Backstage Wall Street Turns One! Thank You!

Wow.

I can’t even believe that a year has passed since my book, Backstage Wall Street, first hit Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other fine stores. I began writing it in the spring of 2011, edited it with Stephanie Frerich and the amazing staff at McGraw-Hill throughout the year and then in March of 2012 we put it out – and everything just went crazy from there.

The book topped the chart for the finance category and has consistently remained in the top ten on the Banks and Banking section of Amazon ever since. I’ve gotten fan mail from over a dozen countries on four continents and hundreds of people from all over have photographed it in bookstores or sent me pics of themselves reading it or receiving it. The support from you guys has been absolutely amazing!

One of the coolest things that’s happened since publishing has been the least expected. As I was writing it I was very nervous that brokers in the industry were going to flip out and come after me. But in fact, just the opposite happened – I’ve received countless emails from people in the industry who’ve thanked me for being so truthful and finally saying the things out loud they’ve always wanted to hear said. There were a few shoves at a restaurant on Stone Street, one or two nasty email threats etc – but for the most part, my peers in the industry knew I was keeping it real and appreciated it. They’ve by and large had a similar experience and couldn’t wait to share their own stories with me.

Before I send you off to some related links on this special anniversary, I’d like to take a moment to thank my friends and colleagues who’ve reviewed the book on their sites and at Amazon, which has helped immensely. And to all the journalists who’ve covered and excerpted it since the launch, I am forever grateful. Also, thanks to Tom Brakke, Scott Bell, Kristen French, Carl Richards, Jason Zweig, David Merkel, Barry Ritholtz, Mark Bruno and Bill Singer for their contributions to the chapter I did about the future of the industry. So far, so good guys, you’ve been spot on!  In addition, thanks to Ben and Eileen Aronson for granting us use of their gorgeous original artwork on the cover. Also, thanks to Dougie Kass and Michael Santoli for their amazing blurbs and encouragement – to get that kind of support from two idols of mine really has meant the world to me.

If you’ve read the book or have passed it on to others or have emailed, tweeted or said a kind word to me about it this past year, I just want you to know how much I appreciate it. Without you guys, it never would have happened, I’ll never forget your kindness and enthusiasm for Backstage Wall Street as long as I live.

Below are some related links to Backstage Wall Street, including some fun stuff you may have missed, thanks again!

First cover art released!

Promotional Video released on Youtube

BusinessWeek profile

Investment News excerpt

The Forbes interview

The Joe Weisenthal interview

Cover of Research Magazine

Financial Times excerpts a chapter

The Max Keiser interview

Cover of Registered Rep Magazine

The Yahoo Finance Interview

The MarketPlace review

The Barron’s Review of Backstage Wall Street

Mean Street (WSJ) Interview

Business Insider covers the book party 

Overall, doing the book has been one of the most rewarding, difficult and ultimately transformative experiences of my life. Getting feedback from it and signing copies of it is often the highlight of my day, even now a year after it’s release. I’ve stopped promoting it but it seems to have taken on a life of its own at this point. I love seeing Instagrams of people who’ve just gotten the book and I excited to dive in. I also keep seeing it referenced in the media and on top lists and stuff – I can assure you that the thrill is most definitely not gone. When you work really hard to bring something you think is important into the world and it actually finds acceptance, it is an amazing feeling.

So once again, I want to thank everyone for being a part of it! I love you all.

Your boy,

JB

The Book:

Backstage Wall Street