From Davos: A chance encounter with Andrew Ross Sorkin

Decided against the Bill Clinton event last night — primarily in the interests of sleep. Due apologies. He’s scheduled at a Coca Cola reception tonight, so I’ll probably catch him there. I did spend some quality time with Andrew Ross Sorkin. We were typing away on dueling computers, both generally unaware of each other … ...

By , the president of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media.

Decided against the Bill Clinton event last night -- primarily in the interests of sleep. Due apologies. He's scheduled at a Coca Cola reception tonight, so I'll probably catch him there.

Decided against the Bill Clinton event last night — primarily in the interests of sleep. Due apologies. He’s scheduled at a Coca Cola reception tonight, so I’ll probably catch him there.

I did spend some quality time with Andrew Ross Sorkin. We were typing away on dueling computers, both generally unaware of each other … until I finished up and looked over to my left. Lovely fellow. Surprisingly unselfpossessed given the extraordinary success of his recent book, Too Big to Fail.

We don’t know each other well, but I particularly wanted to discuss the book with him. In part because I’d been recommending it to friends who refuse to read anything on the financial crisis. But mostly because it’s such a complicated story that he handles with remarkable balance and discipline. 

Andrew said his view on writing the book was akin to Tarantino directing a movie — he wants everyone coming away believing they’ve read a different story. Interesting, clever, probably not my take (I generally want everyone to "get me." Though I suspect my general urge to be liked is greater than Andrew’s.) 

From my perspective, the thing Andrew got truly on the money, as it were, was his sense of humanity around all the major bankers (I think the public sector folks got a bit of a rougher ride). In 30 years, presuming a conversion, I suspect I’d like Andrew to be my rabbi. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the subjects disagreed. I didn’t discuss the book with Merrill Lynch’s ex CEO, John Thain, but I know him well … and thought quite well of the portrayal. Not John’s view, says Andrew. Same on Lehman’s Dick Fuld — and his annoyance with the book I’ve already heard from Dick’s old friends.

Maybe the better take on Too Big to Fail is that if everybody finds something to criticize, he’s hit it just right. Nah, that’s clearly not right either. Just read it.

Ian Bremmer is the president of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media. He is also the host of the television show GZERO World With Ian Bremmer. Twitter: @ianbremmer

More from Foreign Policy

An illustration shows the Statue of Liberty holding a torch with other hands alongside hers as she lifts the flame, also resembling laurel, into place on the edge of the United Nations laurel logo.
An illustration shows the Statue of Liberty holding a torch with other hands alongside hers as she lifts the flame, also resembling laurel, into place on the edge of the United Nations laurel logo.

A New Multilateralism

How the United States can rejuvenate the global institutions it created.

A view from the cockpit shows backlit control panels and two pilots inside a KC-130J aerial refueler en route from Williamtown to Darwin as the sun sets on the horizon.
A view from the cockpit shows backlit control panels and two pilots inside a KC-130J aerial refueler en route from Williamtown to Darwin as the sun sets on the horizon.

America Prepares for a Pacific War With China It Doesn’t Want

Embedded with U.S. forces in the Pacific, I saw the dilemmas of deterrence firsthand.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, seen in a suit and tie and in profile, walks outside the venue at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Behind him is a sculptural tree in a larger planter that appears to be leaning away from him.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, seen in a suit and tie and in profile, walks outside the venue at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Behind him is a sculptural tree in a larger planter that appears to be leaning away from him.

The Endless Frustration of Chinese Diplomacy

Beijing’s representatives are always scared they could be the next to vanish.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomes Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman during an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on June 22, 2022.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomes Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman during an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on June 22, 2022.

The End of America’s Middle East

The region’s four major countries have all forfeited Washington’s trust.