Customer Reviews

The Bond Bible

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a novice to the world of bonds, I really enjoyed reading the Bond Bible. Unlike many other investment books, the Bond Bible is actually fun and easy to read. In plain English, the book details the structure of many different types of bonds from simple Treasuries to more complex instruments like Ginnie Maes. More importantly, the author gives the beginning investor practical advice in locating bond bargains and devolving a portfolio strategy. Best of all, the book is packed with personal anecdotes of the author's own experiences in the bond world.

As both a seasoned bond veteran and Forbes/CNBC columnist, Marilyn Cohen is able to effectively communicate her intricate knowledge of the bond market to the everyday public.

"The Bond Bible" is a solid primer on bonds and bond trading for those who are not financial services professionals. Interest in fixed income investing has risen dramatically with the recent vicissitudes in the equity markets, but wise investors already had a portion of their portfolio assets in debt securities. Marilyn Cohen cites the rule of thumb that an investor should have a fixed income component equal in percentage to their age -- and while not an advocate of "rules of thumb" in general -- I agree. To steal a phrase from Warren Buffett -- it's often more important what you don't lose than what you make! The last two years in the equity markets have demonstrated the value of proper asset allocation, but before charging off to reallocate your investments into fixed income, read "The Bond Bible." A well managed bond element in your portfolio can reward you with income, capital appreciation, AND a return of principal. You won't see that in equities.

Ms. Cohen does a wonderful job of describing the complexities surrounding bonds and the fixed income markets in general. Her down to earth approach, including her real life examples, is refreshing compared to other books on this subject. If you are a do-it-yourselfer that has yet to delve into the world of bonds due to fear of the unknown you need to buy this book.

My knowledge about the bond market has increased dramatically since reading "The Bond Bible." As an investor and CPA, I can manuver around some of the pitfalls and sink holes waiting for uneducated investors.

I highly recommend the book to anyone that already owns bonds or is thinking about investing in bonds.

You've heard the old mantra: Diversify, Diversify, Diversify -- but have you actually heeded that advice? Until I read this book, I had no real concept of what bonds could do for my portfolio. To me, bonds were boring, stale, stagnant, and, well, really couldn't hold a candle to the potential double digit returns stocks and mutual funds could produce. Why would I even bother?

Marilyn Cohen takes you by the hand and walks you through the often convoluted terms (i.e. rate to maturity, convertible bonds, laddering, callability, etc.) and explains them in easy to understand terms with practical examples. Don't let that deter those of you that are experienced bond traders -- there are things in here for you too.

After reading this, I feel a lot more comfortable adding bonds to my portfolio, as well as talking about them with investment professionals. There's a lot of potential out there in the fixed income field if you know what you're looking for. At this point, I know enough to adequately diversify my portfolio.

After I lost a lot of money in the tech market crash, I needed a safe haven to begin investing again. In this bear market, I knew bonds were the way to go, but I didn't know anything about them.

This book gives concise answers, explaining what bonds are, how they work and how to effectively invest in them during this bear market.

I will continue to use this book as a reference guide even if the market decides to turn bullish again.

I've had enough stock-talk! I've listened to the experts and alot of good its done me! Bond advice? Get real, when "experts" talk about bonds its as if they are only talking to each other! Marilyn Cohen educates her readers like real people. The Bond Bible sheds light on a very necessary part of our portfolio (whether to protect against the not-so-reliable stock market) or to plan for retirement. Thank you, Ms. Cohen, there IS another way!

After getting slaughtered in the stock market this book helped me create a sensible bond portfolio. This is a must read book for everyone investing in bonds.

Marilyn was quoted has saying "Thank God for Meridith Whitney", praising Whitney's call for municipal bond holders to sell their tax free muni bonds with their high yields. Those who listened to Cohen and Whitney sold bonds that some times yielded more than 5% and missed the appreciation of their bonds to the tune of 10% . Now, if those investor's want to buy back those bonds they will have to pay a premium and get half the yield. I feel that Ms. Cohen did a serious injustice to muni bond investors that has cost bond investor's good tax free income and I am sure that they are disappointed with her bad call and lack of insight into the bond market. I would strongly suggest that readers take her advice with a grain of salt like other "experts" like Cramer and Whitney!

Good straight forward book. The only thing it needs is a dicussion about
researching the bonds, because AAA doesn't always mean anything any more.