Julian Robertson: A Tiger in the Land of Bulls and Bears [Hardcover]

Daniel A. Strachman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 27, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0471323632 | ISBN-13: 978-0471323631 | Edition: 1

Julian Robertson is one of the most successful and well-known hedge fund managers of our time. For nearly twenty years his infamous fund--Tiger Management--was the talk of the town, routinely delivering double-digit performance. This biography will explore this legendary fund manager's role in the development and popularity of hedge funds, examine his investment methodology and strategy, and look at the growth of his fund and his 'Tigers'--individuals who have gone on to great success themselves.
* Includes candid interviews of Robertson, his colleagues, and his peers
* Uncovers the trading strategies and investment style of a legendary fund manager
* Offers a rare glimpse inside the personal world of Julian Robertson
READERSHIP: Those with any interest in or knowledge of hedge funds, business readers, investment professionals.
Daniel A. Strachman is Managing Director of Answers Company, a New York-based money management firm that offers investment management services to individuals and institutions. He has contributed many articles on investment management and strategies to publications including the New York Post and the Financial Times and is also the author of Getting Started in Hedge Funds (Wiley 2000).
Also available by Daniel Strachman, Getting Started in Hedge Funds, 0471316962 Paper.
EAN - 9780471323631
Carton Quantity - 41

Editorial Reviews

Review

“… Of the several books about the famous hedge fund managers, this is one of the easiest reads…” (Investors Chronicle, 19 November 2004)

From the Inside Flap

"While many of Julian Hart Robertson Jr.’s contemporaries call him everything from ‘arrogant and mean’ to ‘gruff and stubborn,’ they all seem to look at his money management skills with awe and admiration. He is considered by friends and foes alike to be one of the most important money managers of all time. Robertson and his ‘Tigers’ have forever changed the way money is managed and the way hedge funds are used by investors around the world."
–From the Introduction

Take one look at Julian Robertson and you’ll quickly see that he’s a man who aims to be the best at whatever he does. Robertson’s skills at finding opportunities to exploit in the canyons of lower Manhattan and in markets around the globe are legendary. The numbers speak for themselves: Tiger Management grew from $8.8 million under his management in 1980 to more than $21 billion in 2000.

Written by hedge fund expert Daniel Strachman, Julian Robertson: A Tiger in the Land of Bulls and Bears is the first in-depth look at one of the most successful and well-known hedge fund managers of our time. Following Robertson from his days as a Salisbury, North Carolina, youth to his domination of Wall Street, this engaging book traces his inspired climb to the top, and his often controversial tenure at the helm of one of the most successful hedge fund organizations in the world.

In the pages of this book, you’ll learn about Robertson’s ability to find and execute trades in the equity, fixed-income, and commodities markets. You’ll see how he was able to stay the course in the copper market during an incredibly volatile time in the market and reap huge rewards from his trades. Robertson believes there’s no place for second best and is willing to do whatever it takes to win. At Tiger, winning wasn’t everything–it was the only thing.

Filled with candid interviews with Robertson, his colleagues, and his peers, Julian Robertson: A Tiger in the Land of Bulls and Bears uncovers both the personal world of Julian Robertson and the trading strategies and investment style that have made him a legend in his own time. You’ll be there to watch how Robertson’s determination, financial skills, and vision allowed him to get Tiger Management up, running, and into the game. But you’ll also be there as missteps and market malaise led Robertson to shut the fund complex down in 2000.

While exploring this legendary fund manager’s role in the development and popularity of hedge funds, you’ll also learn how the culture at Tiger Management bred other successful fund managers known as Cubs, who will continue to impact the way money is managed for many years to come. Today, the Tiger Cubs are believed to manage more than ten percent of all assets allocated to hedge funds around the world. There is no other manager whose tentacles reach as far and wide into the money management world.

Julian Robertson is one of the greatest traders and money managers of the century, as well as one of Wall Street’s greatest teachers and inspirers. Filled with revealing anecdotes and economic insights, Julian Robertson: A Tiger in the Land of Bulls and Bears is not only the story of Julian Robertson and Tiger Management–it’s also the story of how legends are made.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (August 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471323632
• ISBN-13: 978-0471323631
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #315,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Daniel Strachman has been working on Wall Street for more than fifteen years in various capacities, including institutional brokerage, money management, and mutual fund and hedge fund product development and marketing. He is an expert in all aspects of retail and institutional distribution for both traditional and alternative investment products and services. Daniel is also fully versed in strategic planning for both investment firms and firms that provide services to the investment community. He has provided consulting services to companies around the world to help make their organizations expand and prosper in both good and bad economic times.

Daniel is the author of six books on investment strategy, the hedge fund industry, and investment managers. His articles have appeared in The Financial Times, The Boston Globe, Interview Magazine, The New York Post and American Banker. He is often quoted and appears in the news media and is a lecturer at the New York Society of Securities Analysts and is a former adjunct professor at New York University's school of Continuing Education. Mr. Strachman graduated from Clark University with a Bachelor of Arts. Email him at [e-mail]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a book to be tossed aside lightly, February 27, 2005

By 

Druce Vertes "deadmoney" (New York, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Julian Robertson: A Tiger in the Land of Bulls and Bears (Hardcover)

Rather, it should be thrown aside with great force.

Pointless, mostly hagiographic recycling of the various articles on Julian Robertson.

Unlike, say Lowenstein on Buffett, or Manes & Andrews on Gates, you will not find a comprehensive, insightful biography, nor any thoughtful discussion of the processes of investing and building a money management business.

That book remains to be written, and deserves to be.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A bad, bad book, October 21, 2004

By 

Mike Whalen (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Julian Robertson: A Tiger in the Land of Bulls and Bears (Hardcover)

I know I am going to get flamed for this, or maybe this review will be yanked completely for offending the tender sensibilities of the author, but the truth be told--this is an awful book. That is the truth, and the truth hurts sometimes. So be it.

I have nothing against either the author or the subject of this book. In fact, don't take my word for it, just search through this book as I didn't do before buying it. Then compare it to other books about hedge funds, such as the really great biography of George Soros by Michael Kaufmann. This one is not in that league.

My problem with the book is a bit like the old joke--the food was terrible, and the portions were so small! This book is really skimpy when it comes to detail. You don't get a feel for what it was like to be Julian Robertson, head of this massive fund organization. My other problem is that what there is in the book just isn't very good. It doesn't read well, it is awkward and sloppy. But the thing that put me off the most about this book was its constant flattery of Robertson, which undermined the book's credibility. Also he relies far too much on quotations from magazines as he wraps up the end of the Robertson funds in 2000.

This book was a terrible waste of money. I came away feeling cheated. Really really bad.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed. Too neutral and safe, March 13, 2005

By 

ServantofGod - See all my reviews

This review is from: Julian Robertson: A Tiger in the Land of Bulls and Bears (Hardcover)

Despite the negative reviews here on Amazon, for somebody who really wanna know the life and style of Julian Robertson, I have no choice but picked this only book (I still cant believe it) on Amazon about Wall Street's infamous Tiger.

After reading it, I am obliged to concur with many reviewers here that this book resembled much a copy and paste of info on limited sources primarily printed material on Business Week and Robertson's private letters to his investors. You would never learn how the Tiger had thrived in the land of bulls and bears as promised on the book cover. Dont know whether the author had tried too hard to keep himself as neutral as possible or to avoid lawsuits in the magnitude of multi-millions as in Robertson vs Business Week, little personal insight was available. What's worse, little had been told on big events, say, the yen/Russian bond trade in 1998, that might be considered a turning point to the destiny of the Tiger.

In short, unless you are so desperate to read something about Julian Robertson and that this book is your only choice as far as you know, please give it a pass.