New Delhi, March 30 -- For those well versed with the world of high finance, very few firms come close to matching the mystique of Goldman Sachs. The investment banking giant is not only a Wall Street icon, but also a prolific talent factory for boardrooms and the corridors of power alike. Inevitably, it also draws fervent critics, who view the firm as emblematic of the financial shenanigans that underpin the recurring boom-and-bust cycles of our hyper-capitalist world.

Needless to say, the chief executive's role at Goldman Sachs is among the most coveted, and scrutinised, in finance. Now imagine occupying the hot seat during the 2008 global financial crisis.

In his newly published memoir, 'Streetwise: Getting to and Through Goldman Sac...