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Alvin Hall in The Bonfire of the Vanities

Alvin Hall in The Bonfire of the Vanities: Episode 2: Wall Street

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Factual: History

Wall Street

Episode 2

Episode 2: Wall Street

BBC Radio 4 - Alvin Hall in The Bonfire of the Vanities, Wall Street

Do arrogant traders like Bonfire's Sherman McCoy still populate Wall Street today?

The Wall Street bond trader Sherman McCoy in The Bonfire of The Vanities was making millions, and believing he was worth it. Alvin Hall asks what has changed in the past 25 years.

The Bonfire of The Vanities told the story of rich Wall Street bond trader Sherman McCoy being involved in a hit-and-run with a young black man in the Bronx, and the dramatic fall out that follows.

Sherman's arrogance led to him being there, and his Wall Street success led to his arrogance. Are there still Sherman McCoy's populating Wall Street today, 25 years after the publication of Tom Wolfe's novel?

Alvin asks, with Occupy Wall Street, and the implosion of many of the finance companies in New York, whether we've seen the end of the 'Masters of the Universe'.


Produced by Lucy Lloyd.

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Alvin Hall compares the New York of Tom Wolfe's scathing 1980s satire with that of today

Alvin Hall compares the New York City of Tom Wolfe's scathing 1980s satire with that of today

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Alvin Hall in The Bonfire of the Vanities

Episode 2: Wall Street

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