5 comments about The Road to Wealth, Revised Edition.

1. As Suze Orman indicates at the beginning of this book, "The Road to Wealth" provides practical information for people who look to Suze Orman for clear, honest financial perspectives. Overall, the book is in a question and answer format with explanations of all new terms and examples which confirm the reader's understanding of the material. The chapters may be read independently if a single subject is of concern, or in order. I started at the beginning of the book and have read straight through. I've found the presentation of value personally and have insight, as well, into issues which may be ahead for me or are impacting people whom I know. This is both a reference book and an introduction to financial planning.



2. Don't know whether to invest in a 401k at work? Or how to best start saving for that new baby's college? Do I need a living will? These kind of questions invariably crop up as you start living life away from the nest, and Suze Orman does a very adept job at tackling the answers in a way that is readable and understandable by people who don't have expertise coming in.
   
   I like the way the book is organized. She presents her personal opinions on subjects at the start of each chapter, but the rest is dedicated to rapid fire Q&A. Find the question you have (pretty easy to do) and she gives you a digestable answer to get you started on the right path. I love that it's not a "cover-to-cover" sort of book...because that can get a bit dry.
   
   I get the sense that any real expert in the field would find some of her answers overly simplistic, but that's a minority of the population, and for those people, there's reams of other books to consider. For the rest of us, this book is a perfect and easy way to get started in the world of personal finance.



3. I bought this book as I watch Suze whenever I can find her on TV. While I have invested for sometime, I wanted to review some basic information on insurance. I then let a friend of mine borrow it as she is just starting out in the investment arena. This book is a great overall read and good for research when you find yourself ready to buy insurance, invest in 401 K's, IRA's or any other area you may have questions in. It is a hefty book coming in just a little short of 600 pages. Arm yourself with knowledge-I cannot think of a better book to keep around for research and knowledge.



4. Overall this is an OK book, with pretty good information. It poses financial questions that Suze then answers. The problem is that in 99% of the situations i.e. divorce, prenuptual agreements, or any other situation where the relationship does not work out, IT'S THE MAN'S FAULT. I am about 3/4's of the way through the book and I feel like I'm being insulted on almost every page.
   
   A prenuptual, a will in trust, or any other legal document is always to protect the woman. If you are a male you will definetly be offended by this book. AVOID IT.
   
   Again, while the book has good information, I would look for an author who has experienced fewer issues with the men in his/her life.



5. My concern after reading this book is did Orman follow her own advice to gain prosperity or did she gain prosperity from her other ventures? Not all of us can have a television show or sell millions of books. I can't help but question if her advice really works.

5 comments about Fibonacci Analysis (Bloomberg Market Essentials: Technical Analysis).

1. Tried my best to understand what I was reading,but just could not make the grade.Not my type of reading.Fibonacci is simply about retracements and expansion.This book makes Joe DiNapoli look like a genius.



2. Once I began to read this book I could not put it down, this is without doubt the most informative work I have read on this subject in my 20 years trading. The book is involved and it does require thoughtful study but that effort will I am certain be rewarded. If I knew nothing of Fibonacci at the outset this would still be the book for me, why waste time picking up bad habits from other books get it right the first time.
   
   regards.



3. I have read this book twice and started using the confluence zones. Now the book is used like a daily reference manual.
   
   Keep in mind that the other reviews you see above are correct; knowledge of technical analysis is helpful in understanding this information. I have been investing and trading for several years and I have also accumulated 100 books on the subject. None of these books ever compelled me to write to the author and thank them for writing their book; that is until this one. Constance has a gift for teaching. Being brilliant helps too! This book is required reading for the serious trader.
   I am amazed at what happens in the confluence zones!! I am getting better and better at drawing the correct Fib Levels and my zones are becoming meaningful and respected. This makes me freak out a little because these are levels I would never see otherwise; they have no meaning until you find them!! (if that makes any sense at all)I know several traders who think they are using Fibonacci Levels. Now I recognize that they are using Fibonacci all wrong. I was too; before I read this book.
   
   My advice; get the book, read it, read it, read it; then practice like you have never practiced before.
   
   Tools are only as good as the hand they find themselves in; be committed and this will amaze you too.



4. Having just graduated college in May, I've gotten some new books to further my education as I combat this terrible financial job market. After hearing the advertisements for this book on Bloomberg Radio I decided to check it out and let me tell you this book is no cake walk. Granted, I am not an extensive trader and only am a student of Finance and have no applied concepts learned in school to call myself an "experienced" financial professional.
   
   Like other reviews say, you will need to re-read chapters and don't even think about taking a day off haha. I took 2 days off from reading and had to re read the chapter and the chapter before it, it takes a lot of time and practice, but the knowledge you gain from this book is a good foundation to build upon. I find the concept of Fibonacci Analysis to be exciting and worth while to know. I suggest this book for everyone, but they have to be committed to learning.
   
   It does help to have a technical analysis background, but not necessary, just takes a little longer to understand what shes talking about when she speaks of Gann Analysis and Elliot Wave's. Overall, a great book, only reason why I give it a 4 out of 5 star is that she claims this book can be read by someone who has no experience in fibonacci, and she is half right in that statement, but if you have no experience, you will get lost sort of fast. I've enjoyed this read, but am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for books on Gann Analysis?



5. Fibonacci seems to be an area of technical analysis that is very poorly covered in the literature. There are several books but many of them are by writers of newsletters (and the books often spend page after page on historical irrelevant detail). This doesn't automatically make the books bad, but it is likely that the author will hold back certain information.
   
   This book is not for beginners. I would buy Robert Miner's book to get the received wisdom on Fibonacci retracements and extentions. Then I would experiment trading on those ideas for a couple of years. Anything above this level isn't in the public domain and you have to be prepared to spend a lot of time doing research. If you want to learn more you can consider buying this book or another specialised book (Greenblatt or Boroden). But be aware: The further you read this book the more opaque it becomes. I think you also need to subscribe to the author's newsletter. So this author does hold back information, but in the earlier chapter the writing is fairly straightforward and some testable ideas are presented.
   
   Personally I have decided not to go down this route. I do believe there is value in basic Fibonacci ratios, but there is too much mysticism in the advanced literature for my comfort. Maybe I'm missing something, but I take the risk.
   
   I've still given this book 3 stars because I suppose it is cutting edge and if you are interested in the area it is worth getting other people's ideas for forward your own thinking.
   
   I have written several short reviews on trading books. The best way is to compare the score on the books I've read. Many reviews on amazon.com are just glorious 5 star reviews. I use all five categories; sorry but everything isn't "great". Books rated 5 are very good. Books rated 4 are good solid books well worth reading. Books rated 3 can be bought by some people who read a lot or have very specific needs. Books rated 1 or 2 I would not recommend buying or reading. Naturally all in my humble opinion.

5 comments about High Probability trading.

1. Very good book. Alot of info to digest. I wish the featured charts were larger and in color. The writer is a bit self aggrandizing and writes in a condescending manner. If you can get pass that, you can learn from him.



2. Because since Option Trading is a zero sum game(I believe), I want to sell my profitable premiums to novice and ignorant traders who don't use the author's methodology which is simple but brilliant. I bought around 20 books on trading and I use 80% of his methodology and I have to say,though not spectacular,his methodology gives me consistent profits and minimal losses. Never have I had any regrets lingering in my mind after completing this book and applying it.=) So traders out there,please don't buy this book,so that trading will be less competitive.lol =)



3. Just finished reading "High Probability Trading" and have to say that it is a must have book for any serious trader. Marcel Link writes with simplicity and clarity and conveys much information needed to be successful in trading. The book covers technical analysis, money management (my favorite topic) and trading with a plan. It is this book's ability to cover complicated topics in a conversational way (not overly technical) that brings home the concepts needed to be profitable consistently.
   
   Love his passage about Charles Dickens's "David Copperfield" excerpt where Link writes that Dickens "...is saying, Make more than you spend (lose) and you will do fine, but if you spend (lose) more than you make, you are ruined...". Very true - simple on the surface - but an essential lesson to getting profitable in trading or any life endeavor. The Dickens analogy is an example of how Link is able to draw you away from the traditional "trading" jargon long enough to think on another mental plane so that you can come back to your trading with new understanding.
   
   Another book that may be useful in addition to Link's is "The ART of Trading" by Bennett McDowell The ART of Trading: Combining the Science of Technical Analysis with the Art of Reality-Based Trading (Wiley Trading) since it offers you a chance to take a 30-day trial of the ART trading software, and I've found it to be a very useful tool in my trading.



4. As an advanced beginner trader, this is one of my favorite books. It does not fill up pages with self-serving marketing, quick get rich schemes, or fluff. It gives you the basic no-nonsense tools relevant for whatever market you trade: creation of a concrete trading plan, importance of specific types of discipline (not just generalities), specific tips on system trading, backtesting, managing your risk, and handling your trading money. It also contains specifics on entries, exits, and technical indicators-not an encyclopedia, but a discussion relevant to an advanced beginner. This is very quickly grown to be my favorite book-complex enough that many sections need a re-read, but not overly academic, and full of realism. Highly recommend it for traders in any market.



5. I didn't like this book. Clearly it is aimed at beginners and it tries to cover technical analysis, money management, trading psychology, and system testing. Just too much to be able to cover anything in depth. However, the author seems honest in his approach of trying to tell the reader a bit about everything he has learnt himself.
   
   This book would have been much better by cutting down the amount of text, especially the sections that state the obvious, for instance the 30 odd bullet points that end each (!) chapter.
   
   For the beginner I would rather recommend Robert Miner's book with an almost identical title. That book doesn't tire the intelligent beginner with loads of different things.
   
   I have written several short reviews on trading books. The best way is to compare the score on the books I've read. Many reviews on amazon.com are just glorious 5 star reviews. I use all five categories; sorry but everything isn't "great". Books rated 5 are very good. Books rated 4 are good solid books well worth reading. Books rated 3 can be bought by some people who read a lot or have very specific needs. Books rated 1 or 2 I would not recommend buying or reading. Naturally all in my humble opinion.

5 comments about The Complete TurtleTrader: The Legend, the Lessons, the Results.

1. The book will be very interesting for readers who are new to trading literature and moderately interesting to those who have already read about trading, and trend trading in particular (I've read the author's magnum opus "Trend Following" and recommend it strongly).
   
   As to the guide motive of The Complete Turtle Trader I wasn't convinced that "The Turtle experiment proved that nurture trumps nature" as the author states repeatedly. Why?
   
   1/The Turtles were recruited not randomly but in a careful selection process. Clearly, they were perceived by R.Dennis as candidates having certain natural potential to become traders when nurtured/trained.
   
   2/Turtles didn't risk their own money which seems the number one obstacle to trading success - a psychological one, it is called fear, while all the Turtles had to fear was not following through on job description provided by R.Dennis and W. Eckhardt, helpful indeed, although still not an easy task. Why only a small minority of the original group remained successful traders, or traders at all, after the experiment was over(many turned school teachers we learn)? In my opinion the conclusive experiment started rather then ended when the group got disbanded.
   
   3/This point is less important than the earlier two - Turtles didn't develop their methods which is an intellectual challenge, in fact less formidable than the psychological challenge of trading, and also weren't faced with the question whether or not to adjust their methods when and if markets changed. As far as I know the 20 day breakout they applied with success during the time of the experiment doesn't work nearly as well as it did (famous L.Raschke, one of J.Schwager's Market Wizzards, has coined the name "Turtle Soup" for one of her trading setups - fading the 20-day breakout.
   
   In conclusion: narture alone can very often be insufficient to become and remain successful at trading.



2. It looks like ideas from this book still works. One of the interesting example of similar approach - Alexander Rezviakov in Russia, whose approach very similar to approach in this book. Even ideas like "...looking at the news for decision-making cues was the wrong thing to do.". Very interesting, that Alexander start his public lectures about a year before this book was published.
   
   Maybe Donchinan's channels are old-fashioned nowadays, but main idea - turn off TV, focus at the price, catch the trend, use stops and some other - is still is up to date.



3. Congrats - All the basics are right in front of the reader... The info in this books gives the serious reader a basic structure, and allows them to then build their own personalized methods around a time proven concept.
   
   Eastern Research & Trading
   Bill G. / Singapore



4. Good book. A lot of traders get caught up in the fundamental garbage, especially when they start out. Focusing on the noise just takes your attention off of what really matters - making money. I can't cant the number of times when a crop report comes out that supports my bias on the market, only to see the market move the opposite direction. The author did a great job of showing a simple system that performs over time. Too often we trade to feed our ego, not to make money. I don't know about you, but I just want to make money. The easiest way to do it is to follow the method that others are using to make cash. This book outlined the strategy and showed how others are doing it right now. It almost gives you the edge because you don't have to do the research on what everyone else is doing. This book straightens out the learning curve.



5. 
   Based on the title "The complete Turtle Trader" I was expecting more than a story describing the different participants, results and trading personalities. The book did not discuss the trading methodology in any details that can allow an average trader to duplicate. Most of the Rules were general in nature, for example "buying new breakouts" "being comfortable in shorting the market" "stop watching TV and base your trading on price action, i.e., open high low close". A more detailed description on risk control and money management is given but not much different than you find in other books.
   The last 40 or so pages are a compilation of trading results with the appendix.
   One interesting point is that Turtle Traders in most cases were not using their own money which takes out the emotion from trading and this could be the reason for their success. A feature that cannot be duplicated by someone trading their own money since emotions always tend to get in the way.
   Nevertheless it is an interesting read and for that reason the 4 star rating

5 comments about Technical Analysis: The Complete Resource for Financial Market Technicians.

1. This is the most robust reference book about the technical analysis (TA) I have ever read. If you read it, you'll acquire the big picture of what TA is all about. Nothing is left over, except for the voo doo methods, like Gann analysis. The authors are reasoning in a logical way, and refer to external research results as much as possible, rather than just their own experience. The authors are not high about any method, like most of the other authors on the topic. They describe the bright and dark sides of every TA tool. A balanced and objective judgement makes you trust the authors. If you start in TA, it's the best book to get started - you'll get a realistic view of what TA is all about, without any bias towards any of the methods (well, maybe except for the long term chart patterns and Bollinger Bands?). If you're advanced, you'll get all your knowledge properly sorted and tested.



2. Great book for those looking for a place to start on Technical Analysis. I highly recommend this book, great addition to my collection.



3. Previous reviewers have summarized the bios of the authors and the form of this book, so there is no need for me to reinvent the horse or belabor the wheel. Simply put this is the finest textbook on the subject. I am overcome by envy and admiration at the achievement represented here. Students and readers tend to look at a book and assess its worth. Authors of long books tend to look at a book, assess its quality and sigh over the amount of work which went into it. A colossal amount of work. A colossal contribution to the field.
   W.H.C. Bassetti
   Malcom S.M. Watts III Adjunct Professor
   Finance and Economics
   Golden Gate University San Francisco
   Editor & Coauthor of Edwards & Magee's
   Technical Analysis of Stock Trends, 9th Ed.



4. I have not read the more well known Technical Analysis books from John Murphy or Martin Pring but this one caught my eye. I leafed through it a few times before buying it. It is written like a textbook for students and gives an objective view on all topics of trading. There is a huge bibliography at the back that is referred to throughout the chapters. There are also numerous websites referred to in the text so I would recommend reading the book with a pencil and paper.
   
   Overall the authors have done a sterling job and every trader and investor should have a copy on his/her bookshelf as a reference.



5. If you don't know the field and want an overview this textbook is very good. You get the overview, but that is all. You have to do with very basic fundamental description. You don't get any information about the usefulness of each approach. So don't expect to use this book for trading. At the most it can be used for directing your search for further information. If you know the field, the book is still okay. Since it covers all areas of technical analysis it can be good to see what you have missed.

5 comments about DeMark Indicators (Bloomberg Market Essentials: Technical Analysis).

1. I've been struggling for weeks now to recreate many of Demark's indicators for the Ninjatrader platform in C# - relying soley on the original explainations in Tom Demark's book. There are a lot of very detailed logic rules for these indicators that , if you blink, you'll miss a step in the procedure. Jason Perl's book is exactly what I have been looking for.
   He breaks down each indicator in a top down pseudo code step by step format that makes understanding and code translation a breeze. There are also numerous Q & A's that I found extremely insighful.
   HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!



2. For years I've been trading using Tom DeMark's indicators, I have produced my implementations of TDSequential, TDCombo, TDST ( In QuoteTracker, Worden Blocks e.t.c). It was a very long "trial and errors" process.
   DeMark's works have lots of haters who have difficult time to admit that something that "simple" could (if interpreted correctly) produce such steady trading profits in ANY kind of market.
   When I saw this book appeared on Amazon - I ordered it right away, just needed to see what it had to offer ( so little info on DeMArk for retail full time traders)
   I wish I had that book when I was coding DeMark indicators - it would save me lots of time - this book is a "MUST READ" for anyone who is a serious trader, it sorts and logically arranges what was scattered across the pages of DeMark's own books. THANK YOU!
   DavidDT of trading-to-win



3. This book is excellent if you want to know how to construct the DeMark indicators. It tells you all the parameters and goes into all the subtleties. However, if you are buying this book to write a black box it doesn't give you a full trading strategy. The reason for this is it allocates very little time on exit strategy - 95% of the book is on entry. Additionally there is no description as to how the default parameters have been decided. (The 9 and 13 particularly - they are just assumed from page one.) However, as I have said, if you are looking for a book that clearly explains the entry techniques that DeMark uses this is for you.



4. This book provides the clearest exposition of Tom Demark's work that I have seen, explaining both how to implement the indicators and giving suggestions for interpreting them as a discretionary trader or as part of a mechnical system.
   
   It is written from the perspective of a practitioner and targets that audience - Jason has been extremely generous in disclosing many tricks of the trade in applying the indicators that one otherwise could only learn painfully from watching several years of market behaviour under different regimes. For example, he explains how a trend-follower can use TD Setups in combination with TDST lines - an idea not explained elsewhere.
   
   Jason Perl is the expert on the application of TD Wave (Tom Demark's rigorous variation of Elliott Wave), and the explanation of how to use this tool in combination with other indicators is on its own worth a multiple of the price of the book.



5. This is a handbook on the DeMark indicators. The book is useful if you subscribe to the indicators on Bloomberg, etc. You won't find these indicators on Esignal, Tradestation or on free websites.
   
   So does this book contain anything useful for the rest of us? Yes, if you want to program the indicators yourself in whatever system you are using.
   
   And for the rest of us that are not programmers? No. This book is not for us.
   
   However, I would assume these indicators will be available for all systems in a couple of years. So I give the book 3 stars.
   
   I have written several short reviews on trading books. The best way is to compare the score on the books I've read. Many reviews on amazon.com are just glorious 5 star reviews. I use all five categories; sorry but everything isn't "great". Books rated 5 are very good. Books rated 4 are good solid books well worth reading. Books rated 3 can be bought by some people who read a lot or have very specific needs. Books rated 1 or 2 I would not recommend buying or reading. Naturally all in my humble opinion.

5 comments about A Bull in China: Investing Profitably in the World's Greatest Market.

1. As a professional in the investment business I highly recommend this book. I will sum it up in a few words. A book that all CEOs, World Leaders and anyone serious about understanding the positioning of the United States in the decades to come. A fascinating book written by an intriguing person, the combination equals a must read.



2. I agree with Jim Rogers. China is way too important for investors to ignore. China is growing fast and they are here to stay and perhaps are on their way to become the next great world power. But I found Rogers' book very flimsy. If you are unfamiliar with the changes in China, there are many other better books that can help you to better understand the changes. If you already know about these changes, then this book adds hardly anything. Book is also poorly organized. One minute he can be talking about the different dynasties or the cultural revolution, the next minute he talks about the newest companies in different industries.
   
   From an investor's perspective, it gives you some information about various companies and types of shares (ie: A shares, H shares, etc.). There is no depth though. There are lists of companies in various industries, but Rogers provides hardly any information. He also does not teach you how to find out more about these companies and regulations that might affect investors. For example there are no answers to important questions like: Does China have anything analogous to SEC, GAAP? Where can we get financial statements on companies listed in Shanghai stock exchange? What is executive compensation like? Etc.
   
   If you are thinking about investing in China then it is important to understand their culture, politics and recent business environment and Rogers tries to provide readers with some basic material here, but the lack of depth or new insights make this book not worthwhile. Here are some other books that I recommend:
   
   China Wakes (a little outdated but still very important)
   China Road
   Wild Swans



3. 1. The Chinese saving and investment rate exceeds 35 percent among its 1.3 billion people.
   
   2. There is room for upward growth in Chinese industry, including power and energy, tourism and media, agriculture, infrastructure, and high tech.
   
   3. American Depositary Receipts is a way for Americans to invest in China.
   
   4. Changes in regulation, reduction of tariffs, and the promise of greater market access for foreign first are beginning to shape competition in fields like banking, media, and telecommunications.
   
   5. Commodities will be a way to profit from China's expansion. Owing a piece of the things that china's hot economy simply can't do without guarantees less need to worry about governments, management, or pension funds.
   
   6. In 2006, China attracted $70 billion in foreign investment and brought their foreign currency reserves about $1.3 trillion.
   
   7. Do you want to profit from increased purchasing power of the biggest middle class the world has ever seen?
   
   8. Huawei Technologies sold 1.5 million notebooks in 2006.
   
   9. Lenovo Group (LNVGY) caters to 160 countries and 2006 revenues reached $1.3 billion
   
   10. China Spacesat (SHA) has increased orders for smaller satellites.
   
   11. Shanghai Aerospace Automobile Electromechanical engages in military and civilian work, makes satellite-data-receiving equipment, auto parts, battery panels, and solar battery panels.
   
   12. 2006, there are 137 million internet user in China and 76% have high speed internet. There are eighty million bloggers. Shanda Interactive Entertainment (SNDA) claims 2.29 million active accounts.
   
   13. China has a baseball league, the CBL, Basketball (CBA), football (CSL).
   
   14. 2006, China had sixty million credit card owners. 2009, the banks break even and by 2013, they are $1.3 billion in the black.
   
   15. 2006, there were 440 million mobile phone services and another 48 million expect to join by 2007. China Mobile is the largest cell phone operator with 300 million subscribers.
   
   16. Keeping holdings in the Chinese Yuan, or renminbi, may be a relatively safe way to hitch an upward ride on China's growth.
   
   17. It is reasonable to expect a 300 to 500 percent rise against the debt ridden US dollar over the next twenty years.
   
   18. In 2005, there were an estimated 510,000 public disputes across China, a sign that some forms of protests are being allowed. Will the turmoil rise to the point where it would seriously affect the business and investment climate?
   
   19. Three reason why China's economy will flourish: a. rural dwellers replenishing aging labor b. corruption is comparable to Asian tigers c. foreign companies will invest to solve China's environmental problems.
   
   20. There are 110 million Chinese carriers of hepatitis B and C.
   
   21. Will China float its currency freely. The yuan levels against the dollar are increasingly strong. Will the higher valuations on the yuan cripple Chinese exports? Foreign investment and Chinese innovation should sustain demand for higher quality Chinese products, a similar cycle that the Japanese import/export cycle experienced in the 70s/80s/90s.
   
   22. Is China heading for a "hard landing" as the Chinese government struggles to control growth. China's growth may not be strongly tied to US economics. In 1997, during the Asian financial crisis, China's market soared 38 percent. In 2000, as the US internet bubble burst, China's economy surged forward 49 percent. The US imports are not the only influence in China. Much of China's growth has been internal and stimulated by domestic demand. Because China is a country with high savings, a stock crash won't have the same impact on capital for expansion. Chinese companies have plenty of places other than the stock market for cash.
   
   23. 2006, sixty-five million investment accounts or 10 percent of the population of China, grow from nothing.
   
   24. What are the biggest challenges facing China? Excess liquidity, balooning credit, an asset boom and over-investment in loss-making heavy industries. All factors in Japan's downturn through the 80s.
   
   25. In 2006, China produced 50 percent of the cameras, 30 percent of the worlds air conditioners, and 40 percent of the microwaves sold in Europe.
   
   26. In 2005, 98 percent of villages were electrified and the second largest consumer of electricity in the world. By the end of the 1990s, the Chinese central government controlled less than 50 percent of the power production. The Big five include China Datang Corp, China Power Investment Corp, China Huaneng Group, China Guodian Corp, and China Huadian Corp.
   
   27. China needs $2 trillion in electricity infrastructure between 2001 and 2030. In China, coal accounts for 70% of the electricity capacity. In 2007, China became a net importer of Coal.
   
   28. China will reach US oil consumption of 20 million barrels a day within twenty years. China imports 3.5 million barrel/day of oil. Chinese oil refineries are among the best-managed enterprises. Due to price control, China ranks with the US among the countries with the lowest gas prices. The Chinese governments have been will to let gas prices rise to regulate use and allow Chinese oil companies to stay profitable. Chinese oil companies boost exports of diesel to take advantage of better prices on the world market.
   
   29. The Chinese government plans on spending $200 billion on renewable energy.
   
   30. China ranks number one in world farm output. China has a rural population of 940 million. China's farm production remains relatively unproductive. A single US farm hand works 140 acres and is 200 times more productive than his Chinese counterpart, who works one acre. China plans on a $42 billion investment in agrarian infrastructure: more efficient irrigation systems, retail markets, and e-commerce.
   
   31. Between 2000 and 2004, China jumped from nineth to fourth in world agricultural exports by emphasizing products they have a comparative advantage: a half pound peach, fuji apples, Chinese Walnuts, mushrooms, garlic, Christmas trees, Mandrin Oranges, and strawberries.



4. As a big Jim Rogers fan, I am amazed to find myself giving his book a 1 star rating. While his first 3 books were excellent, this book should never have been published.
   
   The book gives a cursory rehash of the "China is the next great super power" argument (which I believe is true) and then just gives long lists of random Chinese stocks with short and shallow rambles in between stock lists.
   
   The book makes it clear that the listed stocks are not recommended stocks, just a long list of all the Chinese stocks that the author could come up with. It's obvious that no research was done on the stocks listed and most have no more than 1 paragraph on them describing what they do.



5. Anytime someone makes you a lot of money, you tend to become a fan. And so I am a fan of Jim Rogers. I believe this man makes a lot of sense when he talks economics. I learned this by reading his earlier books about driving around the world. He admits to being a lousy trader. But he is great at looking at the big picture and investing according.
   
   He made me money with an earlier book, Hot Commodities, which I had for four years before I invested in commodities. If I had invested when I first read the book, I would be retired 2 or 3 times over. Even though commodities have taken a huge tumble lately the bull market is not over yet and they will make me more money.
   
   But this book is about the money that can be made in China. If you watched the 2008 Olympics you saw a new China. The reports from China are amazing. The growth, the production, the consumption, and everything about China is not just super-sized, it's gigantic-sized. With three stock exchanges, close to double digit GDP growth every year, and the largest financial reserves, there is plenty of opportunity here.
   
   I am writing this review to help you decide if you should buy this book or not. I hope this review helps. If you want to read more of my reviews of stock trading and investment book, you can get them at www.thetradingtipster.com.
   
   Another reviewer has already painstakingly detailed the book chapter by chapter. My takeaway is that if you are looking for places to invest, then get this book. It explains why China is growing and why it will continue to grow. This book also breaks down all the sectors of the economy. Everything from travel to agriculture to the Chinese space program is discusses and dissected in easy to understand language. Dozens of companies are also listed with brief descriptions of each. The descriptions are good because you get a sense of what if happening in China, but for the average American investor most of these companies cannot be invested in.
   
   But even if you only focus on Chinese companies listed on NYSE and NASDAQ or get into the Chinese Market ETF (FXI) you can still make a nice long term gain. The author stresses that investing in China is a long term process with ups and many downs along the way. He does not recommend any company in the book, he only mentions them to give the reader a broad understanding.
   
   If you want to know what's going on in China and profit from it, from a man who knows how to make money, this book is a great place to start. It opened my eyes to China when I first read it and am patiently waiting for an opportunity to invest in the largest bull market of our lifetime. The author compares China to the Wild West of America. Lots of money to be made, but you have to be careful.
   
   By looking at the trends in the US market and what is going on around the world, it makes sense to reason that investments for the next few decades will probably get a higher return in places like China than in the US. Even if you don't agree with me on this point, you will probably agree that diversifying by investing in China is not a bad idea. And if you believe that then this book will help.

5 comments about Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques, Second Edition.

1. If you want to learn candlestick stock trading this is the only
   book you will ever need. It's very good. It has lots of pictures.



2. Steve Nison is truely the father of Japanese Candlestick into the western. He explained why candles are made and how the candle can be a signal to get into a trade and when to get off. The convergence of East and West makes my trading more manageable and honestly, I have "profit"-ed after reading this book. Very highly recommended!



3. Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques, Second EditionThis Second Edition is the basic "Bible" on candlesticks. Most traders will have/need this on their reference shelf.



4. A very good book. Tells about all the different candle signals....i think all of them. I stopped using candlestick charts cuz i of how i am trading now and i dont see any advantage with the candles. THey trick me too much. But if you are interested in candles you need to buy this book. And really, you can see all the same signs using bars if you pay attention. Great book!!



5. I've read Bigalow's first book and Bulkowski's "Encyclopedia of Candlesticks".
   
   Steve's book is much better that these two books. Actually, you only need one book to learn the candles. It is hard to know how much knowledge an author really have when it comes to trading books. The really successful traders tend not to write at all. In any case, I get the impression reading the books that Steve has deeper knowledge than Bigalow. So that should make the choice between the two easy. The book by Bulkowski is not an introduction so I won't comment further on that book.
   
   I have written several short reviews on trading books. The best way is to compare the score on the books I've read. Many reviews on amazon.com are just glorious 5 star reviews. I use all five categories; sorry but everything isn't "great". Books rated 5 are very good. Books rated 4 are good solid books well worth reading. Books rated 3 can be bought by some people who read a lot or have very specific needs. Books rated 1 or 2 I would not recommend buying or reading. Naturally all in my humble opinion.

5 comments about Unconventional Success: A Fundamental Approach to Personal Investment.

1. Swensen provides a excellent analysis of different asset classes and the roles they play (or fail to play) in diversifying portfolios. For example, he clarifies the different diversifying roles of conventional Treasury bonds and TIPS, and explains why corporate, municipal and foreign bonds cannot be substituted. He also demonstrates the advantages of periodic portfolio rebalancing for the disciplined investor.
   
   In what almost amounts to a book within a book, Swensen forcefully chronicles the failure of the mutual fund industry and its regulators to serve the interests of individual investors. This discussion is a must-read for anyone concerned about the implications of the shift towards investor managed defined contribution pension plans as the primary vehicle for retirement savings.
   
   Swensen has not written a practical how-to guide to personal investing or asset allocation; rather, he argues for an approach to personal investing built around core principles. Intellectually-oriented investors will be well served by this book as preparation for developing a personalized investment program.



2. Let's face it, I'm a 30 something Stay At Home Mother with two kids, a husband, a mortgage and a dog.
   
   I heard the book referenced on NPR and thought it would be a worthwhile read. Now I'm asking better questions.
   
   Mostly though I found it frighting.
   
   If you'll excuse me I'm going to resume my ostrich pose.



3. This book outlines very fundamental concepts, and explains investment vehicles in detail, although it's not necessary to read all of it to 'get it'. Swensen's discussion of not only appropriate risk and diversification techniques, but the emotional discipline and practices that it takes to be successful over spans of years are extremely insightful and practical. The introduction, chapter 1, and chapter 3 are worth the price alone.



4. I really like this book. It lays out the argument for a diversified portfolio in a way that I have not seen in other similar books. He analyzes each asset class and explains its plusses and minuses. He arrives at the conventional diversified portfolio, but with some unconventional flourishes - for example, no corporate bonds. But the real strength of this book is that the reader will come away with a strong understanding of why each asset class is important to have in a diversified portfolio.
   
   The second half of the book is a diatribe against the mutual fund industry. I found it eye opening.
   
   The book is not technical, but it does assume a certain level of familiarity with the jargon of the investment world. I wouldn't recommend it for a complete beginner, but rather for someone who wants to go a little deeper beyond the usual discussion of asset allocation.



5. David Swensen has done a magnificant service to the individual investor by writing this book. He explains all of the undisclosed charges that are hidden within actively managed mutual funds and gives two examples of not-for-profit mutual fund families who are investor friendly. One happens to be The Vanguard Group with its index funds that he recommends because of their low fees. David Swensen's reputation as a premier money manager is due to his excellent record at Yale managing their endowment for over twenty years with an average return of better than 16 percent. After reading this book you will not want to trust your money to another for-profit mutual fund company but instead invest in index funds or ETFs for the next 20-30 years. As for ETFs, he also explains how most have drifted off course through the years and no longer deliver good value. He suggests sticking with the core ETF's and he explains which ones those are along with their expenses.
   
   I would recommend this book to anyone who values his or her money and wants to retain the most of it when investing it in the "MARKET".

5 comments about Home Buying For Dummies, 3rd edition.

1. it is a must read if you are a first time home buyer. I knew what to ask, what to expect. I am not money savvy, but the morgage section is simple enough that I feel that helped me getting the best deal possible.



2. If you've never bought a home before, buy this book. It gives you a good overview of many areas of the homebuying process. If the thought of purchasing your first home is a bit daunting, educate yourself. This doesn't give you every single detail that you need to know, but it will help you ask informed questions and lead you on your way.



3. I recently ordered several mortgage books as learning and reference tools as I embark on my new career as a loan officer. I have not read any of the books from cover to cover, but they are serving me well for the purpose intended. The book arrived in a timely manner and in the condition described.



4. Full of interesting things about home buying. I wish that in some parts it would have gone more in depth. But in the end I felt like I learned a lot from this book.



5. A guide to home buying in the classic "for Dummies" format. This book covers the basics and the not-so-basics of residential home buying and provides a step-by-step guide to purchasing your own house. Among other topics, the book provides valuable advise regarding how to get started, how to select an agent, how to shop for a mortgage and so forth. Better yet, it does so in an understandable, but not oversimplified manner. Starting from absolute scratch, I personally found the book invaluable in purchasing my first home. Home Buying for Dummies is certainly not the final word in real estate, but it provides sufficient and highly usable information for the first-time home buyer. Read it before you meet with a buyer's agent and you can't help but get off to a great start.