Customer Reviews

The Unofficial Guide to Investing

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Over the years, I've concluded that most financial books are unrealistic in the marching orders they give us, their poor readers. I'm a long-term investor (not a day trader!), so I don't appreciate a lot of fancy financial formulas that require a great deal of thought or time. Thank goodness the author of The Unofficial Guide to Investing understands that. She provides solid advice that makes an awful lot of sense to me. I also appreciate all the tips she sprinkles into the book's margins. For instance, I discovered how I could very easily determine how much my savings bonds are worth. I also learned the phone number to call to find out how much my Social Security benefits will be worth someday.

This book is engagingly written with wit & humor as well as lots of factual material and sound advice that you can actually use. Clear and straightforward for the novice, there is also lots of information and advice on on-line investing information and tools for the web-accessing sophisticated and savvy investor. Whether you are a novice or an experienced investor, Ms. O'Shaughnessy serves you up lots of good advice and information with respect and gentle humor. A good read, and a keeper for later reference with wonderful resource and reference material as a supplement at the back. - A San Diego cardiologist

This book was written for me! I'm sometimes intimidated and mystified by the arcane language and imperious attitude of brokers and other people I've turned to for help with my investment decisions. And most of the books out there seem to be written for graduate students at the Wharton School of Business. But this is a book I can relate to. At times, I even catch myself laughing out loud. In Chapter 6, for example, O'Shaughnessy describes her first visit to the hallowed inner sanctum of a mutual fund. (Aren't we all a little curious about what that's like?) She asks herself: "Would I meet men and women with such advanced analytical and mathematical capabilities that scientists someday would want to preserve their brains in formaldehyde?" NOT! O'Shaughnessy has an innate ability to explain investment principles in ways that are easy to understand. She's got me believing that I don't have to be a financial wiz to make sound investment decisions.

In writing "The Unofficial Guide to Investing", Ms. O'Shaughnessy achieves success where most other authors of financial advisory guides underachieve. I was immediately greeted by her approachable writing style, as though sitting across the table talking investments with a familiar friend over coffee. She consistently treats the reader as an equal, stating at the outset that she, too, was once an overwhelmed novice investor. I quickly gained confidence learning that an advanced degree from some hallowed institution or years toiling behind a Wall Street trading desk wasn't a prerequisite to become a knowledgeable and competent investor.

The book seemly covers the full scope of investment topics, and then some. (A chapter on insurance is thrown in for good measure.) Though packed with lots of information, the book is a smooth read. Ms. O'Shaughnessy cuts through the bull, presenting the fundamentals of mutual funds, bonds, internet investing, et.al., in a straight forward and logical fashion -- good for new investors. Seasoned investors will delight in her vast collection of highly practical ideas and tips, useful references of all sorts, and closely-held industry secrets which they'll find throughout the book. I especially loved the section on "investing on the net" with its abundance of web site information.

The Unofficial Guide is truly the best book about investments I have ever read. Already I have recommended it to my family and friends who have an interest in investing. Selfishly, I'm glad Ms. O'Shaughnessy didn't follow her second grade career choice and enter the convent (a fact revealed in the acknowledgments section). I'm sure the Lord understands -- for Lynn's work will undoubtably bear much fruit for the many of us.

Wow. I didn't know anybody could make bonds sound interesting, but the author of The Unofficial Guide to Investing managed to do just that. While I've read many articles about stock investing, I've seen very few really good, readable primers on the bond basics. From this book, I learned why I should keep corporate bonds in my retirement account, while the muni bonds should stay in my taxable account. I also appreciated the book's strategy on building a portfolio of U.S. Treasuries. And I found it helpful when the author outlined the pros and cons of buying individual bonds versus bond mutual funds. That really helped me out. -- A soon-to-be-richer reader in Plano, Texas

This is the only investing book that I have read that didn't treat me like a fool. So many books out there make people feel like they've been stupid about not investing enough, or soon enough, or wisely enough. This book treated me like an intelligent person, who wants to be smart about investing. No judgements, and that was what I really liked. Also, the book was full of great resources and tons of time-saving tips. An enjoyable read, as well as a helpful guide, I would recommend this book to both novice and long standing investors.

The Unofficial Guide to Investing is wonderful. If it wasn't, I wouldn't be dragging this fat book around in my brief case as I travel around the world on business. I'm too busy to spend a lot of time reading or even thinking about my own finances, which is why I especially like this book. It covers all the bases and the author writes in a style that is fun to read.

I've read books on investing before, but none have been as informative, yet easy to follow, as this one. I didn't want a beginner book (even though I'm a novice) because those books are so condescending. Ms. O'Shaughnessy writes with authority while still speaking my language. I trust her. I particularly enjoyed her chapter on investment clubs--in fact, I'm starting my own club for the new year! And online investing seems more tangible and less intimidating to me now that I know what websites to browse, where to e-mail, and what toll-free numbers to call if I have more questions. The Unofficial Guide to Investing is the most sound investment I could've made in 1998, and I'm confident that it will lead me to many more lucrative investments in 1999! I highly recommend this book.

In the past, I've approached all investment primers with the same enthusiasm I reserve for visits to the dentist. But after my first half-hour with this one, I was happily hooked! Not only is the investment advice top-notch, but the method of delivery outstanding. O'Shaughnessy exhibits an amazing ability to make sophisticated concepts digestible. Her breezy writing style makes the advice seem like it's coming from a trusted friend, and her sense of humor keeps you smiling while you learn how to make that first -- or second -- million.

I was surprised at how much I learned by reading The Unofficial Guide to Investing. After finishing the mutual fund chapter, I decided that I needed to be much more disciplined before I choose funds or for that matter dump them. The troubleshooting section, which provides specific advice to anybody who has been ripped off by a broker, was also an eye-opener. I'm passing the book on to my dad, who lost a great deal of money last year thanks to an unscrupulous broker. My dad thought the only thing he could do was complain to the branch manager, but now I know he has more options.