Stay at Risk and Live Forever: Lessons from a Life of Curiosity, Grit, and Reinvention

by Byron Wien, Taylor Becker

Overview

Byron Wien, a legendary figure on Wall Street, shares his profound insights and life lessons in Stay at Risk and Live Forever. Co-authored by Taylor Becker, this memoir provides a unique blend of personal anecdotes and professional wisdom from Wien's decades-long career. Known for his famous "Ten Surprises" and "Life's Lessons" lists, Wien guides readers through the complexities of investment strategy, risk management, and lifelong learning.

The book delves into Wien's early challenges and triumphs, revealing the innovative strategies and intellectual curiosity that propelled him to success. From his humble beginnings, overcoming personal adversity, to becoming one of Wall Street’s most respected strategists, Wien’s journey is a testament to resilience and perseverance. Anecdotes such as Wien’s audacious prediction of Barack Obama’s presidential victory in 2008, his pioneering use of technical analysis in portfolio management, and his unique approach to networking provide readers with practical takeaways.

Stay at Risk and Live Forever also emphasizes the importance of humility and continuous learning. Wien’s reflections on his career and personal life offer invaluable lessons on how to stay intellectually engaged, adapt to changing market conditions, and embrace new opportunities. His dedication to nurturing professional relationships and building a robust network is a recurring theme, showcasing the significance of human connections in achieving long-term success.

Whether you're an investment professional, a business student, or someone interested in personal development, this memoir serves as an inspiring and instructive read. Learn how to navigate the complexities of both the financial world and life itself with wisdom from one of the greatest minds in finance. Embrace the principles of curiosity, grit, and reinvention, and discover how staying at risk can lead to a life of fulfillment and impact.

Stay at Risk and Live Forever is not just a memoir; it's a timeless guide to achieving enduring success, offering readers the tools and insights needed to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798891881181
Publisher:	Advantage Media Group, Inc.
Publication date:	11/12/2024
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

BYRON WIEN (1933–2023) was a renowned market strategist, famous for his annual “Ten Surprises” and “Life's Lessons” lists. He held an MBA with distinction from Harvard and served as chief US investment strategist at Morgan Stanley for twenty-one years. Later, he joined Blackstone as vice chairman. Wien was recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York Society of Security Analysts and was named one of the most influential people on Wall Street by New York Magazine in 2006.

TAYLOR BECKER is an MBA Candidate at Harvard Business School. Formerly a Vice President at Blackstone, Mr. Becker analyzed macroeconomic and financial market trends on the firm’s investment strategy team. He is a member of the Leadership Network at the American Enterprise Institute and the American Council on Germany. He received a BA with honors from the University of Pennsylvania, graduating summa cum laude.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Stay at Risk and Live Forever gives readers a deeply personal look into Byron Wien’s long and remarkable life. Despite a childhood marked by extreme hardship, Byron rose to great success on Wall Street through a mix of good luck, sheer determination, and an insatiable curiosity. In his book, Byron expounds on his famous 'Twenty Life Lessons' which he first published in 2012, giving readers a master class in how to live a life of continual learning and reinvention."
— Stephen A. Schwarzman
Chairman, CEO, and founder, Blackstone

"Byron Wien taught us so much through his annual Surprises, his Life Lessons, and his relentless curiosity. We are all fortunate to have one more opportunity to learn from the Oracle of Wall Street."
— Jonathan Gray
President and COO, Blackstone

"For many years at Morgan Stanley, I was so fortunate to learn from Byron with his extraordinary wisdom, creativity, tenacity, and wit, the core of which is now collected in Stay at Risk and Live Forever. This book is a great career and personal guide based on Byron’s technical insights and lessons learned from leading a life very well lived."
— Ruth Porat
President and CIO, Alphabet and Google

"Byron Wien was a friend and colleague for many decades. I will always be grateful to him for serving as interlocutor on my first memoir in 1996. For many years, I hosted his Ten Surprises lunch at my home on Long Island, where he dispensed much wisdom and original thinking, which I miss to this day."
— George Soros
Chair, Soros Fund Management

"Byron’s uncanny knack to peer around corners was on full display during our twenty-one-year partnership at Morgan Stanley. His lessons are an enduring testament to what he brought to Wall Street and to those of us who were fortunate to share in his extraordinary journey. Stay at Risk and Live Forever keeps Byron’s special spark alive for all to share."
— Stephen Roach
Yale University, former chief economist and Asia chair, Morgan Stanley

"Byron’s intellectual curiosity, coupled with some quick humor and a healthy dose of humility, differentiated him like no other on Wall Street. He was the master of bringing ideas and capital together. Of all Byron’s achievements, though, his Life Lessons will shape his legacy. This book offers valuable insights into these lessons, providing practical wisdom for readers’ personal and professional lives."
— Henry H. McVey
Partner and CIO, KKR's Balance Sheet

"Byron Wien was an icon in our industry. He had a special ability to focus in on the key issues facing the market at various times and was especially talented in drawing others into the conversation with worthwhile observations. He did this in a most friendly manner and was liked and respected by all who dealt with him."
— Lee Cooperman
Chairman and CEO, Omega Advisors

"Byron never ceased to amaze me, and he raised the bar yet again with this remarkable memoir. This book is a true page-turner, brimming with compelling and practical insights. I enthusiastically recommend it to all, as I’m certain you’ll find many valuable lessons that will contribute to your personal growth."
— Edward Hyman
Chairman, Evercore ISI; Vice Chairman, Evercore

"Many people have said great things about Byron. However, the one characteristic of Byron that is often missed is his very strong personality.

Over the years, I have enjoyed attending his summer luncheons in the Hamptons and watching Byron manifest his strong personality, jousting with the billionaires (including myself) who were in attendance. Most of these billionaires have very strong personalities of their own and are not afraid to share beliefs, but Byron ruled the luncheon conversations completely. In his quiet and direct way, he showed no compunction in telling attendees when they had spoken long enough—or, in other words, to 'shut up.' It was fun to hear him say in his 'Byronesque' way: get rid of the cell phone.

I always thought we needed someone like Byron in Washington, but he was too smart to go there."
— Carl Icahn
Chairman, Icahn Enterprises