The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine Allusions and Cultural References

When authors give shout outs to other great works, people, and events, it's usually not accidental. Put on your super-sleuth hat and figure out why.

Literary and Philosophical References

Historical References

  • Warren Buffet (1.3, referenced throughout)
  • Benjamin Graham (2.19, referenced throughout)
  • John Greenblatt (2.36, referenced throughout)
  • Alan Greenspan (2.71, referenced throughout)
  • Bill Clinton (5.7)
  • Richard Posner (6.49)
  • Ben Bernanke (7.16)
  • Henry Paulson (8.60)

Pop Culture References

  • Gordon Gekko from Wall Street (1987) (3.4)
  • Jay Leno (6.29)