A Summer Reading List With A Payments Twist

Happy Fourth of July to our faithful PYMNTS.com readers!

We know some of you are looking to forget work for a few days as you lie on a beach or bounce between barbeques, and that’s certainly your right. But for those of you who are truly obsessed with all things payments, we’ve compiled a summer reading (and watching) list for you to enjoy at your leisure this holiday weekend and beyond.

Whether you want to engage in some serious payments studies, lose yourself in some lighter work or simply have a laugh, we hope you enjoy this compilation of books, reports and videos from the PYMNTS.com staff.

Beach Reading

Debt of Honor – Tom Clancy (1994)

Tom Clancy is perhaps best known for his action-packed novels and the subsequent Rainbow Six video game series, but in Debt of Honor, its largely economic issues and attacks on the stock market that drive the plot forward. In this novel, the U.S. and Japan find themselves at war again after Japan launches an “economic attack” on the U.S., disrupting the stock market and sending investors into a panic. Complete with negotiations with investment bankers and the power of economic assaults, Debt of Honor paints an interesting picture of what a modern war might look like away from the battlefield.

The First Billion – Christopher Reich (2003)

Centering on a fictional former fighter pilot and CEO on the cusp of bringing his once-promising company public, The First Billion has been hailed for bridging the gap between suspenseful fiction and the complex world of international banking. Readers follow John “Jett” Gavallan as he is beset by accusations of fraud, an FBI investigation and a lover who isn’t what she seems. But, these plot points are just the beginning of this thriller, which has been lauded for its careful plot and fast-paced adventure.

Moneyball – Michael Lewis (2003)

One of the best-known pieces of sports-related nonfiction to come along in the past decade, Moneyball tells the tale of the financially disadvantaged Oakland Athletics and their mission to compete with the big boys while spending less. It’s a lesson that any payments innovator can take to heart, as General Manager Billy Beane’s philosophy of finding the “market inefficiency” is applicable to many an industry. Do yourself a favor and read the book rather than watch the 2011 movie, which should have been titled, “Two Hours of Brad Pitt Moping.”

The Recessionistas – Alexandra Lebenthal (2010)

The economy wasn’t the only thing collapsing in the fall of 2008. This debut novel from Alexandra Lebenthal, the president and CEO of Lebenthal & Co., follows two wealthy women and their families through a tongue-in-cheek parody of the Wall Street elite that takes readers from the height of their decadence through their downfall. The Recessionistas has been called a “romp of a book” by Vanity Fair and “dishy and divine,” by author William Cohan.

How U.S. Smartphone And Tablet Owners Use Their Devices For Shopping – Nielson (2012)

This report delves into the habits of smartphone and tablet shoppers, providing illuminating data about the most popular shopping activities on these devices. While it’s a short read, you’ll be sure to take away something valuable about each group, even if it’s simply the lesson that these two demographics should not be treated equally.

Heavier Lifting

Act Of Congress – Robert G. Kaiser (2013)

“Eye-opening” is the phrase that best describes “Act of Congress,” a book that has been praised by The Wall Street Journal for “naming names and sparing no one,” Kaiser takes on Congress, breaking down its handling of financial reform and analyzing efforts to balance power between Washington and Wall Street. The story has earned rave reviews from everyone from former member of the House of Representatives Lee Hamilton, to Walter Isaacson, and reviews say the work positions Kaiser as one of America’s preeminent journalists.

Bitcoin: A Peer-To-Peer Electronic Cash System – Satoshi Nakamoto (2008)

This academic paper (http://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf) is as shrouded in mystery as the tales of suspense we’ve recommended above. Penned by an author whose existence is disputed, what can’t be argued is this paper’s relevance in light of Bitcoin’s recent surge in popularity. At only nine pages, it’s still long enough for Nakamoto to break down the inner-workings of the virtual currency through detailed graphs and explanations. 

Too Big To Fail – Andrew Ross Sorkin (2009)

This book on the Wall Street banking crisis is known beyond literary and financial circles because of the HBO movie by the same name. But, four years after the book’s publication, its 539 pages remain a compelling and action-packed read. Sorkin makes behind-closed-doors dealings come alive, while explaining how major companies and government leaders raced to save the world economy in the days before the 2008 financial collapse.   

Payments Innovation and the Use of Cash – David S. Evans, Karen Webster, Gloria Knapp Colgan & Scott R. Murray (2013)

What if the way we measure cash use is wrong? This 16-page white paper applies a new methodology for analyzing cash use in 10 countries, including the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom, breaking down how cash is used and asking ‘Will cash really die?’ The answer may surprise you.

State of the US Online Retail Economy Q1 2013 – comScore (2013)

Retail growth has moved online. But, what do shoppers say they want from their eCommerce experience and how can retailers satisfy these demands? This less-than-an-hour-long video webinar includes eCommerce analysis from the first quarter of 2013 and essential breakdowns of multi-platform commerce, retail advertising and consumer sentiment.

PYMNTS Offbeat: The Video Collection

PayPal Galactic

Our Karen Webster captured the … erm … intrigue surrounding PayPal’s latest announcement in this piece, but sometimes, seeing is believing. If you want to let your payments imagination run wild during the holiday, catch a peak of PayPal Galactic’s video.

   

Barclaycard’s PayWag – Contactless Payments For Canines

Barclaycard pulled off one of the best April Fools jokes this year with the “launch” of its new Barclaycard PayWag line of NFC-enabled dog collars. The reason this video is so funny is because it’s not the stupidest use-case for NFC we’ve ever seen.

   

Elizabeth Warren Rap Video

An all-time favorite on PYMNTS.com, this video defies accurate description. It’s a man in a cowboy hat rapping about Elizabeth Warren. Just watch.

   

Have a great Fourth of July and a safe holiday weekend!