Bryan Burrough and John Helyar: Barbarians at the Gate

Bryan Burrough and John Helyar: Barbarians at the Gate

Bryan Burrough and John Helyar are two journalists who wrote the book "Barbarians at the Gate." This book is a fascinating account of the leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco, a food and tobacco conglomerate, in the late 1980s. The book is a classic of business journalism and has been widely read and praised for its insightful reporting and engaging storytelling.

The Story of Bryan Burrough and John Helyar

Bryan Burrough and John Helyar were both reporters for the Wall Street Journal in the 1980s. They covered the financial markets and the mergers and acquisitions that were transforming American business. In 1987, they were assigned to cover the leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco, which was then the largest such deal in history.

Burrough and Helyar spent months interviewing the key players in the deal, including the CEO of RJR Nabisco, F. Ross Johnson, and the investment bankers and lawyers who were advising him. They also talked to the shareholders and employees of the company, who were caught up in the drama of the deal.

The result of their reporting was "Barbarians at the Gate," a book that tells the story of the RJR Nabisco deal from beginning to end. The book is a gripping account of the personalities, the strategies, and the conflicts that shaped the deal. It is also a portrait of an era in American business when greed and ambition were driving the markets.

A Review of "Barbarians at the Gate"

"Barbarians at the Gate" is a masterpiece of business journalism. Burrough and Helyar have written a book that is both informative and entertaining, a rare combination in the world of nonfiction. The book is filled with colorful characters, dramatic scenes, and insightful analysis of the financial markets.

One of the strengths of the book is its focus on the human side of the deal. Burrough and Helyar paint vivid portraits of the key players in the deal, showing their strengths and weaknesses, their motivations and fears. The authors also capture the mood of the times, when Wall Street was dominated by a culture of excess and risk-taking.

Another strength of the book is its clear and concise explanation of the financial concepts and strategies involved in the deal. Burrough and Helyar are able to explain complex financial instruments and transactions in a way that is accessible to the lay reader. This makes the book an excellent resource for anyone who wants to understand the world of finance.

Overall, "Barbarians at the Gate" is a must-read for anyone interested in business, finance, or American culture in the 1980s. It is a book that has stood the test of time and remains relevant today, as the issues it raises about corporate governance, shareholder activism, and the role of Wall Street in American society are still being debated.

Bryan Burrough and John Helyar’s "Barbarians at the Gate" is a classic of business journalism that tells the story of the RJR Nabisco leveraged buyout in the late 1980s. The book is a gripping account of the personalities, strategies, and conflicts that shaped the deal, as well as a portrait of an era in American business when greed and ambition were driving the markets. Burrough and Helyar’s clear and concise explanation of financial concepts and strategies make the book an excellent resource for anyone who wants to understand the world of finance.