"Mixes the helpful, the sarcastic and the entertaining . [with] a touch of Ambrose Bierce's about it." -- Jim Higgins (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) "An idiosyncratic collection of short, sharp essays translating the jargon of finance with admirable concision and wit." -- Peter Sokolowski (New York Times Book Review) "Insightful and often funny… An invaluable primer." -- Ian Critchley (Sunday Times) "A hugely enjoyable book… Lanchester is a kind of brainy Everyman, a brilliant communicator." -- Melanie Reid (The Times) "An entertaining and informative read… Witty, provocative and engaging." -- Evening Standard " is a wonderful and enlightening book. Refreshingly clear, sharp, and funny, it'll help you understand not only what the language of finance means but also why it matters.

" -- James Surowiecki, best-selling author of The Wisdom of Crowds "Reading this book is like meeting an easy-going guy at a cocktail party who can explain everything that's always mystified you about high finance-'inverted yield curve,' anyone?-with sparkle, wit, and crystal clarity. And if you're already a finance-insider, you'll get a kick out of Lanchester's sly ironies." -- Jim Holt, best-selling author of Why Does the World Exist? "A terrific primer on financial jargon… Anyone who wants to understand the nightly news should keep this volume at hand." -- Publishers Weekly "Lays out the case for financial literacy and then provides an essential glossary of terms for those who would like to achieve this happy state." -- Sarah Lyall (New York Times).