Connie Bruck's The Predators' Ball recounts the rise and fall of Drexel Burnham Lambert and its key figure, Michael Milken, focusing on the transformative impact of junk bonds on the 1980s corporate landscape. The book details Milken's innovative financing techniques, his cultivation of a network of high-roller clients, and the resulting boom in leveraged buyouts and hostile takeovers. Bruck explores the ethical ambiguities and ultimately illegal activities surrounding Milken's empire, highlighting the intense culture and immense profits of this era of Wall Street. The narrative further examines the prominent players involved, such as Carl Icahn and Ronald Perelman, showcasing their aggressive acquisition strategies and the significant consequences that ensued. The book concludes with the downfall of Drexel and Milken, triggered by legal repercussions stemming from their practices.