House of Lies covers the career of the prototypical MBA as he ventures from Columbia Business School to management consulting. Despite his style of referencing the main character as "you" throughout the text, he seems to be clearly describing himself. I appreciated his efforts at accurately portraying the consultant job and life. For instance, one choice quote describes why a consultant is hired. "Consultants are not hired as experts. This is a misconception common among nonconsultants: that they are hired for their knowledge... They are hired to accomplish in very rapid order a daunting, discreet piece of fact-finding and analysis that they are then required to present in exceedingly clear and convincing form to their client." The book does an excellent job portraying the grueling aspects of travel; read part 3, entitled "In the Client's Own Godforsaken Town".
This book, however, seems to be written less by someone against management consulting and more by someone against working in general. Many of the issues he brings up with the trade, especially in the first half of the book, are common problems with corporate life in general (e.g. being stuck in an office with windows that are covered by steel bookcases). Furthermore, he clearly is not satisfied by his lot and wishes to have been part of the HBS/McKinsey track as others are (as noted by his designation "McHarvard" throughout the book, as well as his several page dissertation on corporate leaders and their roots in HBS or McKinsey). While other discussions are laced with a certain sarcasm that makes you wonder his true belief on the issue, the persistence of "McHarvard" makes you realize he truly, truly regrets not being a part of this, what he seems to believe, the elite of the elite.
Read this book, but take with a grain of salt its constant negative attitude towards consulting life. Learn more the actual rituals, vocabulary, and consulting lessons it reveals (e.g. the power of listening and the good parter).
.