Amazon.com

In Conquer the Crash, Robert Prechter explains why he thinks the boom times are behind us. Based on his interpretation of the Elliott Wave principle (an idea premised on the notion that mass investor psychology is what really drives markets), Prechter believes that the U.S. economy is about to enter into a deflationary depression that few investors are prepared to deal with. In making his case, Prechter assembles an impressive array of data that in essence suggests that the bill for the last 10 years of market excess is about to come due. The second half of the book shows how to avoid becoming "a zombie-eyed victim of the depression" and offers advice on protecting one's assets in a deflationary environment (cash is king). If there's any good news in the future that Prechter sees coming (other than how to avoid it), it's that all-out depressions don't last very long. Conquer the Crash should appeal to gloom-and-doom investors and to those desperately looking for a safe haven from the uncertainties of today's markets. --Harry C. Edwards ... Read more

Reviews (89)

Who are you going to believe?
Subscribers to Prechter's newsletters will have already read most of what is in this book. But for the other 99.99% of investors in the world who are not his subscribers, he has distilled down his reasoning and recommended course of actions into one convenient place.

This book is really two books within one set of covers -- the publisher even uses two different kinds of paper stock to differentiate the "books." In "book one," Prechter draws from history and shows charts & graphs (some going back 300 years) of what has happened in situations similar to what we are going through today. Known for his Elliott Wave analysis, Prechter does not stop there. He uses all of the tools of technical and fundamental analysis to methodically build his argument that the current market downturn is very far from over. Like a lawyer presenting a case, he covers everything from esoteric considerations such as rising federal debt as a percentage of GDP, to public psychology, to the ultimate impotence of the Fed. At the end of the section, the reader is left with the choice to either believe that history repeats, or that "this time it's different."

"Book two" presents practical advice of what to do now. He offers suggestions of what to do if you're in the stock market and your account is way down. He covers junk bonds, real estate, treasuries, pension plans, 401Ks, insurance, gold, and the whole spectrum of investments. To help the reader, he lists the safest banks in the country. He has eye-opening advice for people who are relying on government protection such as FDIC bank account insurance. Finally, he shows how to actually profit in the environment we are currently in.

Some disparage Prechter for his past fault of getting out of the market too early. It's a valid criticism; nevertheless, every one of his predictions are currently playing out. How do you argue with someone who is right?

Ultimately, the reader is left with a choice. One is to follow the financial mass media, economists and brokerage analysts who say recovery is just around the corner. The other is to look at history and Prechter's prediction, along with his track record of being only one of a handful of people to predict the magnitude of the market crash. Who are you going to believe?

Shows you how to profit from the coming depression.
In his new book, Robert Prechter makes a convincing case that we are heading for a deflationary depression, similar to the environment the U.S. saw in the early 1930's, and Japan has experienced for the last 12 years. Readers are shown how to prepare, and even prosper as this deflationary scenario unfolds. While most will be crushed by the weight of their own mortgage and credit card debt, readers of this book can take advantage of a once in a lifetime investment opportunity.

Prechter's understanding of technical, contrary, and economic analysis is exceptional. According to conventional wisdom of investors, traders, and the so-called "experts" on Wall Street, external events and fundamentals cause psychology and social mood to change. Flying in the face of this conventional wisdom, Prechter maintains that in reality the opposite is true; psychology and social mood cause underlying economic and market conditions to change. Once you view events from this perspective you can successfully anticipate conditions and properly adjust your investment techniques for maximum wealth appreciation and preservation.

Prechter identifies the many ways for readers to profit off the continuing stock market decline. Whether you trade stocks, bonds, commodities, or options you will find valuable advice in this book. It will have a permanent spot on my own bookshelf next to Prechter's earlier classic "At the Crest Of the Tidal Wave". Prechter's advice will surely be used in my own trading.

Interesting but...
I like Prechter because he's an interesting, unconventional thinker. But... I want to be careful and fair... doesn't his track record leave quite a bit to be desired?

At one time (I think the early 80's), I've read or heard he did well with his market predictions. But, not sure, didn't he get the 87 crash wrong in the sense that the market quickly recovered and that would've been the opportunity of a lifetime to buy? And, hasn't he's been bearish though another great opportunity, the incredible bull market of the latter 90's?

Finally, here we are in mid 2004, with Gold holding _above_ $400, the stock averages within spitting distance of their old highs, and the fed likely to raise interest rates because of the economic recovery (along with job creation) to keep inflation in check.

It just seems like Elliot Wave strings you along... there're always unlikely alternate counts and unlikely alternates to those that make you question why the unlikely of the unlikely seem to happen so often. I'm not trying to bash; would actually prefer to be more positive; but am simply expressing an honest dissapointment.

Highly Recommended!
Prophets of doom have always made entertaining reading. In his latest fire-and-brimstone warning, Robert R. Prechter, Jr., an experienced forecaster of long-term economic and social trends, says financial Armageddon is just around the corner. While his technical analysis ("Wave Theory") may appear to be stock-market astrology, readers may appreciate his examination of the basic functions of money and credit, his argument that worldwide central banking has fundamentally altered these functions, and his perceptive comparisons of the late 1990s with the Roaring Twenties. Prechter might have appealed to a broader audience by toning down his graphs and technical talk, and focusing instead on his investment suggestions: If the market turns down, you'll save your skin, but even in a bull market, keeping your money safe can't hurt. We recommend this book to anyone looking for bear-market investment advice, as well as those interested in technical analysis or an opinionated view of business and market cycles.

A poorly argued case, even for market bears.
Mr. Prechter is best known as a popular advocate for the Elliot Wave principle. He continues this school of thought in this book.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part attempts to persuade the reader that the US economy is headed for a deflationary depression. The second part recommends actions to prepare and prosper during a deflationary depression. This specific edition of the book also includes an update written in 2004. (The original book was written in 2002.)

First of all, with any investment book review, it is important to understand the reviewer's biases. My belief is that the US will enter some type of unwinding, either through an extended securities bear market, or more severe overall imbalance. I maintain a minor belief in technical analysis but do not rely on it.

Elliot Wave analysis is, at its core, a technical analysis methodology. Elliot Wave claims to find a recurring pattern in short term, long term, and ultra-long term market price charts. What is gravely missing, however, is some sort of explanation or justification for its supposed utility. Many schools of technical analysis, for example, give plausible explanations for why "resistance levels" exist based on market or individual investor psychology. This is completely missing from Mr. Prechter's writings and thus he fails to distinguish himself from a long line of failed data miners.

This missing and crucial "why" is the most glaring hole in this book. While other writers attempt to prove a thesis through a chain of reasoning and supporting data, Mr. Prechter skips steps in his thesis. The holes are not glaring to a casual reader, but a person with some breadth in economic knowledge will easily spot large omissions.

For example, even if you accept the disjointed framework of technical and fundamental analysis, the fundamental arguments for deflation are seriously flawed. Note, also, that Elliot Wave principles claim only to predict the performance of securities. Thus, Elliot Wave is agnostic with respect to the inflation vs. deflation debate. Therefore, Mr. Prechter's arguments for deflation are purely fundamental in basis. This is where his loose foundation really comes apart. His understanding of the Federal Reserve functions are contrary to those written by many other writers and scholars, including many who share similar contempt for the Federal Reserve. This is rather crucial, because the specific authorities and obligations of the Federal Reserve can determine whether a presumed economic failure results in deflation or hyper-inflation. Convincing cases for deflation have been made, but Mr. Prechter does not offer one.

Where many market bears thoroughly argue and carefully build their conclusions, Mr. Prechter glosses over far too many details to arrive at this deflation conclusion and blatantly ignores examples that contradict his thesis. He uses the US depression of 1929 as his sole argument that monetary policy is powerless to prevent deflation, forgetting that Federal Reserve authority was much lesser back then. Meanwhile, he ignores the numerous historical hyper-inflation examples caused by monetarism, such as 1970's US "stagflation", the recent collapses of Argentinean and Mexican currency, or even popular historical cases such as the South Sea Company bubble and post World War One Germany. Mr. Prechter is either grossly ignorant or deliberately avoiding such cases. Neither speaks well for him.

Most importantly, he sets up his own case of why he is wrong. He admits that there is a small probability that he could be wrong and that hyper-inflation will set in. Mr. Prechter says that this would be indicated by a declining US dollar and a price of gold reaching above $400 per ounce. Both are now clearly true, yet in his 50-page 2004 appendix, he conveniently ignores this fact and chooses to emphasize only his market index prognostication.

The rest of his fundamental case rests on material already beaten to death by other bearish scholars. He writes about historical price to earnings ratios, the contrarian indications given by popular finance magazines and long-to-short ratios, for example. His fundamental arguments are not thoroughly presented and escape ridicule only because others have argued the case before him. He adds nothing new here.

Since the first part of the book is so poorly supported, the second part regarding how to survive a depression is irrelevant. His recommendations generally apply only to deflation and would not work in a hyper-inflation or zero-inflation economy.

When one supports an already argued case, the burden of proof is small. However, if one dares to present a different case as Mr. Prechter has done, one needs to cover all well known and reasonably applicable cases at a minimum. Mr. Prechter has failed in this regard and by his own criteria. ... Read more

Book Description

“Bernstein has become a guru to a peculiarly ’90s group: well-educated, Internet-powered people intent on investing well—and with minimal ‘help’ from professional Wall Street.”--Robert Barker, BusinessWeek

William Bernstein is one of today’s most unlikely financial heroes. A practicing neurologist, he used his self-taught investment knowledge and research to build a popular investor’s website. Now, in the plain-spoken The Intelligent Asset Allocator, he shows independent investors how to build a diversified portfolio—without the help of a financial advisor. A breath of fresh air for investors tired of overly technical investment tomes, this book will help investors:
• Learn the risk/reward characteristics ofvarious investment types
• Understand and apply portfolio theory for an improved risk/reward ratio
• Sharpen their focus, and take control of their investment programs William Bernstein (North Bend, OR) runs a website—www.efficientfrontier.com—known for its quarterly journal of asset allocation and portfolio theory, Efficient Frontier. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

An Essential Tool For Serious Investors
Dr. Bernstein's excellent presentation in this text of Modern Portfolio Theory (in particular, mean-variance analysis) and his three-step approach to asset allocation should not be overlooked by the serious investor or by investment advisors. While some background in statistics would be helpful to the reader, don't run away if you are not a mathmetician. Read the chapters slowly, one at a time, and you'll gain valuable insights into the all-important asset allocation decision. No other text I've read to date better explains Modern Portfolio Theory and the underlying theories of asset allocation to the lay investor.

Dr. B effectively presents additional arguments for value investing and tax-efficient investing. The last chapter also contains a very useful reading list, providing a synopsis of books by Malkeil, Bogle, Haugen, and a host of web sites which can provide valuable data and reading. Investors should not overlook Dr. Bernstein's own web site, which is frequently updated with his newsletters.

The very beginning investor should perhaps first explore Bogle's Common Sense on Mutual Funds, and then explore texts by Burton Malkeil, Larry Swedroe, and perhaps a few others. This text can then be dived into (patiently). Bruce Temkin's recent text, The Terrible Truth About Investing, should then follow, lest the individual investor believe that he or she knows it all.

I highly recommend this text as an addition to every serious individual investor's library, and to investment advisors desiring to explore the fundamentals of Modern Portfolio Theory.

Very good but with some inconsistencies.
This book is a very good read that kept my attention. The book focuses on low-cost index fund oriented investing across various types of investments and is a good companion book to A Random Walk Down Wall Street. The author looks at both investment theory and how the theory applies to actual market history. Although the theory can involve a little too much math at times for some readers, this is not a problem as the author's point comes across clearly.

Although the book was generally excellent, some of the author's points are inconsistent. For example, the author talks at length about how future returns are unpredictable but later states that stock prices are overvalued and due for a downturn. Additionally, the author stresses how periodic portfolio rebalancing is important in asset allocation but then says that there is a strong argument for never rebalancing due to tax consequences. However, these inconsistencies are insignificant to the work as a whole and I strongly recommend this book.

The Intelligent Asset Allocator: How to Build Your Portfolio
Bernstein has become a guru to a peculiarly '90s group: well-educated, Internet-powered people intent on investing well-and with minimal 'help' from professional Wall Street

Outstanding all the way around
I've read many investment books but this one is a cut above. Bernstein is a gifted author and lays a path for the reader to reduce investment risk while increasing investment returns though, what else, intelligent asset allocation. He covers the tradeoffs of mutual funds and stock picking but the real meat of the reading is the benefits of asset allocation (spreading your investments into classes that move independently of one another) and how one might implement such a strategy. He stops short of telling you which strategy but he does provide sufficient data for you to get started.

Bernstein is a gifted writer and a powerful, logical presenter of what should be an easily managable financial strategy. It should be the only book you need on investing.

Don't be scared
When you pick up this book and look through it the graphs my scare you. Don't let your math phobia kick in. William Bernstein does a great job of walking you through each chapter. In fact at the end of one of the first chapters he tells you to put the book down for a few days and just digest the information. I would rate myself as at least an investor with moderate investing knowledge. I found this book helpful and the charts held validate the points Mr. Bernstein is making. I suspect I will refer to it often when I have a guestion about investing. ... Read more

Book Description

A CFP® Study Guide that delivers what you need to succeed!

This quick study guide for candidates preparing to take the CFP® Certification Examination covers the bare-bones essentials needed to pass this challenging exam in a logical and easy-to-absorb manner. Covering some of the most important disciplines of financial planning–– insurance, employee benefit, investment, income tax, retirement, estate, and general planning–– this text provides a no-nonsense approach to studying that includes:

• A highly logical and efficient format
• An in-depth outline of core essentials
• Explanations of all relevant exposures complete with solutions and practical examples
• Key points, exam tips, multiple choice, and mini—case study questions
• Mnemonic devices and study techniques to reinforce key points
• A format that directly parallels the CFP Board’s topic requirements

For students who have been through the traditional CFP® educational programs and want a book that brings it all together, Rattiner’s Review for the CFP® Certification Examination, Fast Track Study Guide keeps students organized, on track, and focused on what they need to succeed. In addition to its value as a quick-reference guide to supplement all CFP® texts and self-study materials, the Guide also serves as an important one-stop resource for financial services professionals who want information in a hurry.

"Jeff Rattiner has developed yet another valuable addition to our profession. Rattiner’s Review for the CFP® Certification Examination develops an excellent, comprehensive framework to prepare a student for the CFP® exam. The breadth and thoroughness of this book encompassing all 101 topics necessary for mastery will help students excel in their test preparations. "
–Stephen P. Wetzel, CFP®
Program Director and Adjunct Professor, New York University’s CFP® program

"I commend Jeff for providing relevant information in a clear and understandable manner for anyone in or thinking of entering the financial planning field. The book brings the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards education required 101 topics into focus. I definitely recommend the book to anyone preparing for the national certified financial planner examination."
–Kenneth M. Huggins, PhD, CFP®
Chair, Finance Department
Director, Financial Planning Certificate Program
Metropolitan State College of Denver ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I Used This Book To Pass The CFP Exam
I found this book to be an accurate and concise review of the 101 topics covered on the CFP cerfifcation exam. This book was written in a great "review notes" format, much like I would take notes on a complex subject. I would highly recommend this book as a great CFP certification exam review. It is filled with only what you need to know- no extraneous commentary.

Very useful book
This book is an incredibly detailed outline covering the vast selection of topics included on the CFP exam. Because of the outline format, I wouldn't recommend trying to use this book as a way to learn material for the first time. What it is ideal for is as a reminder of details and distinctions, improving your recall of topics learned in some prior class or self-study, but in much more detail. Because this book is updated each year, it references up-to-date tax dollar amounts you'll need for the exam. ... Read more

Book Description

Your own strengths, style, and personality­­and the steps found in this book­­can revitalize your trading program!

"Van's book gets directly to the heart of what it takes to be a successful trader. It's the best book I've read on trading successfully; not fluff or hype like so many others."­­Tom Basso, President, Trendstat Capital Management, Inc.

Reviews (86)

Groundbreaking Research in Layman's Terms
Dr. Van Tharp's excellent book "Trade Your Way to Financial Freedom" is truly a work of groundbreaking proportions. It is the single most important book I have ever read on the subject of trading sucessfully. Using a very organized and readable format, Dr. Tharp leads the reader step by step through the maze of myths about trading and arrives at the true meaning of the Holy Grail -- that the secret of success is inside you. Dr. Tharp serves as your personal guide, taking you safely through the treacherous terriroty surrounding information about trading systems. In the end we are much wiser for the experience, arriving at our destination stronger for having completed the journey. In short, we gain the wisdom that comes with knowing one's Self and become very clear on what works...and what doesn't. By interviewing thousands of successful traders during a 15 year period, Dr. Tharp was able to find out what was common in their individual systems of success. He then created a "model" of those variables, arriving at these basic truths: Low risk ideas combined with appropriate exit strategies and position sizing create the foundation for developing successful trading systems. Dr. Tharp shares his research with the reader, supporting his conclusions with rich examples. After finishing Tharp's book, even a layman has the tools to design a highly profitable trading system that contains all the strengths common to the best trading systems but also "fits" that particular trader's personality. This book transformed my experience of trading and allowed me to trade with the confidence that comes from knowing the truth about what works. Since implementing Dr. Tharp's strategies to my trading style, the results I have experienced are nothing short of miraculous. Quite frankly this is the first and last book you will ever need if you are serious about trading (or investing) your way to financial freedom. If you want to develop a highly profitable, low risk trading system that produces consistently strong returns, then read this book! All you need is an open mind and the courage to put some of Dr. Tharp's innovative research to the test. I promise you, if you read this book and apply Dr. Tharp's proven concepts, your trading will immediately improve and your bottom line will stay in the black. Without a doubt, Dr. Tharp's book is the best "investment" I have ever made. My return on this "position" is incalculable...

One of the best trading books I've ever read.
With all of the hoopla surrounding "trading" recently, it's interesting that many, if not most, would be traders don't know how to get started.

I should know. I'm a professional, full time trader and I'm constantly being asked,"John, how can I daytrade and make a living?" After reading Van Tharp's new book, I finally have a great answer to that question.

Sometimes I think I've read almost everything published on trading. Some are so basic they insult the reader, in their naïveté. Others are very advanced technical treatises. Van Tharp's book is refreshing. I found it a great read...a blend of the foundational concepts such as "fundamental analysis" with very advanced concepts including "expectancy"...a topic that very few traders understand at all.

Along the way, Tharp gets the reader involved by asking plenty of self-analysis type questions. Questions designed to immerse the reader in the complete process of trading. From understanding biases and success roadblocks...to designing and implementing a winning system...it's all here.

Whether you're brand new to trading, or a seasoned pro...there's plenty of material to dig into here. A lot of meat...very little fluff. I rate it five starts. Get it. Read it. Understand it.

And best of SKILL in your trading!

where's the success?
I bought and read it. So where's the success? I mean the author's success as trader? I pay to see his trading statements for the last 15 years. Got to be audited statements. I mean, he says he knows what the holy grail is, how it (the market) works, how one makes money at it (the market). So he's got to have broken it right? Trading that is. (!)

Or, are we talking about a DIFFERENT KIND of success???!! Success in selling the idea that he "knows" all there is know about making money at the markets? Terribly cinic in my opinion. People need to beleive in anything. Beleive Van. You are contributing to his bank account.

Not one SINGLE piece of evidence is available about his success (at trading the markets). The other success is well known.

Oh Aristotle, you were right! Not all those who attend the games (the olympics) are players. Some are cynics as you say and so many spectators (consumers) for both the cynics and the players.

A player!
(for 4 years)

So, I bought it, read it and returned it. But go ahead.

Great read - but superficial
This book introduces the reader to the importance of position sizes exit strategies , and risk management. These are all important aspects. However , inspite of the fact that the author repetedly mentions about the importance of position sizing , it is dealt with at a superficial level at best.
It looks like you have to pay additional money to go to Dr Tharp's site and buy his products , this book skims along the surface for what is supposed to be the main topic of the book

a joke
If the author knows it all why doesn't he trade? If I knew it all about trading I wouldn't do anything else and I certainly wouldn't teach it ...
Simplistic, aimed for the ignorant, hopeful reader. The concept exposed is very simple: the market is random. If you bet 1% you can't loose ... at the end of the year you win. I mean Van writes that even without a method you make money like this ... you got to be kidding me! ... Read more

Book Description

THE BUSINESSWEEK, USA TODAY, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BUSINESS BESTSELLER!

The bestselling guide to buying stocks, from the founder of Investor's Business Daily­­now completely revised and updated

When it was first published, How to Make Money in Stocks hit the investing world like a jolt, providing readers with the first in-depth explanation of William J. O'Neil's innovative CAN SLIM investing method. Five years later, O'Neil, founder for the industry icon Investor's Business Daily, revised his classic text and provided readers with a newer glimpse on how the average investor can make money in the equities market.

This third edition of How to Make Money in Stocks has been revised and updated with new chapters designed to help investors increase their performance. New discussions include:

• Greater clarification of the key CAN SLIM investment strategy
• Expanded analysis of the general market from the top of year 2000 to the market bottom of 2001
• New models of the greatest stock market winners that provide more basis for the ongoing effectiveness and superior performance of the CAN SLIM strategy
• Fresh stock charts featured in two colors for easier analysis of trends
• And an invaluable guide on how to maximize both Investor's Business Daily and www.investors.com to find winning stocks

Like his international bestselling 24 Essential Lessons for Investment Success, which stayed on international business bestseller lists for close to 6 months in 2000, How to Make Money in Stocks is the best reference for the individual investor in how to stay afloat and ahead in the rocky and volatile equities markets of the 21st century.

Reviews (158)

An excellent book for the beginner to moderate investor.
This is an excellent book for someone starting out in investing. It teaches you WJ O'Neil's CANSLIM method of picking stocks.

What's CANSLIM you ask? CANSLIM is a method of picking stocks developed by William J. O'Neil. He's taken his years of investing knowledge and developed a system of picking stocks that has repeatedly proven to be successful.

The book takes you through each part of this method from quarterly earnings through annual earnings, when to buy, trading volume, stock leaders, institutional support and market direction.

He also teaches you when to sell a stock even in a bad market. He'll show you how to cut your losses and why it's important to sell at the right time to prevent major losses on a stock.

Finally he takes you through some of the best stocks in recent history and shows you how to read the signs that they put out. This will teach you how to recognize today's stocks that are ready to burst from the pack and soar to new highs.

This book pushes WJ O'Neil's newspaper, Investor Business Daily, as it has much of the information needed to use the CANSLIM method. But even without his paper this book teaches you the methods needed to make money in the stock market.

All in all I think this is a great book for investors.

The Book I Started Trading With...
Ten years ago, this book probably launched tens of thousands of eager investors on a journey towards riches. Two years ago, it probably ruined thousands more. I'm not saying that O'Neil's methodology doesn't work. In fact, I have great respect for O'Neil and this book because it launched me on my journey into the markets just a few years ago. The only drawback is that this methodology works best in a bull market environment. When you hit a persistent bear market like we've seen for nearly 2 years now, you are basically sitting in cash spending endless hours looking for that perfect stock to break out of a long-term consolidation. If you don't have the time to search chart-after-chart every night for the perfect setup then you should try a great investment book I just heard about called the 401(k) MarketBuster. The 401(k) MarketBuster will probably find you the same, or better, account returns in the long-run that you'd find with intermediate-term trading; at a fraction of the research time (literally minutes a year). If you are like me and have the time and inclination to learn more about the markets so you can find that elusive "perfect" setup to trade (Lord help you), then you might want to take a look at Dave Landry's book on swing trading. It will offer you more opportunities more often.

The best you'll find.
This is the best system you'll find anywhere. I originally worked as a broker for a firm that followed the Bill O'Neil philosophy and that firm made $$ for their clients consistently. Now I follow this system and trade for my own accounts with even better results. My last stock, TASR, was up roughly 100% (much more on margin) in one month and I found this stock by using the fundamental & technical analysis that I've learned through Investors Business Daily along with dailygraphs (www.dailygraphs.com). His strategy of cutting losses quick and letting winners ride is necessary to preserve capital and maximize gains. AAII (American Association of Individual Investors) rated this as the best performing strategy over several years period.

sparse on some concepts, but relevant in bull markets
First, I would have to comment that the criticism about IBD as a normal newspaper is unfair. Its analysis and opinions are encapsulated in the numbers, systematically compiled for any common stocks worth considering as investments. Any individual investor would see that at one dollar, IBD is a bargain. "How to Make Money in Stocks" is the guide to understanding the ratings of IBD, as well as a clear introduction to O'Neill's investing philosophy. The prevailing market conditions are very important to the success of CANSLIM, and reviews of the book written in the depths of the 2000-2002 stock funk may be colored indeed.

I, too, had some questions about "pivot points," etc. that seem sparsely described. This is because you are supposed to look at the charts. If this isn't enough, look at more charts (the book has plenty). "Pivot points" and "accumulation" are not exact concepts, so one has to practice looking at the chart and acquire an understanding of these concepts. "How to Make Money in Stocks" is one of those rare books that relies on the graphical presentation of data as much as copy writing to communicate its sometimes fuzzy ideas.

This book is superb at describing the CANSLIM method on analysis, which can be done these days with free internet sources. An excellent description for novices of investing research.

My advice would be to pick up this book, read it, buy a copy of IBD, and keep track of ten or so stocks for 60 days or so. If the market goes up and these stocks don't, look for a better method. If you need more comforting words in the newspaper to guide your money decisions, drop this stuff and hire some investment professional.

Invest comfortably
I have been investing in the stock market since 1998. I've made my share and lost my share. However, it was always a chaotic affair. I wasn't investing based on anything solid, it was just going with the market. Besides who could lose in the 90's? Then came 2000 and 2001.
Lucky for me I ran into this book and let me tell you something, it has made me comfortable with the way I invest. I don't need to keep up with the market every minute and I don't stress as much. I also understand better how to read graphs and how to interpret market activities. A book well worth it.
It does mention the Investors Business Daily paper a lot because they publish it but it's a worthy paper also so I don't see anything wrong with that. ... Read more

Book Description

Investment pros know: skyrocket stocks and high-flying money managers come and go, but you only achieve superior long-term results by sticking with a sound, prudent, well-conceived investment plan. In The Management of Investment Decisions, pioneering financial consultant Donal Trone, along with William R. Allbright and Philip R. Traylor, presents the proper ways to: Analyze your client's current position and potential; Develop an Investment Policy Statement that all involved will read and, more importantly, understand; Approach, understand and build the portfolios of high net worth families. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

What Fiduciaries, Trustees, and Professionals need to know
This book is excellent.If you are responsible for investing otherpeople's money as a professional, on the board of a foundation or endowmentor are someone who is a trustee on an account, this book is for you.Thisbook goes over important guidelines that should be followed to protect thefunds and yourself.

Sound Advice on Prudent Asset Allocation
The text was clear, concise, and provided valuable practical insight into the role of an investment advisor with respect to a well-developed investment policy statement and asset allocation methodology. The readingwill be of great value to any portfolio consultant looking to manage fundsprudently and with success. ... Read more

Book Description

Sound, sensible advice from a hero to frustrated investors everywhere

William Bernstein's The Four Pillars of Investing gives investors the tools they need to construct top-returning portfolios­­without the help of a financial adviser. In a relaxed, nonthreatening style, Dr. Bernstein provides a distinctive blend of market history, investing theory, and behavioral finance, one designed to help every investor become more self-sufficient and make betterinformed investment decisions. The 4 Pillars of Investing explains how any investor can build a solid foundation for investing by focusing on four essential lessons, each building upon the other. Containing all of the tools needed to achieve investing success, without the help of a financial advisor, it presents:

• Practical investing advice based on fascinating history lessons from the market
• Exercises to determine risk tolerance as an investor
• An easy-to-understand explanation of risk and reward in the capital markets

Reviews (42)

Very Good Overview of Investing Principles and Applications
I am an avid fan of Bernstein and his fellow travelers in the Efficient Frontier, Sharpe, and other innovations of Modern Portfolio Theory, so I was disappointed to see so little of this valuable information included in this book. I understand that this book was meant to be less intimidating to the novice and intermdiate investor alike, and he doesn't disappoint with accessible articulation and a witty style that should appeal to every reader.

The two chapters on asset allocation, the ~one~ thing the investor is able to control, and the one thing which directly rewards the investor, doesn't explain the "frontiers" and why four assets or ten is best for the individual investor. The efficient frontier in layman's terms would have been especially helpful. On the other hand, dauntless pages were dedicated to diminishing returns (DR), which were clearly adumbrated for their importance.

Then Bernstein concentrates on Vanguard investment opportunities, with only brief reference to ETFs (exchange traded funds). Vanguard is to be commended for bringing index-investing to the fore, but Vanguard's steep minimums and stiff penalties are impediments for the smaller investor and are downright subversive to the investor who does not believe in a "buy-and-hold" theory of investing. Many ETFs are more asset specific and can be had without excess cost through a discount broker. I wish Bernstein had discussed the merits and demerits of "buy-and-hold" as opposed to, say the Fabian and other methods of entering and exiting the market on certain MDAs (moving daily averages).

I found Bernstein's lack of mention of mid cap stocks throughout the book puzzling. None of the hypothetical asset allocations in the book have any room for mid caps, which can enhance performance and reduce risk. For Bernstein, there are only large and small market capitalization - no middle capitalization. Also, foreign funds and ETFs of foreign assets (such as EFA for MSCI-EAFE index) are considered important, but get only passing and ambiguous comments. The graphs and tables are helpful for the most part, but many are out of date, and some lacked a marked differentiation in plotting more than one overlap, which made for challenging deciphering.

The writing is effusive and accessible, making it a good introductory book and a refresher for bulls and bears alike. Overall, I found the book to be a tad bit too garrulous, but easy to read and informative . My cavils and criticisms aside, this book is truly one of the best books on investment in print.

Best investment book I have ever read
A number of reviewers comment on Bernstein's aversion to active managers.

This is a point which has been demonstrated again and again in the financial literature. See especially 'A Random Walk Down Wall Street' by Burton Malkiel and both books by John Bogle. Although some managers, historically, outperform, they are not the same managers who outperform in the future. This has been demonstrated again and again with different sample periods and different data: it is the dirty secret of the investment management industry, that the rational investor would choose the low fee option.

In the institutional pension fund (defined benefit) market, where fees are *much* lower and sophisticated consultants advise the trustees, you would expect it to be much easier to select good active managers. The reality, which Bernstein addresses, is that institutional pension funds make *more* use of passive or indexed funds, than individuals do.

Bernstein's book brilliantly summarises the main points about investing for the individual investor today:

1. stock returns are likely to be a lot lower in the future, than in the past
2. fees on funds are going to be a very important influence on final returns (1 or 2% of 7% annualised returns hurts a lot more than of 13% annualised returns)
3. since it is impossible to know (in advance) who the superior fund managers are going to be, it is better to lodge the majority of money in index funds, which will provide a return, long run average, better than 2/3rds of money managers, at a far cheaper cost

But the book is much subtler and deeper than this. It looks at how we get 'valuation bubbles' like the recent dot-com/ telecoms boom, and how humans consistently make investment mistakes for deep seated psychological reasons. It helps you to look sceptically at a financial 'advice' industry, that is really there to make a living off your hard earned savings.

Bernstein's bias is towards value investing and he correctly points out that it is possible to pursue this investing style using 'value tilted' index funds, with low fees. Although value as a style has massively outperformed growth over the last 3 years (to the tune of 40% aggregate), it is still a point worth taking in. When stocks in general are expensive (as they still are on any quantitative basis), cheap stocks can still be the way to go.

Reading this book, along with David Chilton's 'The Wealthy Barber' and the books by Burton Malkiel and John Bogle, is likely to be among the most rewarding things you can do for your personal wealth, long term.

Excellent Read - Wonderful Advice
This book is for everyone from the novice investor to the most savvy investor. The author does a wonderful job of explaining concepts and ideas without getting caught up in a bunch of analytical data and graphs. I wish this book had been published when I was much younger. All young people justing getting started in the work world should take the time to read this book. It will definitely help you later. Definitely worth the time to read this book!

Win by not losing.
William Bernstein, market historian, scholar, and strategist, writes this new book with the confidence of his experience and the courage of his convictions, just as he did in his earlier "The Intelligent Asset Allocator." The work is an expansion on the theme that you cannot beat the market by timing or hiring active professional fund managers, so allocate, sit back, and enjoy the long-term ride. His advice is equally applicable to the novice as well as the veteran investor. You get a short course on what market returns you should expect, why you cannot beat the market, why the professionals can't help you, and how to set up your own portfolio using index funds. In other words, he has no use for the investment business other than the index funds it produces.
Chapter 5 on Manias is an excellent history of economic progress, and obviously the groundwork that led to his soon-to-be-published "The Birth of Plenty" (mid-2004) on the origins of the West's affluence. I particularly appreciated his credit to Hyman Minsky on the pattern of bubbles. Although Kindleberger has covered much of the same ground and with greater visibility in the press, Minsky's contributions are more insightful to understanding the distinct nature of economic manias.
Another interesting tidbit is his portrayal of technology as being, in general, a bad business endeavor. Bill Fleckenstein has made this point frequently that technology, unlike Buffett's desired "consumer monopoly," is easily outmoded and supplanted with the new, new thing. Let's just be thankful that earlier entrepreneurs took the time and the risk to create progress.
The true worth of the book comes under the heading of "Why investors lose money." This is the cornerstone of Bernstein's philosophy stating that if you can keep from losing, you will win:
(1) Instead of joining the herd mentality, get out when "everybody" knows that something is a good thing. It only means that everyone who wanted to buy already has; there are no buyers left. Prices can only fall.
(2) Overcome overconfidence by checking the performance figures. Few professionals ever "beat the market." Why do you think you can?
(3) Understand that all investments return to the mean, thus past performance is no indication of future performance.
(4) Don't trade for excitement. Look elsewhere for entertainment.
(5) Keep your eye on the long term and don't be panicked out by emotional short term swings.
(6) Realize that there are no "great companies." The 1000+% returns are few and far between.
(7) Accept that the market is random. Therefore don't get fooled into believing patterns repeat. Index funds are the only way to go.
(8) Check your accounting carefully. Don't overstate your successes while forgetting your losses. Keep track of the portfolio's total return.
(9) Don't get taken for a ride by the investment industry. Trust no one.
It gets a little trickier when he begins building portfolios. Using representative stereotypes, he sets up hypothetical investments using US stock index funds made up of large caps, small caps, large value, small value, REITs, plus Foreign securities. The remaining assets should be split up between cash and bonds (long and short). Your results will be dependent on how well you can approximate this theories. Another catch comes with "rebalancing." Bernstein's advice here is also well taken. Sell out a portion of the superior performers to bring your percentages back in line to their desired weigh in the portfolio and re-allocate those funds into the underperformers to bring their numbers up to desired percentages. Regardless of his distain for decision making, this does require skill and action on your part, but Bernstein has given you enough help to get the job done correctly.

The Best Investing Book I've Read
I began seriously investing in stocks and bonds about three years ago. Since that time, I've read perhaps a dozen books on investing. This is my favorite. It has all the elements a beginning investor needs: clear explanations of basic investing concepts; lucid and entertaining prose; a brief history of the market to illustrate for the reader both the manias and extreme pessimism that have sometimes gripped it; and, most importantly, numerous cautionary tales about the industry that helps beginners make their investment choices.

Bernstein identifies four pillars for building a portfolio: theory, history, psychology and the business. The pillar of theory is about the conceptual framework of investing. This potentially could have been a very difficult section, but Bernstein makes it very readable even though he introduces a couple of ideas he claims most brokers are not familiar with. The second pillar of history is about how markets in the West have behaved in the past. Bernstein argues this history is important to remember so that investors develop reasonable expectations for what their investment will do and recognize both the warning signs of an overheated market or the symptoms of a depressed one.

The third pillar of psychology helps the reader to combat the usual mistakes beginning investors make: excessive trading, following hot stocks and funds, high fees, overconfidence, etc. Bernstein says the investor must learn to emotionally detach him- or herself from the investing crowd while still keeping a healthy respect for all he doesn't know. The fourth pillar of business emphasizes that those who provide investment services for you are often your worst enemy to getting a decent return on your money

This is a great book, but not a perfect one. I wish Bernstein had explained some things more fully - especially in the first section of the book on theory. But what he does explain, he explains well enough to catapult the reader to the next level of understanding, should he or she choose to go there. Some critics of the book might argue that Bernstein says nothing new. This is true. But the effectiveness of the book is in the way it is presented and how it is written. I recently read John Bogle's book "Common Sense on Mutual Funds". It is a superb book, and has many (but not all) of the same points as "The Four Pillars of Investing". But it fails to engage the reader as well as this book does. ... Read more

Book Description

The million-copy bestseller, now fully up-to-date and ready for post-dot-com investors.

Using the dot-com crash as an object lesson in how not to manage your portfolio, here is the best-selling, gimmick-free, irreverent, vastly informative guide to navigating the turbulence of the market and managing investments with confidence.

A Random Walk Down Wall Street is well established as a staple of the business shelf, the first book any investor should read before taking the plunge and starting a portfolio. With its life-cycle guide to investing, it matches the needs of investors at any age bracket. Burton G. Malkiel shows how to analyze the potential returns, not only for stocks and bonds but also for the full range of investment opportunities, from money market accounts and real estate investment trusts to insurance, home ownership, and tangible assets like gold and collectibles.

Whether you want to verse yourself in the ways of the market before talking to a broker or follow Malkiel's easy steps to managing your own portfolio, this book remains the best investing guide money can buy. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

An academic's view of Wall Street
A Random Walk takes the reader on a path from the point of view of an academic, rather than that of a trader. That is sufficient to make this book different from most other stock market tomes. Malkiel's premise is that neither the the average investor nor the professional trader can expect to perform better that the "market" over any significant period of time. He considers market events to be random, and thus unpredictable. He offers piles of data to support his contentions, and his arguments are compelling.

Yet, those who trade using technical analysis scoff at books such at this, claiming their systems consistently beat the averages. The author points to the fact that most managers of mutual funds, pensions etc. fail to perform better than index funds and Malkiel recommends that public investors place their investment money into broad based index funds. The S&P 500 Index fund is recommended, as it is unrealistic to expect fund managers to perform better.

This classic has been around for 30 years and this revised edition is worth your time, especially if you have never read an earlier edition. Just be aware that many technical traders consider this to be a work of fiction.

Malkiel has an irrefutable position (paradoxically)
Burton G. Malkiel's "Random Walk," first published over 30 years ago, is now a classic text on investing and is surely worth anyone's time and effort. Simply written, Malkiel conveys the debate over the validity of the efficient market hypothesis with ease and effectiveness; this edition's updated comments on the dot-com craze are insightful and probably worth the price of the book themselves.

While I support the view that fundamental and technical analysis generally offer very little in the way of helpful advice, I believe that Malkiel's view that no investment strategy can beat the market over the long run is, to put it simply, irrefutable. Therein, however, lies its problem.

Suppose, for instance, that I have this remarkable strategy of buying and selling stocks which has earned me consistant long run returns on the market. Of course, if I tell anyone the specifics of this strategy and how wonderful it works, they will want to start using it for themselves. But then my strategy will stop working; the more people use a particular strategy, the harder it is for that strategy to continue work. Malkiel himself notes that if everyone uses the strategy of buying stocks on January 1st and selling them five days later, a simple strategy of buying on December 31st and selling on the 4th will generate consistant, long run returns. But then, if everyone adopts the new strategy, the long run returns vanish!

The key to a successful investing strategy, then, is to keep it secret. Since any strategy published in Malkiel's "Random Walk" is likely to be read and studied by millions, the moment he publishes something that would refute the efficient market hypothesis, the hypothesis is again reconfirmed. Clever devil, that Malkiel.

Other than that, my only problem with Malkiel's book is that he refers to countless articles and studies published in academia, but he leaves the inquiring reader clueless as to where to look for them. A simple "references" section would solve this problem (although it would easily provide further reason to justify publishing a new edition, thus earning Malkiel even more money).

Solid advice for funding your life
In a nutshell Malkiel's advice is to own your own home, buy no-load index funds (equities and bonds), buy international index funds, and mix your investments according to your age. You should also have medical and plain term life insurance, and cash on hand for a few months in case of an emergency. This book is a complete course in how to manage your money effectively, whether you're a millionaire or a low-income earner. It also gently but firmly chastises proponents of get-rich-quick schemes such as day traders.

First, the book explains what is financial risk, and points out that everything is risky, even insured savings accounts since inflation can destroy the value of cash. Malkiel describes just how risky various investments are, and how the risk is one investment is often offset by the risk in another. Second, Malkiel describes a variety of specific investments (e.g. no load index funds, your own home, individual stocks) and suggests how individual investors should mix them, depending on their personal circumstances. For instance, an ambitious young woman in her twenties can consider aggressive high-risk high-growth funds. If they boom, she's rich, if they bust she's young enough to recover her losses through income. This would not be true of a middle-aged couple about to pay for their children's college years.

"A Random Walk Down Wall Street" should be in every family's library.

Spurious Monkey Business
Very few fund managers, brokers or money managers can beat the market. OK, that is factual and common knowledge. Yet, the vast majority of investors entrust their stock portfolios with these poorly performing professionals instead of parking all of their investment capital in no- load index funds or ETFs. Is the market then truly efficient or are their millions of sato- masochistic investors out there that want to underperform?

In 1999, the Nasdaq market leaders traded for well over 100x p/e. It defied logic and a few shorts would have been "efficient." The market continued to rocket upwards until March, 2000 and shorts would have been death to you in 1999. A share of some company breaks out of a trading range and moves up 5% in value in 10 minutes on no news or fundamental change. This type of thing still happens. How can a market be truly efficient when there is ingrained stupidity such high levels? Consider the handicap mutual funds are strapped with: They must be at least 70% invested on the long side at all times regardless of how overvalued the equity markets are. That means mutual funds will be sloshing money in defensive industry stocks such as casinos and bottlers during a market melt down. Conversely, it means "value" stocks will be frequently trading for less than book value during boom times. In an efficient system, you have real checks and balances insuring stock prices on an equal footing with intrinsic value and not cosmetic tomfoolery.

How does investor psychology come into play? Human psychology is not efficient but it is sometimes predictable. I'm betting that whatever look Brittney wears in her next video and whatever is worn on the runways of Milan will be adopted within a few months by the hordes. The darts won't tell you that.

In 1983, a Members Only jacket and a pair of designer parachute pants would set you back maybe $150. Today, you can only find these items in a thrift store for considerably less. The lesson is that in the short term, there are all kinds of irrational trends. Over a long time span, a regression to the mean will filter out lots of follies only to be replaced by some other ridiculous fads and a few long lasting good ideas. Everybody knows that garish haute couture has a higher profit margin than the common t- shirt. I'd rather be hawking the haute couture.

There is marked inefficiency in the markets over longer time frames also. Check out the valuations on Coke and the consumer staples over the last several years and compare them with historical norms. Many stocks seem to be permanantly overvalued. And what is this fascination with historical valuations? Many investment managers are in awe of the historical valuations as if it were definitive. Frankly, the variables have changed over time and comparisons with history make less sense today.

The entire market is based on stupidity, manic emotion, misinformation and knee jerk responses. I could get into wirehouse sales tactics and conflicts of interest but I will spare you. That is not to say that it can be figured out.

Oh, and if the market were efficient it would learn from its mistakes. There were bucket shops in 1890, and there are bucket shops today. At the turn of the century, automotive stocks were doubling seemingly overnight only to later crash and burn. Fuel cell stocks were the rage a couple of years ago.
Most fuel cell stocks are now trading for a fraction of what their highs were. There is nothing new under the sun.

Has Solid Information
This book has its rough spots, but all in all it's definitely worth the money. This book has a very comprehensive treatment of risk, reward, and diversification, and these alone make it worth reading. I dispute some things that Malkiel says. He seems emotionally attached to the efficient market theory, and no piece of evidence can make him question it. It gets a little annoying to read page after page of examples that clearly show inefficient stock pricing, only to have Malkiel "explain away" the apparent contradiction with the efficient market theory. Throughout the book he also unnecessarily insults practicioners of technical and fundamental analysis, which is probably why there are some emotionally charged negative reviews. [An earlier reviewer said that this book was geared towards women. I don't know how he infered this!] Though Malkiel did not convince me of the validity of the efficient market theory, he did convince me with this book that it is very, very difficult for anyone (professional or independent investor) to consistently beat the market averages. If you can overlook the negatives of this book you will find that there is quite a bit of excellent information. ... Read more

Book Description

THE NATIONAL BESTSELLING BOOK THAT EVERY INVESTOR SHOULD OWN

Peter Lynch is America's number-one money manager. His mantra: Average investors can become experts in their own field and can pick winning stocks as effectively as Wall Street professionals by doing just a little research.

Now, in a new introduction written specifically for this edition of One Up on Wall Street, Lynch gives his take on the incredible rise of Internet stocks, as well as a list of twenty winning companies of high-tech '90s. That many of these winners are low-tech supports his thesis that amateur investors can continue to reap exceptional rewards from mundane, easy-to-understand companies they encounter in their daily lives.

Investment opportunities abound for the layperson, Lynch says. By simply observing business developments and taking notice of your immediate world -- from the mall to the workplace -- you can discover potentially successful companies before professional analysts do. This jump on the experts is what produces "tenbaggers," the stocks that appreciate tenfold or more and turn an average stock portfolio into a star performer.

The former star manager of Fidelity's multibillion-dollar Magellan Fund, Lynch reveals how he achieved his spectacular record. Writing with John Rothchild, Lynch offers easy-to-follow directions for sorting out the long shots from the no shots by reviewing a company's financial statements and by identifying which numbers really count. He explains how to stalk tenbaggers and lays out the guidelines for investing in cyclical, turnaround, and fast-growing companies.

Lynch promises that if you ignore the ups and downs of the market and the endless speculation about interest rates, in the long term (anywhere from five to fifteen years) your portfolio will reward you. This advice has proved to be timeless and has made One Up on Wall Street a number-one bestseller. And now this classic is as valuable in the new millennium as ever. ... Read more

Reviews (102)

Be smart and BUY this book!
This is the first book I ever read on investing. My cousin, Paul, who was a broker at Merrill Lynch, recommended it to me. I followed Paul into the financial services industry, toiling 12 long years peddling stocks, bonds, mutual funds and insurance products. During my tenure as a Wall Street professional (I use that term very loosely), I must have read 200 different books on investing. Oddly enough, I have discarded many of those poorly written investor guides and still refer back to this classic book penned by Peter Lynch, mutual fund demigod, investment guru, stock-picking legend!

At the heart of Lynch's case is that each individual has enough inherent knowledge and experience to be a successful investor. He uses numerous analogies to show investors:

1. The power of common knowledge (take advantage of what you already know) 2. You don't need to be a Wall Street analyst to uncover great investment opportunities 3. You are not disadvantaged vs. large, institutional investors You don't have to accurately predict the stock market to make money in stocks 4. To keep an open mind to new ideas

From my years on Wall Street, I found many of his theories and ideas to be completely accurate. Many other books I have read focus on the inherent evils of the possessed financial consultant community. Yes, the industry has its problems. However, $8 stock trades are not the only ingredients in profitable investing. In fact, I don't recall him emphasizing the need for discount trades, a fact over-emphasized in almost every other book I have read (remember, I am no longer in the industry...I don't need to strike a case for broker commissions). Instead, he shows you what information to focus on and how to apply it.

Do yourself a favor: Buy this book. Read it twice. It is not outdated...it is timeless. Yea, I know, you already know it all. My advice is to lose the ego and take a refresher course on common sense investing. When you finish, put it on your bookshelf. Do not give it to your kids or neighbors; buy them their own copies. This is a great book!

A Capital Read!
I borrowed my copy of "One Up On Wall Street" from a friend who is a longtime professional equities investor. He received this gift as recommended reading from a veteran investment analyst he knows. While Peter Lynch has written an easily comprehendible advice book on common stock investing - very much written in layman's terms and without emphasis on industry jargon - the principles he puts forth are fundamental and worth reviewing by anyone, amateur or pro.

Within the 300 pages of this book, Lynch outlines a useful rubric against which all stock selections might be measured. His stocks fall into six categories: Slow Growers, Stalwarts, Cyclicals, Fast Growers, Turnarounds and Asset Plays. Screening, buying and selling advice are outlined for each of these six flavors, although nothing revolutionary (eg., Sell a slow grower when the dividend is unattractive.) He delivers a wealth of the basic analytical tools (well, more like rules of thumb) for stock research, explaining price earnings ratios, the import of tax loss carry-forwards, goodwill accounting, inventories, and other basics of P&L statements and Balance Sheets. It's a pocket guide financial course for those who may have slept through Accounting 101.

Lynch urges stock pickers to do their homework, and suggests the regimen of a "Two Minute" drill, whereby an investor can recite a brief monologue of reasons for selecting a security: Reasons for selection, what the company needs to do to succeed, and pitfalls that stand in the way. Obviously, this is not a book for the technicians or chartists. Nor even speculators, as Lynch reminds the reader that his "ten-baggers" or "forty-baggers" all come as a result of having held at least three to four years.

Quite a bit of the book carries a populist bent. There is plenty of advice to pay more heed to what's happening in the local shopping mall than to investment brokers ("oxymorons"), and to avoid stocks with exotic names or that may have been whispered to be hot. Of course, we've all been aware of this, and we're all wealthy and drinking daiquiris on the beach now, right?

In sum, it is worth the investment of the few hours it takes to swallow this information. At worst, it is an entertaining look at some high-fliers the former Magellan manager scored with, but at the very least it serves as reminder that basics need to be followed, and nothing works as well as solid research, good discipline and old fashioned hard work.

For financial analysts to be!
I first read this book as an "assignment" when I started working as a financial analyst in 2000. The book is well written, and offers a lot of insights and tips that are applicable to analyzing companies and stocks. Most of the stuff here are very applicable to my work, and even offers examples that can be emulated by any investor/analyst. To date, I still practice most of the philosophies and tips suggested here when it comes to analyzing companies. Amazingly, the book is not written in financial jargon but rather in a simple way that even novices would easily understand. i rate this book a "buy!"

Probably the best stock investment book ever
This is a terrific book for stock investors of all levels, beginner through advanced. Lynch has tremendous credibility, as an extremely successful long-term mutual fund manager. And he shares a good deal of his investment knowledge with readers in this book. The author shows why stocks have been better than cash or bonds in the long run, and covers the basics of valuation: PE ratios, earnings growth, brand value, financial/cash position, etc. Then he points out that each individual investor brings their own "edge" to the investment table, such as that a truck driver might notice that he's delivering more for a growing business before "The Street" realizes that the business is growing, or a retail sales clerk might have a better handle on what's selling than a Wall Streeter in New York City, etc (this "edge" is the "One Up" part, referenced in the book's title).

I read this book before I got serious about investing myself, it's helped me to be successful (I've "beaten the street" fairly consistently, much of this thanks to Lynch's book) and I've re-read it several times over the years. My biggest problem with this book is the printing; while the quality isn't terrible, it could be a lot better, a lot more readable. This is a book just CRYING to be published again in hardback, with new, larger typesetting. And I don't mean that little miniature abridged hardback version. Considering the popularity of this book, and the great number of well-to-do investors, why not sell us a leather bound, acid free paper, nicely typeset version for $50-$75 retail? Until that ever happens (unlikely, but I can hope) this excellent investment book will have to do in the current paperback form. Remember, if you are considering investing in stocks - start here, read this book! And even if you think you know it all, you still should read Lynch's book, it's that good.

Read it
If your read one book on investing, make it this book. If you visit one site on investing, make it Fool.com

The kind of patience required in seeking the kind of gains you can only reap by holding through volatility and buying & selling on fundamentals & valuation is the key piece of knowledge that you will gain from this book. We're too bombarded on a daily basis about the daily swings of the market - the result? More and more people with less patience failing to make the kind of gains that can only come with good stock picking and more importantly, the patience demonstrated by investors like Lynch, Buffet, Graham and Shelby Davis. ... Read more

Book Description

A brilliant investor, a born raconteur and an overall smart-ass, Andy Kessler pulls back the curtain on the world of hedge funds and shows how the guys who run big money think, talk and act.

Following on the success of Wall Street Meat, his self-published book on the lives of Wall Street stock analysts, Andy Kessler recounts his years as an extraordinarily successful hedge fund manager. To run a successful hedge fund you must have an investing edge -- that special insight that allows you to reap greater returns for your clients and yourself.

A quick study, Kessler gets an education in investing from some fascinating and quirky personalities. Eventually he works out his own insight into the world economy, a powerful lens that reveals to him hidden value in seemingly negative trends. Focussing on margin surplus, Kessler comes to see that current American economy, at the apex of the information revolution, is not so different from the British economy at the height of the industrial revolution. Drawing out the parallels he develops a powerful investing tool which he shares with readers. Contrarian and confident, Kessler made a fortune applying his ideas to his hedge fund. Which only proves that they may not be as crazy as they sound.

... Read more

Book Description

YOU CAN GO AFTER THE JOB YOU WANT...AND GET IT! YOU CAN TAKE THE JOB YOU HAVE...AND IMPROVE IT! YOU CAN TAKE ANY SITUATION YOU'RE IN...AND MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU!

For more than sixty years the rock-solid, time-tested advice in this book has carried thousands of now famous people up the ladder of success in their business and personal lives.

Now this previously revised and updated bestseller is available in trade paperback for the first time to help you achieve your maximum potential throughout the next century! Learn:

* THREE FUNDAMENTAL TECHNIQUES IN HANDLING PEOPLE
* THE SIX WAYS TO MAKE PEOPLE LIKE YOU
* THE TWELVE WAYS TO WIN PEOPLE TO YOUR WAY OF THINKING
* THE NINE WAYS TO CHANGE PEOPLE WITHOUT AROUSING RESENTMENT ... Read more

Reviews (332)

principles stand the test of time
First published in 1937, this book is the result of 15 years of Dale Carnegie's research in human relations. When learned and applied, these 30 timeless principles will help you become more likable and influential in others' lives.

Millions of copies of this book have sold because the principles are basic and proven. Sure, some of the language is dated. Many of the characters and companies mentioned in these pages are no longer household names. Look beyond those quirks and you will find some of the most memorable and applicable people skills material ever produced.

With simple presentation and vivid examples, Carnegie deftly walks us through Fundamental Techniques in Handling People, Six Ways to Make People Like You, How to Win People to Your Way of Thinking, and How to Change People Without Giving Offense or Arousing Resentment.

When material is this old and this good, it could sometimes be considered trite and nothing more than common knowledge. Don't fall into that trap. Until its principles become common practice in our lives, this book is just as necessary and effective today as it was more than six decades ago.

Larry Hehn, author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory

The very best in self-help books!
What can't I say about this book?! I first read How to Win Friends and Influence People five years ago. I have made it practice to read it at least once a year now in the hopes that some day I may actually assimilate the incredible wealth of material included in the pages. Listen, there are a ton of self-help and motivational books out there, but this one isn't like all the rest: it is the forefather to all of them! I have to be honest when I say that this book has had a profound impact on my life and my way of thinking. It is timeless, priceless, and seems to get better with age. I hold no reservation or hesitation in recommending that you not only put one of these on your shelf, but that you read it over, and over, and over again.

Reviewed by: James L. Clark, MBA, MSc., PhD Candidate (Leadership) is a serial entrepreneur, lecturer, and consultant. He is the author of the book Wading Through the Crap: How to Start Living the Successful Life You Have Always Wanted (ISBN 0972697551) that has received rave review.

10 stars for this one!
When it comes to social skills, this book says it all. No need to look any further than this classic. To learn emotional and mental mastery and making the most of any situation, then Optimal Thinking: How To Be Your Best Self is your best choice. To learn how to deal with change, read Who Moved My Cheese. These resources give you all you need to be your best, get along with others and bring out the best from them.

Compelling book on developing social skills
If youwere to buy just 1 book of how to acquire people skills, How To Win Friends and Influence People should be that 1 book. This book is great. Written over 70 years ago, all of the principles still apply. Definitely add this one to your library, but more importantly, use it.

Timeless Advice
His advice is so obvious and so easy, so how come it's so difficult to do yourself and so rarely found in others? Is it cynicism or manipulation? No, it's human nature: Do Unto Others ...

THE FUNDAMENTALS

• "Speak ill of no man and speak all the good you know of everyone."
People react very badly to criticism; don't do it, not to their face nor behind their back ... especially not behind their back.

• Say "Thank You".
Express appreciation. People yearn, yearn to be appreciated.

• Talk about what people want and help them get it.
"Arouse in others an eager want."
Corollary: let others take credit for your ideas; they'll like your ideas a lot more if they believe them to be their own.

WAYS TO MAKE PEOPLE LIKE YOU

• Be happy to see people.
Greet everyone you meet and show an interest in them. Remember the things that are important to them.

• Smile!

• Remembers peoples' names!!
Remember it, use it when talking to them. A person's name sounds beautiful to them.

• Draw people out.
Encourage them to talk about themselves and their interests.

• Actively research the other person's interests.

• Every person you meet feels themselves superior to you in some way.
Strain to find out what that is and recognize their importance. Talk to people about themselves and they will listen to you for hours.

WIN PEOPLE TO YOUR WAY OF THINKING

• Don't argue!
Give in! Agree that the other person is right; often they are and if they aren't, you'll never convince them of it by arguing.

• Don't ever tell a person they're wrong.
They may be but telling them so is always counterproductive. It is difficult for a person to admit to themselves that they are wrong; harder still to admit it to others.

• If you know you're wrong, admit it.
Openly and freely admit whenever you're wrong. And always leave open the possibility that you're wrong even of you think you aren't.

• Friendliness begets friendliness.
Always begin that way. Don't accuse.

• Never neglect a kindness.
Look for ways to do or say something nice.

• Start out by emphasizing areas of agreement.
When a person has said "no" it's hard to get them to change even if they know they're wrong.

• Let the other person do most of the talking.
Listen patiently and don't interrupt. Let your friends be better than you.

• Let people come to your conclusions.
First, tell me what you expect of me; then tell me what I can expect of you. People will generally live up to the commitments they make to you as long as they came up with them on their own.

• Think always