The Liar's Ball - The Extraordinary Saga of How One Building Broke the World's Toughest Tycoons (Electronic book text, 1st edition)

Inside the world of the real Great Gatsby of New York real estate

Harry Macklowe is one of the most notorious wheelers and dealers of the real estate world, and "The Liar's Ball" is the story of the gamblers and thieves who populate his world. Watch as Harry makes the gutsy bid for midtown Manhattan's famous GM building and put almost no money down, landing the billion-dollar transaction that made him the poster child for New York's real estate royalty. Listen in on the secret conversations, back-door deals, and blackmail that put Macklowe and his cronies on top--and set them up for an "enormous" fall.

"Vanity Fair" contributing editor Vicky Ward skillfully paints the often scandalous picture of the giants who owned the New York skyline until their empires came crumbling down in the 2008 financial crisis. Based on more than 200 interviews with real estate moguls like Donald Trump, William Zeckendorf, Mort Zuckerman, and David Simon, "The" "Liar's Ball" is the never-before-told story of the egomaniacal elites of New York City. Read about: The epic rise and fall of one of the richest American real estate baronsOutlandish greed and cravings for power, attention, and loveRelationships built and destroyed by vanity and gossipThe bursting of the real estate bubble and its aftermath

This is no fiction--this is a real life tale of extravagance, ambition, and power. Harry Macklowe ruthlessly clawed his way to the top with the help of his loyal followers, each grubbing for a piece of the real estate pie. "The" "Liar's Ball" reveals their secrets and tells the tale of business as usual for this group--lying, backstabbing, and moving in for the kill when things look patchy. From the bestselling author of "The Devil's Casino" comes an expose on the real estate elite that you'll hardly believe.