John Paulson spent more than fifty hours with me, discussing his trade, and for that I am appreciative. Many of the other protagonists in the story were just as generous with their time.
I’d also like to thank Robert Thomson, The Wall Street Journal’s managing editor; Nikhil Deogun, the paper’s deputy managing editor; and Ken Brown, the editor of the paper’s Money and Investing section, who gave their blessings for a leave to complete this book. Roger Scholl, my editor at Random House, and David McCormick, my agent at McCormick & Williams, provided expert insight and valued guidance, not to mention a snazzy title. I’m grateful for the invaluable counsel and critiques of colleagues, former colleagues, friends, and family members including Ezra Zuckerman Sivan, Hal Lux, Karen Richardson, Joanna Slater, Craig Karmin, Serena Ng, Richard Regis, Lynn Davidman, Avigaiyil Goldscheider, and Erin Arvedlund. William Lloyd and Janet Tavakoli made sure I kept mistakes to a minimum. And I’m indebted to Sarah Morgan and Shelly Banjo, two remarkable research assistants.
I couldn’t have completed this project without the patience and support of my wife, Michelle, who somehow convinced me to keep going, as well as the love of Gabriel and Elijah, the best boys any father could ask for. I am eternally grateful for the unwavering encouragement and love of my mother and father. Their confidence in me is the backbone of whatever success I achieve.
When I was young and still impressionable, my father worked with me on my writing. Keep it as tight and simple as possible, he urged. Be creative. My work is an echo of his research and writing, his guidance as close as the keyboard in front of me. The greatest trade ever brought John Paulson billions of dollars. The opportunity to write about it gave me my own fortune—precious extra time with my father, of blessed memory.