Apr
7
As you know, I do not take advertisements or sponsorships, nor do I take money or solicit donations in the process of doing this site. There are many reasons for this: hassle, the nobility of the mission, conflicts of interest and most of all, I do not want to distract from reporting by dealing with a host of business issues. Frankly, I suspect I have too much pride to put up a Paypal “tip jar.”
Instead, there is just old-time investigative reporting into companies that are doing some very interesting things. I submit there isn’t a ton of this being done. Actually, that’s a polite way of saying none of it is being done. Moreover, in a few weeks FI will be expanding: More stories and in all probability, a sister site is going to spring up, focusing exclusively on Chinese reverse mergers and the wonderful people who help them get here.
It costs a lot though and unfortunately, some of my investigative reporting has forced me to retain a lawyer to do the defensive things good lawyers do. No high drama like a lawsuit and the like, but investigative reporting is never cheap and the enemies of good reporting always seem to have both time and capital. The bastards won’t shut me down but I’m likely to be a fair bit poorer by the time they are sent packing.
To that end, I respectfully ask you to at least consider a purchase of my book Fatal Risk. Amazon is a fine place for the digitally grounded, or B&N should work for those who want a $4 slice of cheesecake with their forensic reconstruction of the AIG debacle.
Though the book has many merits–and you had better believe I am biased–it is my primary means of support. I have used the highest standards of investigative reporting in the book and went out of my way to discard much of what has been accepted wisdom about AIG and the broader credit crisis of 2008. The result, I submit, is an engaging investigative narrative of what the hell happened at AIG–and the world–over the past decade or so.
It’s not just me saying so though.
The initial reviews from Felix Salmon at Reuters and David Merkel‘s Aleph blog have been complementary, and the WSJ had some nice things to say as well. There will be others weighing in soon.
There will be no tote bags or bumper stickers in this fund-raising pitch. Only a sincere “thank you” for helping me report what too often is passed over.
Roddy Boyd
You have done some of the best work out there. A few more stories and you’ll enter the vaulted ranks of the likes of Citron, et al. I’m heading right over to Amazon ASAP to make my contribution to help cleaning up the pond of fraudsters.
I’m sure i will enjoy the book. And yes, you do some great reporting.
Keep up the great reporting. Readers appreciate it, and more importantly, investors need it.
I just bought the book on Amazon and look forward to reading it. Your work is very valuable and I hope you can continue with it for a long time.
I just finished “Fatal Risk”, and look forward to your next publication. “Fatal Risk” is an important source of information for anyone interested in the culture that led to the near demise of AIG. The book is well written, concise, and entertaining as well. I would share my copy, but that doesn’t seem to be in your interest, so, I shall go post on Facebook that anyone who doesn’t own a copy of the book is missing out in a major way. Well done Mr. Boyd.
I’ll going to buy your book tomorrow. I heard your interview on Bloomberg from last week. Thanks for all your work