Big Deal : 2000 and Beyond

Rating:
Summary: The M&A Handbook - Wasserstein is the M&A king
Review: As a former summer M&A analyst at the M&A boutique formerly known as Wasserstein Perella, I had the opportunity to work for the man who wrote the essential "handbook on M&A." This book describes in great detail, not to mention with some exciting stories, the processes of the M&A transaction. In my opinion, Wasserstein is the king of the M&A world, having executed some of the largest deals in the industry. Although long, the book does provide lots of information about the deal-making process.

For anyone interested in the process of the M&A deal, the Big Deal, especially the updated 2000 version, is essential. During my summer at the firm, I got to experience the very workings that the book describes as happening during a deal. The book artfully uses Wasserstein's real-life experiences to add excitement, credibility, and clarity to understanding what happens during an M&A deal. This book, however, does not read like a novel, but more like a textbook laden with actual examples to explain its points. I would recommend this book to serious investment bankers who enjoy such technical readings. For a more humerous read or novel-like book, try either Monkey Business or Den of Theives. While not as technically sound, their intentions are different, as they are more story-telling driven books. The Big Deal can essentially be used as a textbook.

Rating:
Summary: Understanding M&A and Everything In Between
Review: Bruce Wasserstein has managed to make the complex world of mergers and acquisitions as understandable as it can be exciting. He not only explains the intricacies of the transactions but does so in a way that the neophyte can quickly and easily grasp. He also paints fascinating portraits of the players involved. In so doing he puts flesh on the skeleton of the technical explanations. And of course there are the in depth and fascinating stories of the deals themselves- some with which the world is familiar and others of a more esoteric nature but all described in a page turning story tellers fashion.

This is the story from the inside. From a man who has participated in and observed some of the largest and most fascinating of corporate transactions. Fortunately not only is he an excellent M&A attorney but he's an excellent writer as well.

For those involved in transactions of this kind or who want to understand them better for investment purposes it's a textbook that will be referred to constantly.

And for those who are just interested in the drama of the deal it's a wonderful read.

Rating:
Summary: Big Deal:2000 and Beyond
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: The King of the Deal
Review: Mr. Wasserstein has written one of the most insightful, interesting books on the subject of M&A activity. The beginning of his book offers a concise, yet informative explanation of how the M&A and LBO businesses came about. A good history for those of us who may not be old enough to remember. The next part of the book deals much more in "big-picture" items. Why competitors in certain industries decided to start getting together, and what the political, regulatory and industry climate was at the time that drove such mergers. It is one thing to read newspaper stories of these deals-it is completely different when the story comes from the mouth of the banker who was sitting next to the CEO in the boardroom. The last section deals more in the nuts-and-bolts of doing actual deals. While on its own, it can get a little dry, this last section discusses a host of issues pertinent to getting a deal done, dealing with a number of political and regulatory requirements.

All in all, if you want to know the whole story behind those WSJ headlines, read this book. A great, in-depth study of what it is like advising on some of the largest deals this generation (or any other) has ever seen. Theory is great, but in the end, what counts is closing the deal, and this book tells how it all happens.

Rating:
Summary: Great book: very useful
Review: 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.