Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron

The Smartest Guys in the Room is a gripping account of the rise and fall of Enron, written by award-winning Fortune investigative reporters Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind.

This comprehensive chronicle digs deep into the numbers and uncovers the contributions of lesser-known participants in the scandal, providing a detailed and nuanced understanding of how Enron's "smart guys" managed to pull off one of the most brazen corporate frauds in history.

With vivid portraits of paternal but disengaged CEO Ken Lay, cutthroat man-behind-the-curtain Jeff Skilling, and ethically blind numbers whiz Andy Fastow, the authors reveal the arrogance and hubris that led to Enron's downfall.

Despite their unlikable nature, the writers find it difficult to suppress their astonishment and revulsion at the crew who rapidly went from golden boys and girls of the financial world to pariahs when the bill finally came due.

With 400,000 first printing and a wide range of sources, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in business, finance, or the cautionary tale of Enron's collapse.