The Wizard of Lies: Bernie Madoff and the Death of Trust

The Wizard of Lies examines Bernie Madoff, the New York financier who orchestrated the largest Ponzi scheme in history, defrauding investors of $65 billion. Diana B. Henriques of the New York Times draws on unprecedented access and over one hundred interviews, including Madoff's first published interviews following his arrest, to construct a comprehensive account of the man and his scheme. Henriques provides detailed information from lawsuits and government investigations that challenge myths surrounding the case. The narrative contrasts Madoff's rise on Wall Street with his descent toward self-destruction, while documenting the personal and financial devastation his actions caused: suicides, business failures, broken families, and shuttered charities. A revised and expanded epilogue covers subsequent legal developments. The book offers an examination of the scandal and its implications for Washington, Wall Street, and the broader public.