Barbarians at the Gate: The Fall of RJR Nabisco

How would you define the relationship between individual personalities, major corporate and Wall Street decision-making, and the economy at large? Use at least three examples from the book to back up your argument.

What were some of the key changes that occurred on Wall Street in the 1980s? What is their relevance in the framework of this book?

The authors rely on the literary motif of war throughout this book, which doubles as a key theme. How and why do they use it? Find at least four examples from this book to back up your argument. 

How do greed and corporate excess among this book’s key characters lead to broader social and economic impacts? Use at least three examples to back up your argument. 

What is the relationship between RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company (subsequently, RJR Nabisco) and the city of Winston-Salem? How does the history of this city and its people fit into the story of the RJR Nabisco buyout?

Barbarians at the Gate can also be considered a biography of F. Ross Johnson. What are the benefits and drawbacks of this approach to writing business history?

What were the some of the benefits and drawbacks of using LBOs in the 1980s, and how did the prevalence of this technique change the business environment of the era? Use at least three examples from this book to back up your argument.

Describe Ted Forstmann’s one-man crusade against junk bonds on Wall Street. How do the authors characterize his motivations? Do you agree with their assessment?