Reading books is a smart alternative to “learning by doing” and especially when you are in the business of managing money, it certainly pays making friends with top minds in the business. However, not all books are made equal and neither is our spare time infinite to peruse through most of the titles on the shelf. Being a lousy socializer has its own virtues; I get loads of time making friends with eminent dead (and alive too). This blog lists out the few investment books that I have read or intend to read and carries my recommendation (review in few cases) on the same.

This blog is also a vent for me to publish my cynical take on investing and all that crap and noise associated with it. This, however, should not imply that the idea behind the blog is to separate the chaff from wheat (I have no clue what they look like). On the contrary, the thoughts and the recommended books will only add to the already smoky scene. These thoughts however would be very sporadic and will address issues of “fundamental nature” rather than “current noises”.

Also included in the blog are links to resources which provide quality content for free (more or less). Feedback sans the four letter word f*** (and other words of similar disposition) are welcome

Legends (Book Rating)
$$$$$ - Beg, borrow or steal but do read
$$$$ - A must read
$$$ - Certainly worth your dollars and time
$$ - Charity will be a better alternative
$ - I do not read/review trash

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Freakonomics



Book Title: Freakonomics
Author(s): Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner
Rating: $$$
Comment: If you think your analysis goes against the conventional wisdom/popular beliefs, you have got company.

FAQ:

Q. Which of the following areas is the book best geared at; Investment Philosophy, Hands on Stock Picking, Big Picture/Macro Analysis, Fresh Perspective on Investing, etc?
A. I have not come across an analysis which is this thorough, precise and above all, convincingly invalidates all popular/conventional beliefs. Though no apparent relationship with investments, it will strongly influence your approach to research and analysis

Q. Is this book meant for me?
A. If your job involves a fair amount of analysis, definitely yes

Q. Would it help me become a better investor?
A. A better decision maker, irrespective of your occupation

Q. Is the style of the book dry and boring?
A. Damn exciting, you better read it on uninterrupted weekends

Q. Is it academically bent and laced with jargon?
A. Nothing of this kind


Author’s Bio (from the book’s jacket or elsewhere):
STEVEN D. LEVITT teaches economics at the University of Chicago. His idiosyncratic economics research into areas as varied as guns and game shows has triggered debate in the media and academic circles. He recently received the American Economics Association’s John Bates Clark Medal, awarded every two years to the best American economist under forty.

STEVEN J. DUBNER lives in New York City. He writes for The New York Times and the New Yorker, and is the bestselling author of Turbulent Souls and Confessions of a Hero-Worshipper. In August 2003 Dubner wrote a profile of Levitt in The New York Times magazine. The extraordinary response that article received led to a remarkable collaboration. Freakonomics is the eagerly anticipated result.
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