The first true insider's view of private equity, revealing what it takes to thrive among the world's most hungry dealmakers. "Brilliant... eloquently transports readers into the heroic world of private equity... [a] must-read." ?Forbes ONE OF THE MOST EXPECTED BOOKS OF THE SEASON?Bloomberg Private equity was once considered a niche investment. The wealth controlled by its leading firms now exceeds the GDP of some countries. Private equity has surpassed investment banking, as well as well-known names such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, as the premier destination for ambitious financial talent and the investment dollars of some of the world's largest pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and endowments. The firms' partners are at the pinnacle of the industry, content to earn "two and twenty"?a flat yearly fee of 2%.