Zero Coupon [Mass Market Paperback]

Paul Erdman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1994

Takeover artist Willy Saxon returns from prison to Wall Street with a ruthless and beautiful accomplice, an airtight plan, and a tax-free bond worth billions. Reprint. K. PW.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

What's an '80s-style financial shark to do in the brave new waters of '90s business? Whatever it is, Erdman's ( The Panic of '89 ) scenario isn't really convincing. After serving his full three years and a day in a country club-like federal prison, 46-year-old former junk bond finagler Willy Saxon has, in his mind, paid his debt to society. He despises "cooperators" like his old pals Boesky and Milken who got shortened jail terms for informing on friends. Barred from the business, Willy uses his $74 million European nest egg to buy covert control of a foundering San Francisco investment house and (with a little blackmail) of a bond rating agency. He also buys a Napa Valley ranch where he sets up a high-tech trading exchange. Business booms, but when he needs collateral, Willy floats and sells a couple of bogus bonds. Just when it seems he'll be going back to jail, Willy correctly predicts the German mark's plunge and makes $500 million. Though Willy is revered by his young computer wonk employees (and bedded by two beauteous, older leaders of San Francisco's pretentious, self-absorbed high society), readers will find him shallow, selfish and no fun. But cardboard characters and barely serviceable prose probably won't put off Erdman's fans. This is the first title for Forge Books, a new Tor imprint. 250,000 first printing; advertising; author tour.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

The plot of Erdman's thriller involves high finance with lots of money to be waged and won. Willy Saxon is an international investment banker who got caught in the junk bond debacle. Willy has had to cough up $100 million in fines and serve time in a federal prison. Within a week of his release, Willy sets into motion an elaborate moneymaking scheme involving a tax-free zero coupon bond. Willy uses all of his cunning, nerves of steel, and foresight to advance his plan of action. Reader Michael McConnohie maintains the right pace and matches the international accents the script demands. Highly recommended for popular collections.
Kristin M. Jacobi, Mitchell Coll. Lib., New London, Ct.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books (October 15, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812521455
• ISBN-13: 978-0812521450
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #436,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Character-driven story with a technical plot, June 7, 2000

By 

S. McHale (Costa Mesa, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zero Coupon (Mass Market Paperback)

Something Paul Erdman does that many of his comtemporaries neglect to do is he gives his characters personality and life. The dialogue has some spark.

Besides good characters, Erdman is good with the technical details of finance. You get to dabble with offshore corporation, shell companies, underwriting and the like. It does not read like a textbook. It reads more like what you can imagine Micheal Milken doing in a meeting with his minions as he's setting up something - lots of charisma, some financial details, but not so much details that it would put us laypeople to sleep.

His other books are like this, too. Except for the Swiss Account (which reads like a history book) and The Panic of 89 (which reads like a Tom Clancy thriller).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fast Pace, Talented Author, August 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Zero Coupon (Audio Cassette)

This book's release in the pre-internet days prevents it from getting its deserved recognition. Erdman has written well-received books since the 1970s. Snappy dialog containing factual information about the world of high finance both educates and entertains the reader.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Move over Gecko, Willy Saxton is in town!, April 30, 2002

By 

Alan Smithee "Reason..." (SRQ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zero Coupon (Mass Market Paperback)

After reading Den of Thieves this books brings us over from reality to fiction by way of the Grisham / Clancy type drama and action of high finance and intrigue.
Beginning where Den of Thieves leaves off (in the real world) this takes us on a fast passed romp through start-up, cutting deals, leveraging coin, and turning up the heat to create a trading operation in the woods north of San Francisco.
The Willy Saxton character is perfect and handles the presure well.
This of course is not great literature, but it sure is a fast and great read. Books like this are like "Text Movies". They grab and entertain you.
If you like high finance, drama, and intrigue then this is it!