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The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio (Hardcover)
by William J. Bernstein
Category:
Stock investing, Investment guide, Introduction to investing |
Market price: ¥ 318.00
MSL price:
¥ 288.00
[ Shop incentives ]
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Stock:
Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
MSL rating:
Good for Gifts
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MSL Pointer Review:
Among a host of investment guides, this book stands out as an excellent overview of investing principles and applications. |
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Author: William J. Bernstein
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
Pub. in: April, 2007
ISBN: 0071385290
Pages: 240
Measurements: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BA01024
Other information: ISBN-13: 978-0071385299
Language: American English
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Rate this product:
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- Awards & Credential -
We highly recommend this fabulous overview of investing fundamentals. |
- MSL Picks -
This book is not very easy to read. Bernstein can occasionally be very detailed, and occasionally ventures into serious mathematical discussions on personal finance. However, it is worth persevering, for Bernstein's book is a very sound defense of index-based personal finance, with extremely persuasive arguments and thorough supporting data.
Bernstein tends to overstate efficient market theory. In parts, it seems that he argues that the market is efficient even in the short term, which is definitely not true. A better position, expressed best by Burton Malkiel, is that the market is not efficient in the short term, but that transaction costs prohibit individual investors from profiting from these inefficiencies. Both agree, however, that the market is efficient in the long term and that hence the best strategy for individuals is a passive index that matches personal risk tolerance.
Bernstein's aggressive recommendation of Vanguard also makes him come off as a bit of a shill. However, his intentions seem well-placed. After all, very few companies come close to matching Vanguard's index funds.
Overall, this book is worth the time it takes to read, and is a worthy addition to the existing collection of pro-indexing personal finance books.
(From quoting an American reader)
Target readers:
All types of investors.
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William Bernstein, Ph.D., M.D., has become a grassroots hero to independent investors everywhere. He has made a name for himself by questioning the value of Wall Street wisdom, skewering the recommendations of self-serving stockbrokers, and showing legions of investors how to successfully manage their own investments with intelligence and long-term vision. Bernstein is the author of The Intelligent Asset Allocator, editor of the quarterly asset allocation journal Efficient Frontier, founder of the popular website EfficientFrontier.com, and a principal in Efficient Frontier Advisors. He is often quoted in national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, Money, and Forbes.
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From Publisher
"A TRIUMPH! Bill Bernstein's new book offers sound principles, unvarnished history, and unmatched understanding of the process of successful investing. It is my candidate for the best investment book of 2002."
- John C. Bogle, Founder and Former Chairman, The Vanguard Group, Author, John Bogle on Investing
William Bernstein has carved out a reputation as one of the most brutally honest, yet consistently accurate, voices in today's financial wilderness. In The Four Pillars of Investing, Dr. Bernstein explains how any independent investor can construct a superior investment portfolio by learning these four essentials:
The Theory of Investing"Do not expect high returns without risks." The History of Investing"About once every generation, the markets go barking mad. If you are unprepared, you are sure to fail." The Psychology of Investing"Identify the era's conventional wisdom and assume that it is wrong. More often than not, it is."
The Business of Investing"The stockbroker services his clients in the same way that Bonnie and Clyde serviced banks." From the essential soundness of classic portfolio theory through the inherent wisdom of investing in multiple asset classes, The Four Pillars of Investing focuses on the four fundamental topics that every investor must understand - and presents an easy-to-follow, step-by-step program for achieving long-term investing success.
William Bernstein's first book - The Intelligent Asset Allocator - remains one of the most honored investment books of recent times. Hailed by national publications, including BusinessWeek, and by independent investment icons, including Vanguard founder John Bogle, it has become an instant classic for its well-researched analyses and rules for successful investing.
Now, in the commonsense investor's guide The Four Pillars of Investing, Bernstein returns with the knowledge and tools investors need to assemble low-risk, winning portfolios without professional advice. This down-to-earth book lays out in easy-to-understand prose the four essential topics that every investor must master - the relationship of risk and reward, the history of the market, the psychology of the investor and the market, and the folly of taking financial advice from investment salespeople. It pulls back the curtain to reveal what really goes on in today's financial industry as it outlines a simple program for building wealth while controlling risk.
Straightforward in its presentation and generous in its real-life examples, The Four Pillars of Investing presents a no-nonsense discussion of:
- The art and science of mixing different asset classes into an effective blend - The dangers of actively picking stocks, as opposed to investing in the whole market - Behavioral finance and how state of mind can adversely affect decision making - Why the mutual fund and brokerage industries, instead of your partners, are often your most direct competitors - Strategies for managing all of your assets - savings, 401(k)s, home equity - as one portfolio
Investing is not a destination. It is a journey, lined with stockbrokers, journalists, and mutual fund companies whose interests are diametrically opposed to yours. The Four Pillars of Investing shows you how, with relatively little effort, you can determine your own financial direction and assemble an investment program with the sole goal of building long-term wealth for yourself and your family.
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View all 9 comments |
Robert Barker, Columnist, BusinessWeek (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-22 00:00>
Bernstein is little known. But that's changing, and the sooner you get to know him, the better off your retirement portfolio is likely to be. |
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-22 00:00>
If you are even slightly considering purchasing this book, get it NOW. It was a very fast read (I finished it in 3 days) due to the writer's natural style, and it will open your eyes to things like actively managed funds vs. index funds, fees associated with mutual funds, and the importance of asset allocation and diversification. I completely changed my long-term investment strategy after reading this book and I already feel like I am doing better than I had been for the past few years as far as increasing my portfolio's return while lowering its risk. Like I said, get this book now. I am getting a few copies for friends that deserve to make more money over the long term and I don't want to see make the same mistakes I did like paying for actively managed mutual funds with high fees that don't even perform well as the market! |
D. Richman (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-22 00:00>
I read Bernstein's previoius book and liked it. I like Four Pillars even more. It is well written, references substantial studies to support it's points, is easy to read and is often entertaining as well. Bernstein provides an important inside look into the deceptive world of finance, giving historical background and explaining how some heavily promoted ideas are not substantiated by objective studies. I have used Bernstein's ideas for my personal investments and have seen good results: nice returns without the usual rollercoaster ride. The best part is that, not only does his system work, it is so simple to use and requires very little time and effort. Thank you, Dr. Bernstein. |
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-22 00:00>
This is one of the best books on how to get a good performing portfolio, from P/E ratios to SEC filings - let this be your guide to due diligence. The book also suggests to diverisfy your portfolio. And one of the best alternatives to the stock market is real estate of course. Here's a worthwile suggestion for other investors wanting to diversify from Wall Street to real estate: Investing Without Losing (ISBN: 0978834607 NOT on amazn, on other stores) |
View all 9 comments |
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