No comments about The Funny Money Game.

1 comments about The Only Other Investment Guide You'll Ever Need.

1. Tobias ridicules all "systems" for making money on the stock market save one: buy low, sell high (well, you should hold for the long term and diversify).
   What else? Trust no one (e.g., brokers)AFTER ALL THEY MAKE THEIR MONEY SELLING IT TO YOU NOT BY MAKING YOU RICH.
   COMMON SENSE......Spend less than you earn.
   ITS 21 YEARS OLD SO MAY BE OUTDATED!

5 comments about My Vast Fortune: An Investor's Fiscal Triumphs and Money Misadventures.

1. This is an amusing and readable book, and worth reading. To the reviewer below that accuses Tobias of bragging about his "vast fortune,": the title of the book is meant IRONICALLY. It's like calling a bald guy "curly." Tobias obviously has money, but as he put it in his column recently, he's a "minor millionaire" which in the new world of billionaires might make a millionaire think he doesn't have much to brag about. And I don't see that Tobias brags at all: what makes his writing so funny, is he is a master of self-deprecating humor. He puts himself down a lot in endearing and funny ways. So those who think he's arrogant, etc., here, must have minds that aren't very good at comprehending subtleties in life. This is mainly a collection of previously published articles, which results in some dry patches, depending on your interests, but I think you'll find a lot of it worth your time. And, hey, I'm a heterosexual who always votes Republican and I STILL love Tobias' writing (a gay man who is treasurer for the Democratic National Committee, or whatever the heck that organization is called.)



2. The other reviews cover the contents quite well. This is a book that has tidbits which have stuck with me over time, such as Tobias' account of how he purchased air-time in Russia to warn people there about the dangers of smoking and foreign cigarette companies. Probably the most influential chapter for me in this election year is the one on auto insurance reform, in that it paints a picture of Ralph Nader as someone who is all-too-human on this issue. Mr. Nader appears to make up his mind early on to support his lawyer friends, and has a "please don't confuse me with the facts" attitude. Obviously this is Tobias' own view of the world, but as a liberal and a man whose father helped Nader first become famous, he is sad to see Nader refuse to even discuss the issue with him.

   The book occasionally meanders through topics and areas with little focus, such as his account of protracted real-estate headaches. That said, it is enjoyable overall in many ways and I definitely recommend it.




3. Ah, the elusive and mysterious world of personal finance. I first heard of Andrew Tobias from his website, where he dissects and explains all mutual funds expenses. Not all no-load funds are created equal, and I realized that thanks to him. This book is great to get a sense of who Andrew Tobias is, what his core investing philosophy is, and be entertained in the meantime (he has lived a fascinating life). I can see where those readers who know a couple of things about personal finance might be a bit frustrated with the book, which is more than anything an autobiography. It was certainly worth my while to read it, and I recommend it.



4. In this volume Andrew Tobias shares his adventures in personal finance and politics. The political part is only relevant as a guide to how things are actually done in that arena and also as a warning about how such things affect one's personal finances ( and perhaps as a plug for auto insurance reform). Tobias uses his personal experiences to support his position that slow wins the personal fortune game, even for those with a small fortune to start with. His involvement with auto insurance reform cost him money. His real estate investments are still up in the air. His Russian company and advertisments on smoking hazards worked to a degree. What is really great about this book is that Tobias takes you along on a ride through his personal finances:where his money came from, where it went to. Those looking for a finance guide in this book alone will be disappointed. It is more like the "laboratory research" that supports his point of view in The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need. The only quibble I have with the book is that Chapter 6 Your Vast Fortune appears rushed and scattered. As another reviewer pointed out most of this book is magazine articles collected together. It may be that the parts written to hold it all together are second rate. However, the book is humorous and a good read. It is definitely worth the time. It is also very self-effacing although I am not sure of the sincerity of the author in this regard.



5. This book was rather dissatisfying because it didn't spend nearly enough time talking about how he made his money (short answer: he is a best selling financial-advice author and leveraged that fame to selling financial software = royalties!).

   The book spends most of its time on a rambling (was there an editor??) account of his mis-dealings in real estate and social causes.

   Definitely NOT a how-to book, I didn't find it as entertaining as a memoir either.

   However, I *am* a fan of Tobias, and think his "Only Investment Guide" book is rather good.

4 comments about La Unica Guia de Inversion Que Usted Necesitar (The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need, Spanish Edition).

1. No compres este libro en español. Es una traduccion desastrosa. El traductor decidio traducir literalmente palabra por palabra y toda la exquisitez del libro en ingles se convirtio en BASURA. Si sabes un poco de ingles, lee la version original en ingles.



2. El mejor libro de este tipo que he leido, no es complicado de entender, da ejemplos claro de todo. Realmente es la unica guia de inversion que se necesita. Puede que la traduccion no sea muy buena, pero eso no le afecta al libro. No se lo pierda.



3. I found this book extremely helpful. I wish I had known about it before, It would have saved lots of time and money which I have spent on a few seminars. THis book goes into more detail and gives suggestions and examples we can use in our everyday life.



4. I don't like 'cos anythings wont apply to mexico

5 comments about The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need.

1. Great book to have on the shelf as a reference. Easy to understand and full of pertinent information. My daughter will graduate from college next month and she will receive a copy of this book as a graduation present.
   rich berman



2. I'll admit it. I'm pretty much a cynic. I've read a few finance books, and they often make me feel more daunted. Everyone comes across as all-knowing, that their advice is the best. The thing that makes this book different than many of the others, is because (as I believe he says in the intro) other books tell you how to play the game, but not whether or not you should be playing it at all. In this book, Tobias gives you perspective as to what kinds of investments you should be making, if at all. I really appreciate that aspect of the book. He really takes a birds-eye view of investing and personal finance. It was so good I thought I would buy a few copies and give them to my family and friends. This is the first review I've ever written on Amazon, and wouldn't spend my time otherwise, but it's a first-rate book. I wish he wrote some more books that followed up on this to go into more detail on related topics. I felt like I could trust his advice, which perhaps sounds dangerous, but at least that's how I felt. Great book, hope you learn something form it if you purchase it.



3. This is a good read for those of us looking to improve our financial health and know only a little about investing. No magic solutions here: save money and invest wisely. But what does investing wisely mean exactly? Read this book for more. The author reviews concepts we know about the benefits of compound interest and the wisdom of index funds, and he does this by using his own stories to make this dry subject a bit more fun. The version I read didn't have a section on ETFs so you'll have to look elsewhere for that information.



4. I found this book very readable and full of excellent information. Although not all the latest vehicles are included, the information is useful for the typical investor. It is easy to read and understand by the beginning investor.



5. It is funny how several reviewers criticize the author's recommendation to "not lose money", while that is the number one rule from the richest person on the planet, Warren Buffett.
   They miss the fact that there is more to that statement that its simple basic message.
   I too have read a number of investment books and I found this one to shine above the rest for a simple reason: It covers a wide range of basic investment options, without equivocating, and goes into just enough detail to explain the investment without bogging down the reader with unnecessary details. If the reader wants more info, they can certainly continue researching.
   I really like the fact that the author gives definite thumbs-up or thumbs-down to certain investment vehicles (and gives good reasons why), where other advisors hem and haw about even the most ridiculous ideas such as annuities.
   Some reviewers claim this book is for beginners while others say that it's NOT for amateurs. I think it requires some basic knowledge but overall is a great reference and guide to get the average investor on track to a good solid foundation in investing and well on their way to a respectable portfolio. Any expectations beyond that are totally misguided.