Amazon.com
David Bach's Smart Women Finish Rich is a homage to the financial wisdom of his grandmother; it's also an excellent foundation for women who are starting to get their financial lives in order. Bach's approach to money management is rooted in years of investment seminars for women and his work as senior vice president of investments at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. During that time he recognized that "people rarely know what is truly driving them emotionally when it comes to money." In response, Bach has written a guide to money management for women based on his belief that "financial planning is as much an emotional issue as it is an intellectual one." Are you considering your values in your work and investing? What part of your daily work is driven by your goals in life? Is your latte habit preventing you from accumulating substantial wealth? Bach addresses tax strategies, wills, insurance, retirement plans, and investments in a highly accessible manner. Smart Women Finish Rich ably bridges the gap between simple saving strategies and preparing for widowhood and financial independence. --Brad Doll
Book Description
With hundreds of thousands copies in print around the world, Smart Women Finish Rich, by renowned financial advisor David Bach, has shown women of all ages and backgrounds how to take control of their financial future and finish rich. Whether you’re working with a few dollars a week or a significant inheritance, Bach’s nine-step program gives you tools for spending wisely, establishing security, and aligning money with your values. Plus, in this completely revised and updated edition, David Bach includes critical new long-term investment advice, information on teaching your kids about money, Internet resources, and new ways to attract greater wealth–personal and financial–into your life.
Download Description
Smart Women Finish Rich has shown women of all ages and backgrounds how to take control of their financial future and finish rich. Whether you're working with a few dollars a week or a significant inheritance, David Bach's nine-step program gives you tools for spending wisely, establishing security, and aligning money with your values.
Customer Reviews:
A MUST for all women!.......2007-09-26
David Bach provides helpful and realistic advice when it comes to money. He brings home the ways we all spend money on unimportant things and how if channeled in the right direction can yield a very comfy nest egg. It was GREAT to have it to listen to in the car. I've lent it out to several women so far and they are all big fans of it.
Easy read.......2007-09-18
I haven't finished the book yet but so far so good! It's an easy read and I read it when I have time. Small enough to carry in a bad and take with me everywhere. So far I've learned alot and hope to finish it soon!
Women should read this book..........2007-09-05
My dad used to tell me that all I had to do was to marry a man and he will take care of me. I never bought into that and didn't get much more financial advice outside of that from him. This book offers some good advice. It is true that switching over my savings account to a higher interest earning account has more than paid for the cost of buying this book. It is more of a motivational book but has some good tips on how to get started for personal financial planning. When I talked to a financial planner he was surprised how much I knew about finance and what I wanted to do with my money. I also like what Bach has to say about educating future generations - what we need to teach our kids.
The Book for Every Woman.......2007-09-02
I would suggest that every woman read this book and not only read it but actually putting the priniciples into practice and making a plan for their finances.
This book really helped me to see how much I was on track and also showed me some areas that needed to be tweaked.
Great Tool!.......2007-09-01
I purchased this book for my daughter who just graduated from college & began a career. It proved not only valuable to me as I plan for retirement but it's also a valuable tool for her as she sorts through managing a bugdet & planning a future. This book is written for women, in our language. I'd recommend it to other women.
Book Description
One of America's leading consumer advocates and popular talk show hosts offers his tips and tricks to successfully buying and selling real estate -- in any marketReal estate -- whether in a boom or a bust economy -- is still a good investment, but only if you make smart and patient choices. There is a lot of confusing information out there, and many people find it increasingly difficult to navigate the ever-changing world of real estate without losing their shirts, or their minds. In Clark Smart Real Estate, talk show host and bestselling author Clark Howard presents the best of his experience as a consumer advocate. In his simple and clear style, he shows readers how they can build wealth slowly over time through real estate, and how they can capitalize on -- and protect themselves from -- the real estate market's many fluctuations over the long term.Following his own "save more, spend less, and avoid ripoffs," philosophy, Howard encourages people to get "Clark Smart" and lays out practical and information-packed answers to common questions anyone interested in real estate might have about buying, selling, or financing. When should you buy your first home? Is it better to purchase a preexisting house or one newly built? What are some hidden closing costs, and how can you avoid them? Should you sell your home yourself? How does one shop for a mortgage? What are the costs of refinancing?Sound advice in a handy format -- this is what Clark Howard's readers have been waiting for, and it's just in time to help the multitudes flummoxed by today's conflicting real estate market.
Customer Reviews:
Pass On This One.......2007-07-30
After looking through this guy's book in the store, I learned that he has a series of books. This guy just feels like a Used Car Salesman. I wouldn't want to get caught reading this book. I just couldn't get over the cover and I couldn't take this guy seriously. Pass on this one, and check out Bubble Proof: Real Estate Strategies that Work in any Market or 2 Years to a Million in Real Estate.
Very helpful book.......2007-07-20
I found that this book offers clear and concise tips for many areas pertaining to real estate. We are considering selling our home and I have gained some great pointers that I would not have thought of on my own. This book has the same "Clark-smartness" that comes across on his radio show and other books. Highly recommend.
Sound, practical advice on Real Estate.......2007-04-10
I appreciated the common sense put together with extensive knowledge and experience in the field of real estate.
Book Description
A riveting inside look at the lucrative world of professional high-stakes sports betting by a journalist who lived a secret life as a key operative in the world's most successful sports gambling ring.
When journalist Michael Konik landed an interview with Rick "Big Daddy" Matthews, the largest bet he'd placed on a sporting event was $200. Konik, an expert blackjack and poker player, was no stranger to Vegas. But Matthews was in a different league: the man was rumored to be the world's smartest sports bettor, the mastermind behind "the Brain Trust," a shadowy group of gamblers known for their expertise in beating the Vegas line. Konik had heard the word on the street -- that Matthews was a snake, a conniver who would do anything to gain an edge. But he was also brilliant, cunning, and charming. And when he asked Konik if he'd like to "make a little money" during the football season, the writer found himself seduced . . .
So began Michael Konik's wild ride as an operative of the elite Brain Trust. In The Smart Money, Konik takes readers behind the veil of secrecy shrouding the most successful sports betting operation in America, bypassing the myths and the rumors, going all the way to its innermost sanctum. He reveals how they -- and he -- got rich by beating the Vegas lines and, ultimately, the multimillion-dollar offshore betting circuit. He details the excesses and the betrayals, the horse-trading and the paranoia, that are the perks and perils of a lifestyle in which staking inordinate sums of money on the outcome of a single event -- sometimes as much as $1 million on a football game -- is a normal part of doing business.
Customer Reviews:
take the points.......2007-10-04
an engaging look at life as part of a professional gambling syndicate. you don't get the really inside secrets of the "Brain Trust", only that they've got some kind of super computer that can beat the pointspread 57% of the time. what's really most interesting is to see the emotional wear and tear and erosion of personal life and feeling the full time gambler experiences.
A great inside look at sports betting.......2007-09-13
I enjoyed this book, although I found it to be far from the highest level of writing - way too much detail on individual bets and not nearly enough great scene descriptions. And, this is a little surprising because the author is a professional writer rather than a professional or wannabe gambler. But, if you like sports and you've always been curious about how sports gambling really works for the "smart money", this is the book for you.
Konik managed to get himself in the proverbial catbird seat to work with one of the top gambling operations in sports and then used that position to produce an enlightening book about how sports books and bookies run from "smart money" and jockey their lines to try to stay ahead of the game. He then branched out to work with an old school friend in their own "smart money" computer driven gambling venture with some Hollywood celebrities. Entertaining stuff and an easy read. Give it a look if you have any interest in the topic whatsoever.
A quick read...the highest compliment you can give........2007-08-25
Wow, this book makes the reader step back and go whoa!! What am I doing with my mundane life whittling away playing corporate suit when I can go to Vegas and make real money, see the surreal sights, and eat free meals? This may sound great, but after reading Konik's roller coaster ride of rising stakes, one gets the feeling that maybe this all-consuming pursuit of easy money takes its toll on the pursuer. Loss of mind (at least momentarily while watching games), and significant other is enough to make any man pause. I found that the relationship between Konik and his woman is the most interesting part of the book and I would concentrate on that if I were to adapt this book into a screenplay. Money comes and goes, all too easy, yet a loved one is a precious part of life that can be lost also. But unlike money, sometimes love can never be gained back, no matter the spread. I felt Konik's pain. I felt Konik's joy. I felt the book. What more can a reader ask of an author?
Get a piece of the action!.......2007-08-07
Fantastic!
An exciting tale of the transformation of a humble author into a major "player" in the alien world of multi-million dollar sports betting. As the author's situations became more surreal and as the money grew to eye-popping amounts, I felt my pulse quicken and palms begin to sweat. I don't know how Michael Konik did it! Just READING about the pressure, money & fear made me dizzy & nauseous (in a good way)!
I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in gambling, sports, probability or (let's face it) money! ;-)
This Book is AWESOME!!!.......2007-07-28
Great Book, I coulnd't put it down. Great job Mr. Konik...even with the knowledge you give about betting, I can't wait till football season!!!!
Amazon.com
Why do so many otherwise rational individuals make irrational decisions when it comes to money? Financial journalist Gary Belsky and Cornell University psychology professor Thomas Gilovich contend the answers can be found--and the deficiencies remedied--with help from a relatively new science called behavioral economics. Still largely unknown outside academic circles, the field can be traced to research on the impact of rewards and punishments on human judgment and decision- making that first were undertaken at Jerusalem's Hebrew University some 30 years ago. In Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes , Belsky and Gilovich update this pioneering work and show readers how to understand exactly why they invest, spend, and save as they do. More importantly, using examples that everyone can identify with and language that anyone can understand, the authors offer dozens of workable suggestions that can help readers manage their money better. "We believe that by identifying the psychological causes behind many types of financial decisions," they write, "you can effectively change your behavior in ways that will ultimately put more money in your pocket and help you keep more of what you already have." --Howard Rothman
Book Description
Why do so many otherwise smart people make foolish financial choices? Why do investors sell stocks just before they skyrocket -- and cling to others as they plummer? Why do shoppers overspend when using credit cards rather than cash? What do our habits of tipping or buying lottery tickets indicate about our relationship with money?
In this fascinating investigation of the ways we spend, invest, save, borrow, and waste money, Gary Belsky and Thomas Gilovich reveal the psychological causes -- the patterns of thinking and decision making -- of irrational behavior. Most important, they focus on the decisions we make every day and, using entertaining examples, provide invaluable tips on avoiding the financial faux pas that can cost thousands of dollars each year.
Download Description
Why do so many otherwise smart people make foolish financial choices? Why do investors sell stocks just before they sky rocket -- and cling to others as they plummet? Why do shoppers overspend when using credit cards rather than cash? What do our habits of tipping or buying lottery tickets indicate about our relationship with money? In this fascinating investigation of the ways we spend, invest, save, borrow, and waste money, Gary, Belsky and Thomas Gilovich reveal the psychological causes -- the patterns of thinking and decision-making -- that result in irrational behavior. Most importantly they focus on the decisions we make everyday and, using entertaining examples, provide invaluable tips on avoiding the financial faux pas that can cost thousands of dollars each year.
Customer Reviews:
Great Introduction to Behavioral Finance.......2007-07-21
For more than 20 years I have been fascinated why so many people make financial decisions which defy rationality. Unfortunately, I find it extremely difficult to read and comprehend most of the research papers that has been done in the field of behavioral finance. The last 5 years have seen several good books explaining the results of the emerging field of behavioral finance. This book is one of those good books.
As a fan of index funds, I enjoyed reading this book's explanation and recommendation for suggesting index funds.
This book is very readable and is an excellent primer on the major concepts which are emerging from behavioral finance research.
Socrates was right when he uttered his famous quote "Know Thy Self". One of the hardest things to do is to understand why we do what we do sometimes. This book helps explain some of this natural human behavior, and how we can manage it to make more rational financial decisions.
I would suggest companion books to supplement this book including:
Index Mutual Funds: How to Simplify Your Financial Life and Beat the Pro's
How to Use Psychology to Achieve Your Financial Goals
Are You Using the Right Rules to Plan Your Retirement?
The Richest Man in Babylon
Bogle on Mutual Funds: New Perspectives for the Intelligent Investor
The Millionaire Next Door
The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio
A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing, Ninth Edition
The Coffeehouse Investor: How to Build Wealth, Ignore Wall Street, and Get On With Your Life
The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing
Entertaining and good stuff.......2007-07-03
The book is easy to read and it also covers a lot of interesting topics. Highly recommended.
One of my favorite personal finance books.......2007-05-15
It's been years since I first read this book, but I still reference it often when talking about money decisions. It's readable, fun, and informative. I also enjoy the situational questions that begin each chapter. Even when you can see what point they're getting it, it's easy to see yourself making the same mistake in a moment of decision.
Out of the ivory tower and into your real life.......2007-01-09
this book is an easy well-written guide to understanding the academic field of behavioral economics and to bring it into the real world of our lives. The original research studies are really dry and hard to read even for a psychologist (I am one).....this is reader friendly and practical. Helped me understand some of the errors I made and still fall into....like noticing the stocks I have really done well with and forgetting about the ones that did not do so well so I think I have done really well in the market the past year..but then I look at the cold hard numbers and guess what? I did not do nearly as well I thought. Very helpful to use with patients who are having credit card woes (future dollars are so cheap). Dr. Mary Gresham Atlanta Ga
Are you mentally fit to make money decisions?.......2006-12-21
This book helps to show you some of the common pitfalls that people make when making decisions involving money. While there are topics related to investing, there are also general "money-decision" topics. There were actually some mistakes that I did not even think of but when I read them I realized that many of my friends made these mistakes. For me the biggest lesson that I learned was the part about mental accounting. This is one of those books that you think is all common sense but when you think about it, you realize that you too make these mistakes.
Book Description
Investment professional Larry E. Swedroe describes the crucial difference between "active" and "passive" mutual funds, and tells you how you can win the investment game through long-term investments in such indexes as the Samp;P 500 instead of through the active buying and selling of stocks. A revised and updated edition of an investment classic, The Only Guide to a Winning Investment Strategy You'll Ever Need remains clear, understandable, and effective. This edition contains a new chapter comparing index funds, ETFs, and passive asset class funds, an expanded section on portfolio care and maintenance, the addition of Swedroe's 15 Rules of Prudent Investing, and much more.In clear language, Swedroe shows how the newer index mutual funds out-earn, out-perform, and out-compound the older funds, and how to select a balance "passive" portfolio for the long hail that will repay you many times over. This indispensable book also provides you with valuable information about: The efficiency of markets today The five factors that determine expected returns of a balanced equity and fixed income portfolio Important facts about volatility, return, and risk Six steps to building a diversified portfolio using Modern Portfolio Theory Implementing the winning strategy and more.
Customer Reviews:
The best financial advice you will ever receive.......2007-08-23
I read this book 8 months ago. It was such an eye-opener that I went on to read ten other investment books over the ensuing 6 months. Although several other books cover much of the same material, Swedroe's book is the one that I have read and re-read several times. It really can stand alone as your "only guide to investing". Two of my relatives have read it now, as well. I now manage all of my investments myself, with confidence. Short term market drops don't worry me at all. I truly believe that anyone who reads this book and later reads Swedroe's bond book(by about the same title) will be well-armed to manage their investments without the expense of a broker or advisor.
Great Investment Book!.......2007-05-22
I've just finished reading your book and wanted to thank you so much for sharing this straight forward method of investing with all of us!! I've been investing for many years. I've tried timing the market, newsletter services, timing services; just about ever known method to not make money. After reading your book, it really seemed to 'click' for me.
I've been suggesting this book to many of my friends. They seem to want exactly what your strategy provides, reasonable returns with reduced risk. I wish I had found this book many years ago.
A tool box that does the job..............2007-05-09
This was an excellent book that covered all the necessary fundamentals without going into the excessive esoterica of the field that I, as a simple investor, did not need.
It also provided useful formulas and guidance for fixed security investments based on the different scenarios that different investors might have.
The book has definite views on total bond market funds as well as mortgage backed securities that you are not likely to find elsewhere and that every investor must necessarily know before investing.
The title really says it all.
Excellent book.......2007-05-09
One of 4 o5 of the best investment books I've read. Every investor should read this book.
Winning strategy? Yes!.......2007-05-08
Late summer of 2005 I decided to turn our investments over to a financial advisor. My wife questioned whether it made sense to give such a huge cut (2% of market value each year) to a brokerage firm. That weekend we went to Barnes and Noble and I bought this book. The rest is history. I am in index funds and short term bonds. I am 60/40 domestic/foreign. My return has been great but the most important thing is that I sleep well at night. I rebalance when the numbers get out of whack not because of some hunch or fear. I sold everything that I owned to get into this strategy and paid a large amount of tax but it has all been worthwhile. This strategy forces you to take profits when stocks rise and buy stocks when prices go down. It makes sense and it works.
Book Description
This addition to the popular Smart Girl's Guide series helps girls gain money smarts. Quizzes, tips, and quotes from girls make learning about money management fun. The book includes a special section with 101 moneymaking ideas. A link at americangirl.com offers girls the opportunity to print business cards, flyers, and other materials to get their moneymaking ideas up and running with style.
Customer Reviews:
My review.......2007-10-21
This book isn't as good as the other ones. I mean,it was a good book,but I think the other ones were better. But it does help you about spending money and stuff. But it also was a little boring at parts.
Smart Girl's Guide Review.......2007-05-14
My daughter's love this book. Although it doesn't give a "how to" on budgeting, it does give a solid understanding of how to make and save money by being careful on what to spend their money on.
Another great American Girl book!.......2007-05-09
The quality of the A.G. books are always great! Age appropriate and full of different information to help the child learn about that subject- hoping for a daughter that loves to save money after reading this book....wish me luck!
Every girl should have this book!.......2006-10-02
This book was awesome! It talked about saving, spending wisely, credit cards, starting a business and much more! I got this book and it helped me so much! I also use it as a reference book. I think every girl should have it. Go American Girl!
Extremely educational, extremely fun!.......2006-08-07
"A Smart Girl's Guide To Money" is an inspiring book and really teaches girls- or any person- to save money. It also explains about bank accounts, interest, and other important things needed for life. Everyone should read this educational, wise, and fascinating guide.
It also introduces girls to having a job, keeping track of money, and just plain being responsible. That, I think, is a wonderful thing to promote. I loved "A Smart Girl's Guide To Money" the first time I looked into it. Every girl should read it; it's really a remarkable book!
Customer Reviews:
Allowances, Jobs, and Other Money Issues Parents Need to Address.......2006-06-05
Too many children think their parents have an endless supply of money for them to tap into. When denied a purchase, they think the parent is being mean. Setting up a structure and helping your child understand and respect money is a chore, but it will pay off in the long run.
I like that the author advises against credit cards for teens and that she gives advice for dealing with adult children returning home.
Here's what is covered in the book:
Quiz: Test Your Money Smarts
Chapter 1: The Perils of Being an Expert [or The Perils of Giving Advice, or something else]
Chapter 2: A Kid's-Eye View of Money
Chapter 3: The Adman Cometh
Chapter 4: The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree
Chapter 5: Small Change: The Preschool Years
Chapter 6: Surviving with 'Tweens
Chapter 7: Why Is Money Green?
Chapter 8: Allowances: A Hands-On Experience
Chapter 9: Penny Wise: Kids & Saving
Chapter 10: Your Kid, the Investment Guru
Chapter 11: Of Lawnmowing & Milkshake Stands
Chapter 12: Teens: The Early Years
Chapter 13: To Work or Not to Work?
Chapter 14: Off to College & On Their Own (Sort of)
Chapter 15: Giving & Getting with Grace & Gratitude
Chapter 16: Lost Wallets & Other Sticky Situations
Chapter 17: Money-Smart Grandparents
Chapter 18: Mission Nearly Accomplished
Chpater 19: They're Back. Now What?
What a parent needs to know to help their kids understand money.......2005-09-17
With each generation the children seem to have more money available to them than their parents. With this should come responsibility and learning how to spend or save wisely. The problem is that most just learn to spend as soon as they get it, get it by begging parents or an allowance with no responsibilities involved or similar. Enter Janet Bodnar, deputy-editor of Kiplinger's Personal Finance, mother of three, and writer of the Money Smart Kids column in Kiplinger Magazine. This is not a collection of hard and fast rules to force good finance habits onto kids but a framework within which parents can use good common sense to handle any situation. The book starts with a quiz to test your money smarts. This quiz is excellent and presents most of the potential situations you are likely to encounter with children and money. The author even includes examples of questions kids ask and how to answer them. One of the insightful sections is one on how kids think about money and how to deal with these concepts from preschool to teenager. Ms. Bodnar even includes a fascinating chapter on questions and answers about money's history, composition, and dozens of other miscellaneous facts. Prepare your children to know how to deal with money when they are grown. Raising Money Smart Kids is highly recommended.
Book Description
When the Boston Red Sox won the World Series on October 27, 2004, they made history. Their stunning comeback against the New York Yankees and their four-game annihilation of the St. Louis Cardinals capped one of the most thrilling postseason runs ever. The World Series victory-Boston's first in 86 years-came less than three years after John Henry and Tom Werner bought the team from the Yawkey Trust and forever changed the way the Red Sox operated on and off the field.
Seth Mnookin was given access never before granted to a reporter in the history of organized sports. He had a key to Fenway Park and a desk in the team's front office. He spent weekends talking business with John Henry and afternoons in the clubhouse with Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz. He learned never-before-told details of the team's Thanksgiving Day wooing of Curt Schilling, the jealousy Nomar Garciaparra felt toward better-paid teammates, and the anxiety that impelled Pedro Martinez to insist that the Red Sox guarantee his future. He was there when general manager Theo Epstein's frustration over the organization's ceaseless drive for more media coverage and new revenue streams collided with his fracturing relationship with CEO Larry Lucchino. The resulting narrative -- juicy, gripping, and overflowing with thrilling detail -- reveals how a savvy sports organization tries to stay on top while under the relentless scrutiny of the country's most voracious sportswriters and baseball's most demanding fans.
Drawn from hundreds of hours of exclusive interviews and a year with the team, Feeding the Monster shows as no book ever has before what it means to buy, sell, run, and be part of a major league sports team in America.
Customer Reviews:
Whatever happened to the Idiots?.......2007-10-01
Ever wonder what happened to that self-proclaimed gang of "idiots" that aimed to do what we all knew could not be done, but we believed in them anyway? Who were those guys? What happened to them? Why did they leave? What brought Johnny Damon to the Yankees? Why did Pedro sign with the Mets? What ever happened to Kevin "Cowboy up" Millar? And who was that bulbous little man with the huge head and huge smile seen on virtually every post-2004 Red Sox publicity stunt?
These are the questions you have been asking yourself. This is the stuff of myth and religion, the stuff of Red Sox belief. And now, in Feeding the Monster, these questions and more are finally answered.
What Mnookin reveals behind the Ruby Red curtain is an ownership-managemant-promotional gang that make decisions on the basis of science, not sentiment. The Idiots, we learn, were growing old, bitter, and complacent. They may have had great chemistry, and fans may have loved them, but in 2004 they were an anomoly--a statistical outlier. According to Mnookin, the Brain Trust knew that the value of the Red Sox could not be compromised by player popularity: Franchise decisions had to be made on the basis of intelligence, "good intelligence." The bottom line was that historical patterns demonstrate that winning teams are young teams, with strong arms, and a high on-base percentage. By the end of 2004, Keith Foulke's knees were shot, Pedro's arm was ready to fall off, Damon was old, Trot Nixon was ancient, and Kevin Millar was no longer funny: He was annoying. If history was right, then the idiots had to go.
Feeding the Monster provides an absoutely mesmerizing, insider chronicle of franchise operations and player shenanigans leading up to and after the 2004 season (the reprint edition extends the account through to spring 2007). The book is rich in detail. All I can add is that when read against the backdrop of any given regular season, Feeding the Monster will provide a deeply satisfying, entertaining narrative that helps to explain the logic underpinning the crazy, soap opera of the Boston Red Sox.
Hear From the Red Sox Managers.......2007-04-12
Dispel some of the rumors surrounding the Boston Red Sox with this behind-the-scenes look at the team's management.
These Aren't Your Grandfather's Sox.......2007-02-03
Taking the long view, as Seth Mnookin does at the beginning of this piece of reportage, the Boston Red Sox are a failed franchise, a broken watch.
Much like the famous New Yorker cover that maps Manhattan at the center of the universe with other, lesser places marked as specks on the horizon, Mnookin's story centers on the team that John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino assembled to change that legacy. Off in the irrelevant distance are a dueling Babe Ruth and Harry Frazee, an oafish Joe Cronin, a drunken Tom Yawkey, an overrated and ultimately inconsequential Ted Williams, and some guys called Yaz and Pudge and Pesky. From the get-go, this is not a work of Sawks idolatry.
In telling a front-office story, Mnookin sets himself a difficult task. The rise and fall of management teams makes interesting if somewhat limited reading for the type of reader who subscribes to the Wall Street Journal, but it is no simple oversight that publication lacks a sports page to cover the teams that perform on the field. For those who follow the daily exploits of their hometown favorites, owners and managers generally are figures to be reviled. It is necessary, then, for Mnookin as the teller of what is, after all, a heroic sports tale to jump back and forth between the people to whom he has access -- the suits -- and those to whom he clearly does not -- the players. As a result, we get only caricatures of those who are in fact the face of the franchise: a brooding, Hamlet-like Garciaparra; a blowhard Schilling; a proud and fragile-egoed Martinez; a whacked-out Ramirez; a universally beloved Pappi. Is there any magic here? Sadly, no. Like other sports franchises in modern times, baseball teams -- Red Sox included -- mix and match from year to year with few loyalties and scant long term vision. To hear Mnookin tell it, the club brass might just as well have been trading soybean futures.
Interesting, yes. Compelling, no.
The book is written well and carefully, with some exceptions: were he still alive, no doubt Bobby Bonds would be surprised to learn that Willie Mays is Barry's grandfather. Its background and context give it far greater depth than a compendium of clips from sports pages covering the same subject matter. As a journalist, one suspects that Mnookin disdains his peers on the Red Sox beat. Peter Gammons is the only writer who gets favorable mention, and one interesting but underdeveloped motif of the book is the love-hate relationship -- mostly hate, it seems -- between the team and the writers who cover it.
As hot stove reading, this book is good. But it likely will be forgotten as soon as pitchers and catchers report.
Experts Are Wrong.......2006-12-28
Mnookin nicely reminds us that the experts - both on the inside and outside - often don't know what they are talking about. A great book.
Essential Reading for Those Who Want Another World Championship.......2006-11-22
Although both major Boston papers are filled with Red Sox stories, much of what is written is wrong, biased, or irrelevant. Because so much ink is slung so indiscriminately, many involved with the Red Sox don't really want to open up to the press. In a remarkable departure from the policy of not providing any information, the team's new ownership decided to let the public in to know more about the team. One aspect of that new philosophy was to allow author, Seth Mnookin, unparalleled access to the team's management.
Now, that may not seem like a juicy subject, but it is if you are interested in how the Red Sox can hope to field teams that can compete with the New York Yankees and the unlimited budget for personnel in the Bronx. In Feeding the Monster, you get a realistic sense that the Red Sox are going to have bad years . . . in order to have good years. Now, that's quite a contradiction to the constantly upbeat publicity that the club has put out since the new owners took over. That "promise them anything" philosophy in fact becomes a major bone of contention that almost drives Theo Epstein away.
There are places where the book seems to falter. Some players are dismissed as being a problem for the club based on a few incidents or characteristics. Most of us have our drawbacks. While we're performing, no one cares. When we don't perform, those drawbacks are often cited when we lose a job. The same happens to baseball players.
But the behind-the-scenes look at management is unprecedented . . . and dispels a lot of myths happily carried forward by the local media. I was glad to see the record set straight about how the club came into its current ownership hands, for example.
It was interesting that this book came out describing the 2006 season as a problem year just as the Red Sox collapsed in the five-game series in Fenway . . . and the Yankees went nowhere. In the excitement of the great wins early in the season, it was easy to overlook that the club didn't have the pitching to make it very far. It was all the more remarkable that the early season went so well. Congratulations to the Red Sox for accomplishing as much as they did in 2006.
Wait until next year!
Book Description
Clark Howard answers all these questions and many more in Get Clark Smart. With practical tips and on-line resources, Howard helps readers to get rich by saving money in unexpected places and investing those savings creatively. Howard has a passion for saving money and a zealots enthusiasm for sharing everything hes learned. His strategies for getting rich by saving wisely will turn readers into financial wizards.
Download Description
What are the 3 secrets to building long-term wealth? Whatare the 5 things that no one thinks of before buying a home? ow can you save up to 40% on the car of your dreams?How can you get long distance telephone service for almost nothing? lark Howard answers all these questions and many more in Get Clark Smart. With practical tips and on-line resources, Howard helps readers to get rich by saving money in unexpected places and investing those savings creatively. Howard has a passion for saving money and a zealot's enthusiasm for sharing everything he's learned. His strategies for getting rich by saving wisely will turn readers into financial wizards.
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful book for those new to personal finance.......2007-02-16
This is a wonderful book for those new to personal finance and investing, or just looking to get a handle on their own financial situation. The author encourages frugality, but there is much more to his philosophy. My only ding is that this book is desperately in need of an updated edition. A lot has happened in terms of online technology and finance in the 5 or so years since this book was published (hence my 4 star rating). In the meantime, the author has a wonderful web site with helpful advice.
Very informative book.......2007-01-04
This is the first book that I have read by the intelligently frugal guru, so I can make no comparisons. For a novice like me, I found the book easy to read and understand. I recommend his practices for people who do and do not understand how to get the most value for their money.
Does he ever sleep? .......2006-10-05
Okay, the guy is smart when it comes to getting a discount and making intelligent purchases. He even saved me from making a costly mistake, making this book totally worth buying (rent a car BEFORE you commit to buying it!). But this guy is not the Mr. Joe Average Consumer he tries to portray himself as. He gives readers a whole lot of personal examples of how he saved money and if you add those stories up this guy must never sleep. He probably does more smart spending in one week that the rest of can do in an entire year. I couldn't help but feel bad for his family who he drags along on some of his economic adventures (dialogue I imagine coming from the backseat of the family car: "Daddy, can we PLEASE stop buying stuff and GO HOME." ~ "No honey, Daddy has another financial advice book to write.") Anyway, Clark is full of clever cash-saving ideas. As another reviewer put it, this is not a how to get rich book. It's about cutting costs -- and spending money is not the same as saving money.
Not for the truly broke.......2006-06-26
Yes, if I bought a $3 latte every day, and I cut that out, I could save more than $900 a year.
Guess what? I can't afford a $3 latte every day and the best way I have found that Clark could help me save money was if we had never bought his book.
Excellent retailer.......2005-07-02
The book arrived as describe and on time. I could ask for nothing more.
Book Description
Aimed at single contractors and small businesses, Smart Business for Contractors gives readers reliable information on bidding and pricing and offers field-tested ways to handle legal matters that arise during this process. It includes chapters on incorporation, taxes, insurance, disability, and retirement.
Customer Reviews:
Written Specifically for Self-Employed Contractors.......2007-09-21
This book covers everything you need to know as a self-employed contractor through hiring your first employee.
The straightforward language of this book explains the business side of being a professional tradesperson, and shows the benefits of doing things properly. It is backed by many examples of what has worked and not worked for others.
The book also shows how to plan for your retirement and balance your business and personal life.
Whether you are just thinking about going out on your own, or you've been running things by the seat of your pants, this book will help.
Contractor .......2007-02-04
For beginners only. Written as if you don't know anything about the business, so if you don't then buy it. It will not open your eyes to anything new if you're in the business.
Smart Business for Contractors.......2007-01-16
Good solid information on the accounting, legal and business details of a construction company.
Great Contractor Trade Book.......2006-11-15
I am starting an electrical contracting business and needed help with the office/legal side of the business. I read 4 books on starting a business. This book was the most practical and relavent for me as it was written specifically for the contractor trades. This book provides a good overview of the business details that are required for a business to operate and succeed. It contains very practical examples of what to do to before you start your company and as you run your company. Buy this book first and you may not want any others. Good job with this book Jim.
very helpful.......2006-11-05
i am starting a contracting business in the near future and i found this book to be very readable and full of good info.i would highly recomend it!!!
Books:
- Smart Women Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Achieving Financial Security and Funding Your Dreams (Revised Edition)
- Smart Women Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Achieving Financial Security and Funding Your Dreams (Revised Edition)
- Standard & Poor's Fundamentals of Corporate Credit Analysis
- State of Working America 2006/07 (State of Working America)
- Stop Sitting on Your Assets: How to Safely Leverage the Equity Trapped in Your Home and Transform It Into a Constant Flow of Wealth and Security
- Stop Sitting on Your Assets: How to Safely Leverage the Equity Trapped in Your Home and Transform It Into a Constant Flow of Wealth and Security
- Strategy Pure & Simple II: How Winning Companies Dominate Their Competitors
- The Adventures of Tintin: Tintin in America / Cigars of the Pharaoh / The Blue Lotus (3 Complete Adventures in One Volume, Vol. 1)
- The Automatic Millionaire: A Powerful One-Step Plan to Live and Finish Rich
- The Brand Gap: Expanded Edition
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
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- The Federalist Papers
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- Listening
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Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
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| Authors, A-Z
| Books & Reading
| British
| Classics
| Drama
| Erotica
| Essays
| Foreign Language Fiction
| General
| Genre Fiction
| History & Criticism
| Large Print
| Letters & Correspondence
| Poetry
| Short Stories
| United States
| Women's Fiction
| World Literature
Start Late, Finish Rich: A No-Fail Plan for Achieving Financial Freedom at Any Age (Finish Rich Book Series)
Smart Couples Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Creating a Rich Future for You and Your Partner
The Automatic Millionaire : A Powerful One-Step Plan to Live and Finish Rich
The Finish Rich Workbook: Creating a Personalized Plan for a Richer Future (Get out of debt, Put your dreams in action and achieve Financial Freedom
The Automatic Millionaire Homeowner: A Powerful Plan to Finish Rich in Real Estate
