Customer Reviews

The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio

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

 

 

Read this book as I was researching the topic of Index-funds. I have to say the first section has excellent historical perspective, to start your understanding of why Index funds are statistically more of a sure thing, than most mutual funds. The book should be a "MUST READ' for all beginners, AND to anyone who has spent any time investing and scratching their head wondering why they're not doing better. There's a reason - your part of 'the Market', which is made of both winners and losers. I get the idea that I'll be going back to this book from time to time, as a way to remind me of all the things I've forgotten along the way. A solid 4, maybe even 5 stars... enjoy.

The "Four Pillars of Investing" CD was very useful. Very easy to follow the basic fundamentals of investing. Explored some complex issues but broke each idea down to its most fundamental form. Well worth listening to for the beginner or intermediate investor.

This is an excellent overview for anyone beginning to invest or who has become disillusioned with active investing. It does a solid job of arguing the merits of asset allocation and index investing as a worry-free means to long-term financial security. I felt the most original part of the book and one of its most useful was the scathing but accurate indictment of financial journalism. As the author admits at the outset, this material is rather dry despite his attempts to inject some wit, but is truly valuable.
My only criticism is that, in terms of winning converts to this unexciting but intelligent approach to investing, the same objective has already been achieved more concisely, entertainingly and convincingly by the original works of John Bogle (Bogle on Mutual Funds, for example), whose contributions are glowingly acknowledged here.

This book is superbly written and can enormously benefit all investors whether novices or experts. It is patrticularly suited for investors who want to manage their own money.
It starts with pillar one(the theory) and explains asset alloction with scientific and historical data that are convincing. It explains the risk and reward of diferrent asset classes throughout history.Diversification into domestic stock, international and fixed assets are explained with historical returns and asset correlation.
The chapters on history of the different markets are excellent and tell you what to expect in the short, medium, and long run.
Behaviour finance discusses the mistake investors almost always make, following their intuition and the conventional wisdom of the era, and how to realize them and avoid them.
Withdrawing money in retirement is discussed in great detail with different scenarios, very useful.
The book is eminently readable; I have read it 3 times to reinforce some tough to implement ideas, including rebalancing, not selling in a panic, and to look at stocks as if they were tomatoes. Try to buy them when the're cheap and on sale.
After reading over 50 books on investments, this is the one to go to and to recommend to friends. You will not be disappointed

A book about investing that all should read. Not only is it readable, but the author makes the concepts interesting and enjoyable; the writing is tinged with humor as well. Brilliant exposition of the pitfalls of Wall St hype and financial management. A well-researched groundwork for a the rational approach to investing.

One of the best investment books I have read. It is a must read for all the investors.