The Antisocial Network
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | September 7, 2021 |
| Founder | Ben Mezrich |
| Products | Non-fiction book |
The Antisocial Network: The GameStop Short Squeeze and the Ragtag Group of Amateur Traders That Brought Wall Street to Its Knees (commonly referred to as The Antisocial Network) is a 2021 non-fiction publication authored by Ben Mezrich that explores the GameStop short squeeze phenomenon.
The 2023 motion picture Dumb Money draws its inspiration from this book.
Background
This work chronicles the events surrounding the GameStop short squeeze, which resulted in the downfall of Melvin Capital after members of r/wallstreetbets alongside other retail investors initiated a short squeeze involving shares of companies such as GameStop, AMC, and Bed, Bath & Beyond.
In the United States, the book was issued by Grand Central Publishing on September 7, 2021, followed by its UK release through HarperCollins on September 16, 2021.
Reception
The book received varied critiques. While numerous reviewers, including Publishers Weekly, commended its fast pace and captivating storytelling, some criticized it for exaggerating aspects of the events. Giri Nathan from The New York Times highlighted Mezrich’s creative liberties in narrating the account. Meanwhile, Kirkus Reviews described it as "somewhat lengthy and uneven but ideal for alt-finance enthusiasts."
Film adaptation
Prior to the book’s publication, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer secured the rights to Mezrich's proposal. The resulting film, titled Dumb Money and directed by Craig Gillespie, premiered in the United States on September 22, 2023.