Customer Reviews

Extreme Value Hedging: How Activist Hedge Fund Managers Are Taking on the World

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Ron Orol has written a thoughtful and provocative book that gives an inside view into the world of activist hedge funds and how they are transforming the business world. Not since the "greenmailers" of the 1980s have corporate boards of directors and managers been so challenged by activist shareholders. The book explores the different kinds of thinking and strategies employed by activist funds and the challenges they pose to corporate insiders. "Extreme Value Hedging's" extensive analysis, documentation and insight are invaluable in understanding this new world. The book should be required reading for anyone trying to understand corporate governance dynamics in the 21st century.
Owen Kurtin

Very useful book for those trying to understand how activism works today. Great detail and use of examples.

I've been working with companies under attack from activist hedge funds since 2001 and this is the first book I've come across worth reading on the subject. Orol has done a nice job compiling the things that really matter - from the strategy and tactics used by some of the most proficient activists through the changing SEC rules and broader use of technologies that will make defending against these insurgents much more difficult in the near future.

If you're looking for a "lifestyle" perspective on the quirky behavior and actions often written about activist hedge fund managers, you'll have to look elsewhere.

This thoroughly researched book is a good introduction to the arena of hedge fund activism. The chapters are sprinkled with examples from the activist playbook - and the tactics of companies dealing with an activist uprising.
The writing is even-handed and the anectodes -- especially the several regarding public-pressure campaigns by activist managers -- make for engaging reading.

This is a great distillation of what is happening all around us in the world of activist fund management. While the book is highly accessible to the average reader, the behind the scenes glimpse at the personalities and strategies in the activist fund world are a treat for anyone with an interest in finance/investing.

I work with a number of hedge funds, including many reputable shareholder activist groups. This book by Ron Orol is the best book I've ever read about the shareholder activist investment. It's a must read!

author does a very thorough job citing quantitative analysis and primary sources of information on a variety of activist situations and topics.

however, IMO book could have used some better editing and sequencing. chapters frequently reference those same academic research and primary sources and in each chapter we are introduced to those sources as if it was the very first time they were mentioned. the upside to this is that chapters can stand on their own. the downside is that chapters don't flow, can be more lengthy than necessary, and leads you to wondering if this book could have been better organized.