the 20th Century, as well as a bio on the key players which gives each story a personallity.

I seemed to be interested in business, which led to me picking up this book. At the time it was a New York Post bestseller. WHen I saw that my father had just finished the first book, I knew I was in good hands with Wasserstein. I certainly was right! This is my favorite book since Clive Cussler's Inca Gold, but this is a much better read. Anytime I felt bogged down by the epic scope of the book, I was led into an intriguing profile of one of the capitalists that has made our country such a sucess. Although the chance to right a tell-all might lead other writers to become self-involved, Wasserstein manages to keep the focus on the story. He never backs away in order to glorify himself. The most interesting material was on the travails of running your business in the internet age. You could tell that Wasserstein understands what the future will bring and how it can be delt with. I hope that the scope of this volume wont stop Wasserstein from going for a third volume.

Wasserstein's depth of knowledge shows in this extremely readable guide to the world of m & a. Wasserstein is obviously a very smart man, and the level of insight he brings to this book is impressive.Profiles break up the text and provide useful, often colorful, snapshots of some of capitalism's heavist hitters.I heartily recomend BIG DEAL to anyone interested in the world of investment banking.