Book Description

Choose the right mutual funds to maximize your investment returns.

For forty million Americans, mutual funds are the most attractive investment instruments now available. But with over 7,000 stock, bond, and index funds to choose from, how can you select what's best for you?

In this easy-to-follow, commonsense guide, Alvin Hall, the "Professor of Wall Street, "fills you in on everything you need to know to choose mutual funds with confidence. In plain English, he acquaints you with the various types of mutual funds and how they are structured, and he explains the important fund terms and concepts. He helps you to understand clearly those measures you must examine before investing in a fund. And he provides step-by-step guidelines on how to go about selecting the right funds. You'll quickly and painlessly learn:

• How to read a fund prospectus
• How to assess a fund manager's investment style and its impact on your returns
• How to evaluate ongoing fees and expenses
• How to evaluate risks
• How to calculate return on investments
• How to buy, redeem, and exchange mutual funds
• How to take advantage of shareholder services

Reviews (1)

Just the Facts...
I just got the book last night, but so far it is great. I know very little about investing, just that I wanted to know more about Mutual Funds before I try to pick one. It has a lot of facts but isn't dauntlingly dense. There are lots of charts, definitions in the margins as well as a full glosary and plenty of room in the margins for notes. I choose this book over the For Dummies book because I didn't want to read an extra 200 pages of stories. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent book on mutual fund principles
I recommend this book strongly to all those who are starting out as mutual fund investors. It provides a clear analysis of the issues and tradeoffs involved in mutual fund investing and explains all the relevant concepts and terminology. It also teaches a fundamental tenet of investing - "set a limit on your greed"!!

Great book to make the jump from just saving to investing.
This book assumes a basic knowledge of mutual funds but goes into the nuances you need to really ferret out the winning funds and also helps you put together a great portfolio based on your timeframes. I would have given it a 10 but it was hard to use as a reference after reading it through since the important information was sprinkled throughout the chapters and appendices. It was long enough to have the pertinent information you need but short enough to be able to read through it in a few evenings. ... Read more

Book Description

Did your nest egg crack?"America's Money Answers Man" Jordan Goodman offers investing advice for today's troubled market.

Many investors have watched as their portfolios "downsized," so to speak, over the past few years.But, there are still pockets of opportunity in the stock market today.Finding it is simply a matter of discovering those great companies.In Everyone's Money Book on Stocks, Bonds, and Mutual Funds, finance expert Jordan Goodman shows investors how the benefits of long term investing opportunities far outweigh any initial losses. ... Read more

Book Description

This invaluable new guide from financial expert David Scott analyzes the role that mutual funds play in achieving a balanced portfolio. In addition to explaining how shares in mutual funds are bought and sold, this clearly written book will show investors
• how to assess a fund"s investment objective in light of their own goals
• how to choose from among stock, bond, and money market funds
• how to evaluate the three different kinds of income associated with mutual funds — dividends, capital gains, and market appreciation
• how to save on fees when buying and redeeming mutual fund shares ... Read more

Reviews (1)

David Scott's Guide to Investing in Mutual Funds
The author has written another superb book on investment.This book on mutual funds is fun to read, easy to understand and cuts through the fog of misunderstanding associated with mutual fund investing.It includes a detailed explanation of all the various mutual funds which includes equity, bond and money market funds. It also covers alternatives to mutual funds such as closed-end investment companies. The book provides a wealth of knowledge and is a welcome addition to my library on investing. ... Read more

Book Description

THE INTERNATIONAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MUTUAL FUNDS, CLOSED-END FUNDS, AND REITSFunds and REITs are among the fastest-growing and most important investment vehicles used by huge numbers of investors who wish to capitalize on the stock and real estate booms of the 1990s. This timely book provides the high-quality information, both historical and conceptual, which will help to ensure the right investment choices.The International Encyclopedia of Mutual Funds, Closed-End Funds, and REITS is truly a publishing landmark, designed specifically for the savvy investor of the late 1990s. Every conceivable concept, term, fund type, and strategy as well as a huge array of individual funds and REITs are described, explained, and illustrated in this remarkable book.Complete with glossary terms, extensive appendices, and clear and concise definitions, this on-the-money book promises to become the standard by which all other books on mutual funds and REITs will be judged. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nice Christmas (1998) Gift
The major part of this book is made up of two page wide, single line entries for each fund. Entries consist of the usual stats available for free on-line. It would be worth the price to have this information neatly bound in a book - if the data was current, but it isn't. November 1998 mutual fund data is not much use in November 2001 (will this bull market ever end?). No fault of the authors - but not a good buy now. ... Read more

Book Description

The 21st century will be a profitable time for investors - with many opportunities to make money and achieve financial goals.But you must make smart investment decisions to secure your financial future.Learn the secret to successful mutual fund investing with proven guidelines for Dollar-Cost Averaging Plus, winning portfolio management, and sound financial planning.Quickly become an expert at identifying the best fast-growth mutual funds from over 7,000 choices. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An Outstanding "Primer" on Investing
The Small Investor is an excellent book to read if you are looking for a complete and basic introduction to the subject of investing. I found the chapters on Professional Help and Selecting Mutual Funds to be particularly helpful. A feature that Jim Gard included that I really appreciate is the "Recommended Further Reading" that is at the end of each chapter. It gives you a place to go to examine the subject in more detail than would be appropriate in a "Primer." This book is ideal for anyone just entering the world of investments. Financial Planners and Money Managers should consider giving a copy of this book to each of their new clients. Jim Hagen ... Read more

Book Description

Fuzzy Logic is an analytical tool used in the modeling of those phenomena that fall outside the scope of exact sciences. It is used in the analysis of complex and highly nonlinear processes, where mathematical models or standard classic logic cannot define conditions inherent to such processes, e.g. human thinking.Kurt Peray's detailed analysis of the new approaches and techniques for Risk Control and Portfolio Asset Allocation - which uses the principles of Fuzzy Logic - helps you to make decisions as to when to buy, hold or sell. While making independent and educated decisions, you will be able to hedge your portfolio from the volatile forces in the market, and will offset the erosive impact of inflation and taxation.In this electronic age, investors have quick access to important information relevant to the decision process. The guidelines and formulas that serve as foundations to the Fuzzy Logic approach gives you the ability to build customized programs. Investing in Mutual Funds Using Fuzzy Logic is for the individual who wants to invest in financial instruments that will provide a return for growth. With the investment approach he devised, Peray guides the you towards achieving your investment goals. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good sound advice that works, not just theory
I have used his recommended system of "Mutual Fund Investing" for the past two years. This system imposes constraints for portfolio asset allocation based on the investor's risk tolerance before buy/hold or sell decisions are made using his Fuzzy Logic concept. This disciplined method has been extremely valuable to me in these turbulent times when so many conflicting opinions on stock and bond market directions prevailed.

Disapointed in his interpetation of fuzzy logic
Maybe this is a book for someone new to mutual funds or to retirement planning - there is a lot of background for those. But if you've had any exposure to technical analysis or expect to see fuzzy logic used, this book is a disapointment. Its not really fuzzy logic - he sets absolute limit thresholds and, depending on their on/off combinations, does a buy/hold/sell. A real fuzzy logic system would have produced a proportional response to varying data. I was expecting a system that might, for example, adjust proportions between the funds available within a company 401k (ideal for a real fuzzy logic approach)- not a conventional all-in/all-out, buy/hold/sell approach like his. His system could have been presented in a small magazine article, not bloated to book size.

A great new approach for investing
Peray's technique for investing in mutual funds is easy to understand. I'm a conservative investor and do not need 30 and 50% returns. I also dont want to expose my capital to undue risks. Peray's Fuzzy Logic concept has produced an all-out sell signal for USA equity funds in the first week of June 1999 (DOW JONES Industrials over 11000) and I adjusted my portfolio accordingly. I'm waiting for the Fuzzy Logic signal to get back into the market . ... Read more

Book Description

The best book on mutual funds just got better-and bigger-in this up-to-the-minute new paperback edition. This is the expanded edition of the acclaimed hardcover guide that earned raves from consumers, reviewers, and booksellers. The Wall Street Journal called Rowland's 1996 guide "outstanding." And The Boston Globe praised it as "a lifetime reference for mutual fund investors," applauding Rowland's clear, concise, jargon-free approach to building a mutual fund portfolio. As one of America's preeminent finance journalists, Rowland has offered top-drawer advice on investing for over 20 years. The New Commonsense Guide to Mutual Funds now includes 75 of her signature DOs and DON'Ts-practical, savvy solutions for the problems, frustrations, and missed opportunities encountered by anyone who owns shares in mutual funds. Inside this new guide, investors will find smart questions to ask before investing. A risk assessment quiz. Powerful techniques and strategies professional money managers use for asset allocation and rebalancing. And guidance about when and how to get into (and out of) a mutual fund. Includes: Roth IRAs; Education IRAs; Over a dozen new DOs and DON'Ts; More resources, including top-ranked fund managers, research tools for investors, key web sites; Greatly expanded guidance on risk-taking and strategies; Over 12 sample portfolios; Answers to most frequently asked questions from baby boomers, retirees, and Gen-Xers who follow Rowland's online column at www.moneyinsider.com. Mary Rowland is a contributing editor to Bloomberg Personal Finance and is one of the most respected authors in the field of personal finance. She has written extensively for The New York Times, Fortune, Worth, Business Week, Money, Modern Maturity, Woman's Day, USA Today, and many other major consumer and financial publications. Her books include A Commonsense Guide to Your 401(k) and Best Practices for Financial Advisors. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The best beginner book on mutual funds I've found.
I checked out many books on mutual funds and investing from the library. This is the one I kept going back to, because its easy-to-read "dos" and "donts" format got right to the point. That might sound too pat, but the advice given within that simple format is right on and consistant with other reliable sources I've checked. There are also more sections beyond the dos & donts for those who want to go further in depth. The advice is basic and sensible - such as what factors to look for in a fund, how to evaluate performance and costs of funds, and recommended further reading. I plan to buy a copy so I don't have to keep going to the library!

Great fundamentals and starting point
This is a great starting point for people who want to know more about investing, and particulary those who want to do it themselves. Rowland packs a lot of useful investing do's and don't, with easy to follow explanations. She stresses the key concepts such as asset and risk allocation, dollar-cost-averaging, and "buy low, sell high" (which, although a cliché, is often ignored). She examines all kind of mutual funds, from stocks, to bonds, to gold, to blend. One drawback is the book is about 3 years old, which hurts the information a little. However, this book can provide investing knowledge that applies any time, whether you believe in the "New Economy" or not.

Nothing to compare with
This is the only book on mutual funds that I have read. It had provided me with basics and with the places to look up mutual fund info. While not necessarily breathtaking read it is informative. The small format is also a plus (I do a lot of my reading in subway cars).

Bad Advice
This book is not for a novice, the best place for a novice is with a professional. She makes very poor and vague advice in her do's and dont's. Specifically in regard to Bond Funds, Asset Allocation, and Share Classes. You get what you pay for. If you are a novice, dont "Play" with your money, seek professional advice. You tip a waiter 15% but wont pay a broker 5% or less ? Think about it.

Information for novice investors and seasoned shareholders.
More than 63 million Americans own mutual funds, but most folks don't really know what they're all about, aside from being the "must" investment of the 90's. This guide will change that. Much of the book is devoted to a series of specific dos and don'ts. There's also a range of asset allocation portfolios for every type of investment "personality," and a primer on how to work with a financial advisor. ... Read more

Book Description

Everyone's worried. Traditionally safe investments in savings, money-market accounts, CDs, and bonds just aren't paying off. Millions of Americans are flocking to mutual funds. Now, award-winning journalist Jonathan Clements clears a path through the financial minefields. In clear, easy-to-understand, jargon-free language, he shows even the most uninformed investor how to use his unique, carefully designed, and balanced approach to mutual funds--and take advantage of the wealth-building power of the stock market. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

It worked well for me!
I bought this book when I started my first pharmacist job. All my investments are mutual funds and this is the only book I ever read on mutual funds. According to Quicken my ROI today is ranging 23-33%. I'm happy with what the book taught me. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Lessons We Should Never Forget....
Years of riding the market's hype-high has been replaced by this year's bitter withdrawl. How many thousands did I invest based on nothing more than a few articles written by "experts" and the all-knowing smiles of MSNBC's Squak Box? I wish I had read this book instead!

Its sane, responsible, and time-tested approach to investing is the backbone of any sound financial body. Although my need-it-now-nature wanted to skip the well-written introductory chapters and jump to the "real" secret of investing, I came to realize that there is no "secret." There is no magic bullet. So, I went back, and started the book from the beginning, reading each page, slowly filling in the rather large gaps in my investing knowledge.

In these unsettled times, this book feels like the calm voice of proven experience. ... Read more

Book Description

ALL ABOUT . . . SERIES

All About
EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS

Exchange-traded funds, priced like a stock and traded continuously throughout the day, are the hottest thing in investing today. All About Exchange-Traded Funds is one of the first introductory guides to provide investors with the nuts-and-bolts aspects of ETFs, from various types and basic trading rules to effective trading strategies for building core assets.

Reviews (3)

Big Disappointment
After reviewing the front and back covers, I purchased this book. The author has spent 26 years writing a newspaper column on the subjects of money and investments. The author is not bashful with his opinions. The book describes the only strategy to use in buying securities, was the buy and hold strategy. Holding securities for 25 years. He does not believe in day trading, advising the reader against doing so. The book does not believe in fundamental analysis, technical analysis, or chart reading. It says you can not predict future prices and should not rely on historical prices as a guide. The book spends too many chapters describing stocks, mutual funds, bonds and how to find a broker. This did not leave much room to talk about Exchange Traded Funds. Which was the title of the book. Only one and half chapters were devoted to the subject. The book had potential, but it was a big disappointment.

Diversifing with Exchanged Traded Funds
The inner workings of Exchanged-Traded Funds are well explained in Richard's book. Do-it-yourself investors would be wise to learn about ETFs, and then apply that knowledge to better diversify their holdings and save expenses. Richard's book offers the sophisticated and the novice a single-source reference that can make you money over the long run. Building a well-diversified portfolio and then managing it is difficult, but "All About Exchange-Traded Funds" provided me with the insights that only an experienced advisor, like Richards, can offer. If more people had understood the essential precepts found in this book, far less money would have been lost during the past few years. Read it and profit by it.

Title should be "A Little about ETF's"
This book is more about Archie Richards' personal investment philosophy than it is about ETF's. I'm not sure who his target audience is, but I can assure you if you want to learn about ETF's, you are going to be spending about 75% of your time reading about Archie's personal opinions about the investment world and what is wrong with it. The other 25% covers what ETF's are and how they work. It may be good info. if you want to be the Cliff Claven of ETF's at your friendly neighborhood bar. But if you want to learn how to use ETF's as a viable investment, you would be better off going to the websites of the sponsors for these funds and read their free information. I can think of only one market that can benefit from this book - those of you who have never invested in your life, are VERY conservative and are prepared to buy and hold your investments for more than 20 years. For the rest of you, don't waste your time or money. ... Read more

Book Description

What’s the difference between the S&P 500 and Wilshire 5000 Indexes?

How can you invest in these and other indexes?

If you’re like most investors, you’ve probably heard of index funds, but don’t know too much about them–except that they buy the stocks that make up a particular index such as the S&P 500. Academic research convinced institutional investors and pension plans to adopt passive investing initially, and now many individual investors are also beginning to use index funds in their own portfolios. The fact is that the subtle investment philosophy underlying index funds, and its related products, can help you grow your wealth in a steady, powerful, and efficient manner–so you can achieve financial security and peace of mind at the lowest possible cost.

In Index Funds: Strategies for Investment Success, author and cofounder of IndexFunds.com, Will McClatchy, first discusses the main issues concerning index funds and passive investing, and then provides a path of action by comparing indexes, describing various index funds, and reviewing model portfolios.

Topics discussed include:

• Understanding the philosophy, motivation, and discipline of a successful indexer
• Creating a financial plan with indexing
• Choosing markets with the right risk/return profile and finding sensible asset classes
• Filtering out noise created by financial markets and the media
• Maintaining an indexed portfolio with quarterly or yearly tune-ups
• Selecting the most cost-effective and efficient index funds
• And much more

Filled with in-depth insights, valuable advice, and informative charts, Index Funds: Strategies for Investment Success will get you up-to-speed on the indexing revolution. Whether you want to retire comfortably, save enough for a child’s education, or just set aside funds for a rainy day, take this opportunity to learn more about index funds and find out how to unlock their potential. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Must read for any investor
The book offers detailed eplanations of why your mutual fund may not be as hot as it seems and what you really do get in return for those fees (maybe not even breaking even). It's a quick read and tremendously informative as well as no nonsense. I think it takes the "Random Walk Down Wall Street" one step further by going through sensible strategies which will save investors grief and time while improving returns and lowering risk. One of my favorite investing books.

Excellent overview of indexing
This book provides a solid introduction to index funds. With the world of index funds changing rapidly, it's hard to know how to choose funds or where they fit into an overall investment strategy. This book offers the basics in easy to understand language as well as more advanced strategies for more sophisticated investors. ... Read more

Book Description

From a trusted personal finance authority, a lifetime guide to better mutual-fund investing.

Encyclopedic in its scope yet easy-to-use, this mutual-fund "owner's manual" is a one-stop resource for anyone who wants to go beyond the basics and start planning long-term, profitable fund investments. Breezy, readable, and organized into manageable mini-chapters, it will prove indispensable for investors with all levels of financial experience and knowledge. Syndicated columnist Chuck Jaffe is an idea coach to the ins and outs of mutual-fund ownership, from buying and selling funds to passing them on to heirs. He cuts through the clutter that confuses many investors and costs them money. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

It'll make you confident in your fund-picking skills
I am pretty new to investing, but some friends introduced me to Mr. Jaffe's column last year and I felt like he was talking to me. I understood almost everything I read in his column, which was pretty amazing because I never would have told you two years ago that I could have followed any of this stuff.

When I heard Mr. Jaffe had written a book on funds, I figured it was the one for me. I was absolutely right.

It's just like his column (chatty, funny and easy to understand)but much more complete. It told me everything I needed to know about fund ownership in a commonsense way. And I like the idea that I can turn back to this "owner's manual" for help whenever something happens in my funds. (It's a lot easier to handle than that book of column Jaffe clippings I collected.)

great book
This is nice and comprehensive, but chatty and easy to read. I particularly like the way the author has cross-referenced information so that you can skip right to the sections you want to know about, without reading every word that comes before or after. This gives you all the tools you need you get started. ... Read more

Book Description

The Fabian trend-following plan is one of the simplest [and] most understandable, and is one that investors can actually live with. --The Hulbert Financial Digest

Over the past two decades, even before the introduction of enhanced index funds, Dick Fabian has helped thousands of individuals average an astonishing 17 percent compounded growth. His mutual fund-based investment plan was ranked #1 nine times by the respected Hulbert Financial Digest.

Now, in The Mutual Fund Wealth Builder, Fabian gives individual investors the tools to trade mutual funds with lowered risk and increased rates of return. This plain-spoken book shows investors how to:
*Follow six investment steps to increase returns
*Understand concepts including compounding and indexing
*Perform--and act on--their own market analyses ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A simple investment plan highly recommended
Based on the previous reviewer comment, I wonder if we read the same book. This is NOT a "get rich quick" book - it's polar opposite. Perhaps "get rich slowly" would be more appropriate. I've read both this book, and Maverick Investing which is written by Doug Fabian (Dick's son). If choosing between the two, this much better. (However, Maverick Investing does a better job discussing setting proper stop-losses based on your tolerance for risk. I recommend reading both books). An excellent read on taking control of your investments. It provides step by step instruction as to how to set goals for your investments via mutual funds, select the right funds, track those funds, and when to buy and sell. He uses a very simple technique to get you in an out of the market by tracking your funds against two indexes - a broad market index, and another index reflecting the type of funds you own. You track your funds by using 39 Week Average Readings (more commonly known as the 200 day moving averages - which can be found anywhere on the web). In a nutshell, his technique will not get you into the market at the very bottom, and won't get you out at the very top. But he will get you in and out somewhere in between which is a far more realistic approach for positive long term results. The opposite of get rich quick, it simply shows that by setting realistic goals, and learning to recognize existing trends, how very small investments over a long period will result extrodinary wealth. For those who already have a healthy retirement nest egg, he shows you how to pay yourself during retirement while still growing your principal. This is a great introductory book on investing using a proven approach which only requires a few minutes a week to maintain. The book's has two shortfalls. First, he could have provided more information about available online resources (such as Morningstar.com) which will make it even easier to screen and select the proper mutual funds. Secondly, he could have spent more time emphasizing the need to select a track your funds against their appropriate indexes.

Excellent Book, Life Changer
I am not sure where Tom G is coming from but his test is wrong. I don't think he truly understands the Fabian System because those who followed it were out of the market 7 days before the maket crash of 2000 so I don't see where he gets Portfolio Disaster.

This book has changed my outlook on life and money. The system described in this book has over 40 years of data to back it's radical approach to investing and when applied to your finances will drastically improve your investment potential. The great thing about this book is that it is easy to understand no matter what your level of investment knowledge is. If you are seriously thinking about beginning investment, please do yourself a favor and read this book. Managing your investments only take a few minutes a week and it is simple, all you need is dicipline.

Sales Pitch
I'm not going to comment on the effectiveness of Fabian's principles, but I will comment on a serious problem I had with the book. The 39WAR that he relies on for technical indicators of when to be in stocks and when to be out of stocks is very difficult to find. The only place I could find it on the web was on his son's website and it came along with a rather pricey subscription to his newsletter. To me, this is a glaring sales pitch that the book predicates itself on, and to me is a serious conflict of interest.

Of course, this is all not to say that his principles aren't effective, they very well may be.

Biased book based on a sales pitch
Before you purchase this book be aware that this is just another one of these money making, get rich quick schemes. Fabian does give some good advice, nevertheless, for building your investing knoweledge there are much better options out there. Fabian's book rests primarily on the use of his company's newsletter to get your information. His 39 week average can be found no where else on the web. If your trying to learn about money read Rich Dad, Poor Dad. If your trying to learn about mutual funds by a more unbiased book.

Terrible in Bear Markets
I was curious as to why Mr. Fabian ended his backtesting in the late 90's a couple years before the book was published. Being a computer programmer I then ran the backtest for those years against the S&P500 index. Results: Portfolio Disaster. Any money you would have made in the up market you would have lost in the Bear. In short, it appears that his system is deeply flawed. He doesn't show those poor results and to me that is very serious. He claims to move money around to various mutual funds to improve his personal results but obviously you and I can't test that and I doubt it works. Use at your own risk. ... Read more

Book Description

You've decided to join the one out of every three American families who now has money invested in mutual funds.While you don't need to be expert in high finance, you do need to know which mutual fund is right for you. With this book in hand, it's simple to make direct comparisons among the funds available.You can develop a balanced investment portfolio, maximize profit when the stock market is up, minimize risk when it's down, and understand 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, and other financial opportunities.This new edition of the guide includes updated preformance figures, tables, and charts, and adds a new section on Internet mutual funds. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent book for the long term investors.
Excellent insight into the hot topics such as cost average, balance average, rebalancing between stocks & bonds & so on. Just pick the mutual fund, keep adding the money monthly & follow the authors recommendations. I highly recommend this book for patient investors who has 20 to 30 years to stash away his money to grow.

if you like mutual funds this pretty much covers it A-Z
First of all with the exception of your 401k I believe a good investor should be putting at least 50% of their money in individual stocks as opposed to mutual funds. One of the reasons for this is that by basically doing nothing a investing in just an index fund ( the most basic mutual fund as far as how it works) return an average of about 15% per year over the last half century. The typical mutual fund does not beat that return, plus you have to pay the management fees( or loads if you are unenlightened enough to buy a loan fund) which can run about 2% of your total return.

This book goes over all the types of funds and how to pick winners. It also informs the reader how to watch out for funds that are heading for a fall such as recent management changes. As well as indirectly helping turn you on to a couple good stocks, as components of mutual funds.

My advice is to keep most of your money in stocks and maybye put 20% in a very good balanced fund. It is also worth noting that on yahoo you can look up the components of the top funds to see what stocks they are investing in. Obviously that is a way to look for some stock picks. Obviously that is not the only factor to consider but i have gotten a couple good picks off this method and got a 22% return in a 4 month period of general motors using that method ... Read more

Book Description

PRAISE FOR 101 Reasons to Own The World’s Greatest Investment

"Robert Miles clearly understands the company well."
–Warren Buffett

"Every Berkshire follower should be interested in this book."
–Alice Schroeder, insurance analyst
Morgan Stanley

". . . a great learning tool for investors . . .will inspire you to learn about great companies and become engaged in your own financial future."
–From the Foreword by David and Tom Gardner
Co-Founders of The Motley Fool, Fool.com ... Read more

Reviews (23)

The World's Greatest Investment: 101 Reasons to Own Berkshi
This is a masterpiece! I have read many books on investing and money management, and this one tops my list. Why? Robert Miles breaks down Berkshire into an understandable analysis which anyone can comprehend. If you're one of the people like me who are fed up with getting ripped off by the fee based, high tax brokerage industry then you owe it to yourself and your heirs to read about Berkshire Hathaway. Mr. Miles explains why Berkshire will continue to outperform and also describes some creative strategies to live off your future wealth without incurring a load of capital gains taxes. This book explains Berkshire better than Warren's annual reports! You'll learn about the "hidden" pool of capital at Geico, why the General Re purchase was a home run, the huge advantage of Berkshire's cost free float, why anytime is the right time to buy, and why Berkshire continually smashes the rip off broker who is "managing" your hard earned capital. Knowledge is peace of mind, and after reading this you'll be smarter than your investment manager about the proper way to build wealth. Rest easy as your investment capital goes on autopilot....Even if you don't decide to buy Berkshire, you'll know the tough questions to ask your broker.

The Rosetta Stone of Investing
Not often does one have the luxury of someone so clearly defining the investment merits of a company and Robert Miles delivers in spades.

Security analysis and the study of investment theory should hopefully culminate in one finding and understanding the greatest vehicles for investment success. Robert Miles has made the investment process that much easier with his illumination of Berkshire Hathaway. I have probably read 90% of the material ever written by Warren Buffett or about Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway and this is as comprehensive as it gets. This is not just a book about Berkshire but a personal journey that identifies and understands the key ingredients of a successful investor. Berkshire Hathaway's outstanding long term performance should lay to rest academia's fascination with the efficient market theory. I believe that any stock investment made should be measured against the returns of Berkshire. This will eliminate many investment mistakes, heartaches and be very rewarding financially.

Robert refers to Warren's annual shareholders letters as the only investment book and advice that you will need. They represent the summit of investment thought from the greatest investor who has ever lived. Geico, Washington Post represent Warren's "ideal" of compounding tax free as long as possible. Shareholder's evidently take Warren's long term buy and hold strategy of stock investing to heart as share turnover in the company is a minuscule 3% a year. Ten thousand dollars invested in Berkshire seventeen years ago would be worth over one million dollars now.

Robert Miles openly shares his failures and triumphs of his 30 year journey of stock investing with the decisive point his investment in Berkshire Hathaway. Ultimately, investing is a reflection of one's character developed over the years and Robert understands the traits of a successful investor and vividly portrays them in this book.

Thanks for the great book Bob.

Reason 102: buy 101 and invest with confidence
I just finished reading the 101 Reasons for owning Berkshire Hathaway book and found it very educational, enlightening, and exciting. Congratulations to Robert P. Miles on this outstanding contribution to our investment education and the clever way he made his points and presentation. I wish I had known its contents and wise counsel 30 years ago!

Highly Recommended!
Investor Robert P. Miles tells you everything you ever wanted to know about Warren Buffett's legendary Berkshire Hathaway. The company's plain-living, financial wizard of a chairman dominates this inventive and informative inside tour. The format - a listing of 101 reasons to own the stock - enables Miles to deliver a massive amount of information. Each entry is straightforward, packed with plenty of supportive data and a lively read. We from [...] recommend this book to investors and to anyone who'd like to know more about Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway, the only stock that comes with an owner's manual.

Investment for Idiots
(...) This is a loathesome. disagreeable book to anyone with even a smidgen of investment knowledge. Warren Buffet should be ashamed. I felt I was reading an Amway treatise with "Berkshire Hathaway" substituted for "Amway". I can't tell you haw many times I read the phrase "til death do you part". I got news for all you people investing in the market - that's just the way to get really burned. This isn't a marriage, it's a business decision, one that should be constantly reevaluated. And if you're going to hold it forever, and never sell, then yes, of course, you needn't ever think about it again. It might as well be a priceless family heirloom , not for sale at any price. This book just made me plain angry. I was looking to actually learn something about Warren Buffet and Berkshire Hathway; instead all I ever learned about was Miles' undying devotion, and unquestioning mindset. It does have a good list of investment web sites. Not worth the price of the book, however. ... Read more