5 comments about How to Take Money from Wall Street: Learn to Profit in Bull and Bear Markets.

1. This is an amazing book - in fact it is one of the better trading books that I have ever read.

   If you're a novice trader, however, I would recommend you read one of the many introductory books and then a more advanced book on technical analysis before reading this one.

   This is a marvelous piece of work by someone that can convey the message to his readers in a very clear way. The book is an easy one to read, it's well put together in simple English. It has a lot of charts and well classified.




2. I always find it amusing when someone publishes a book detailing a specific trading strategy. Why, because although certain behaviors never change in the markets (fear and greed), the market internals are always changing and evolving. What this means is that virtually all trading strategies become useless over time. This is the most recent of Oz's three trading books, and although published in 2002, it was written mid-year 2001.

   Oz started trading during the Roaring Nineties, and in all of his books he states that his trades are always based on support and resistance levels. Support and resistance levels are self-fulfilling prophecies, in that if a critical mass of enough traders believe in such levels, they will cause these levels to materialize by entering and exiting trades at such levels. This works great in powerful markets when such a critical mass of traders are present. However, the 2000-2002 bear market effectively purged the markets of this critical mass of traders, and hence I no longer see consistently tradable support and resistance levels in the major indexes, and also in individual stocks.

   Traders are always searching for non-randomness, that is any pattern that repeats itself enough of the time that it can be profitably traded. I have reviewed Oz's system of support and resistance trading, and also his use of scans to find breakouts, reversals and gaps, and have not found them to be viable in today's market. I also note that his website does not appear to have been updated since 2002, which makes me wonder if he is still able to trade profitably using this system. I doubt it.

   This book is worthwhile as an introduction to using scans to find specific stocks to trade, if one is interested in trading stocks rather than indexes, which are inherently more risky (for example, Oz mentions that he once was long in a stock at 13 when it was halted for trading; it opened several days later at around 5). Also, his practice of seeking a minimum 3 to 1 return on every trade is important, because it allows you to be profitable even when only 50 percent of your trades are successful. I would not, however, pay the inflated price of the book.




3. This was the first book I ever read on trading stocks, and it almost turned me off of technical analysis forever. It suffers from a sort of catch-22-the book contains information that is pretty basic (support/resistance trading) and straightforward, and thus should be suitable for a beginner, and yet at the same time Oz's teaching jumps around so much and leaves such holes in the teaching of his techniques that one would almost need to already know what he's teaching before reading the book (which would, of course, defeat the purpose).
   
   This brings me to another point about the clarity of the book. Oz's writing is, well, awful. I wish there was a more delicate way to put it--there isn't. I found myself reading and rereading almost every sentence, searching for a meaning and trying to follow every non-sequitur and piece of faulty logic through to Oz's disconnected conclusions. I recognize that the man is not a professional writer and that some allowance should be made, but I think its enough to have to understand the technique being taught without trying to figure out what he means by every misused word that comes out of context. Of course this criticism is coming from someone who studied literature and history in college, so I guess my judgment can be taken for what it's worth.
   
   As a previous reviewer has pointed out, one of the problems inherent in a system like Oz's is that it depends on the participation of enough people (who also use support and resistance) to make the system viable; otherwise, it fails. I believe his system is too oversimplified for today's market, and I for one only started to make any money to speak of when I moved away from his technique and used it only as an afterthought.
   
   In all fairness to Tony Oz his section on psychology is pretty good, and his risk/reward calculator can be useful (though the formula is so simple and obvious that it could be done easily with a calculator). These points, however, would not be sufficient reason to read the book, let alone buy it at such a high price. There are much better books out there on technical analysis that are easier to get and are much more thorough and straightforward. I'd recommend looking for something more readily available (and published by a major publisher)-I really don't think you'll miss out.



4. Tony Oz was at the top of his game then. I dont know what happen? Now he is on You tube and other free sites doing all types of ads and selling dated CD seminars. He has some online school also. He needs to write a new book that address daytrading in a more recent time frame. This book does not discuss futures at all. Very few day traders trade exclusively stocks. Just take the info from the book and exchange it for futures and it is a A minus in a my book.



5. The technique is mostly about support&resistance.
   It is hard to expect such simple techniques to work
   in a complicated environment and actually make money.
   Tony might have incorporated his own experience into
   his trading, which is simply not described in the book.
   I doubt anybody could make a living through trading
   based on support&resistance. I have paper-traded
   in my account, however I was consistently losing money.
   Therefore I decided to throw this book away.

No comments about Understanding ESOPs.

5 comments about The Vital Few vs. the Trivial Many : Invest with the Insiders, Not the Masses.

1. The book's main idea: invest when insiders are buying, get rid of shares when they are selling. The source of insider transactions - Yahoo Finance. The author uses insider transactions as the sign of impending turnaround of shares that have been declining in price for a while. I guess the approach is valid, and insider transactions should be taken into consideration when buying shares.
   
   In short, this is another approach to investing/trading and could be used in combination with other methods. The book, though short, could be even shorter and should rather be a chapter in more comprehensive text. Then again, it tells you how to profit, and fifteen bucks is not much to pay for an investing idea.



2. George Soros was Muzea's client for over 10 years. Stanley Druckenmiller consults with him. If these people find his advice insightful, and if you can identify the aforesaid names, then what does it cost you not to read his book? Everybody who's serious about making money in the markets should get some insights into what the "pros" do. Especially a pro who's had some pretty superior performance.



3. FYI, the rights to publish my book in Asia has been bought by China Youth Press. It will be published in simple Chinese this summer. China Youth Press is wholly owned by the Chinese Government and is located in Beijing, China.
   
   I find it amazing how ambitious China is. I am sure they are doing the same with many other U.S. investing books and, in my opinion, it is a sign they want to continue with their global expansion and to become more sophisticated in other markets such as ours and those in Europe.
   
   PS We should have an excellent Tax Loss Buying Season this October, in my opinion. Appendix B covers this. Good luck.
   
   PPS I didn't want to rate my own book but Amazon requires one enter 1-5 stars so I had no choice. I would have prefered to use --).
   
   George Muzea,
   Author, The Vital Few vs The Trivial Many: Invest with the Insiders, Not the Masses!



4. Just want to keep my comments very simple.
   
   I enjoy reading this book from the first page till the end & very simple english easy to understand. The author teaches me alot about the market eventhough i'm currency trader not stock trader.
   
   I love to read this book again for the second time.
   
   I give 5 star.



5. This book gives a few useful insights about interpreting insider trading for making better investing decisions. Almost every thing you need to know from this book is summarized in two pages (pages 106-107). The rest of the book is a lot of repetition and many useless stories that add no value what so ever.

5 comments about Guaranteed Income for Life: How Variable Annuities can Cut Your Taxes, Pay You Every Year of Your Life, and Bring You Financial Peace of Mind.

1. An excellent primer on annuities. Any investor should read this book before considering purchasing an annuity. As a financial advisor I found his explanations simple yet definitive. Written in manner that any investor will be able to benefit from Michael's sound advice. While I believe that in general annuities are the most oversold product in financial circles (not becuse they are great product but because sellers earn huge commissions), Michael clearly demonstrates that annuities are appropriate in certain situations and tells you how to avoid the annuities that were designed to be sold not bought. He shows you what to type of product to look for when annuities are appropriate. Highly recommended.



2. I am a novice investor and had no idea what an annuity was. Lane's book gave me the basics of what stocks and bonds were all the way through how to buy and annuity and use it to create a income to last my lifetime. I highly recommend this book.



3. I've read many different points of view about the value of VAs -- this book explains them clearly. Lane's book shows how tax deferral wroks. He takes you step-by-step so you can see how all the parts relate and why. Read chapters 5 "Suitable Uses of VAs" and ch 18 "Analyzing the Payout" and you will know more than most advisors. Great book congrads.



4. Having been in this business for 5 years it's nice to find a refreshing look at the real uses of variable annuities and when they make the most sense. Michael is very enlightening in his approach to when a variable annuity makes sense and for whom. He also is very concise in his description of all the factors which contribute to determining the above. In an industry which is muddled with both the pros and cons of variable annuities this book is a straight shot to doing what is in the best interest of the client.



5. With all the controversies of variable annuities today, Michael does an excellent job of showing the appropriateness of the annuity. The book was written at the basic level for the investor, capturing an informative overview of the many different investment options such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds and how the annuity fits into the investor's overall investment strategy. I would highly recommend this book to all investors!

5 comments about The New Golden Age: The Coming Revolution against Political Corruption and Economic Chaos.

1. This book gave me a new perspective on world economic history along with insightful advice on what may be ahead.



2. The accredited economist and Professor of Economics tells the truth about concentrated world wealth and world government corruption that has manifested turmoil to today's civilization.
   
   In laymans terms, he explains economic principles and social infrastructure cycles which justify his hypotheis: "The Downfall of Capitalism and Communism: A New Study of History". The imbalance of resources and wealth has proliferated CEO greed and government corruption, slowly eliminating the middle-class. Dr. Batra outlines economic and social history in simple terms to bring a REAL and unavoid conclusion to our financial fate.
   
   His book does not provide hype nor fiction, but he attempts solidify his predictions with factual data. So far, his batting avg. is 90% on predictions. If you want a bite out of the Adam and Eve "apple", buy the book. It's an eye opener.



3. I learnt a lot about present World economics from this book. I recommend reading it for a better understanding of the situation we are in presently.



4. Read this book and tell me that the events currently unfolding all across America could not have been predicted. So we know that at least one person of intelligence saw the economic/geopolitical mess coming. A terrific book that has proven to be all too accurate.
   
   ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED READING FOR ALL!



5. We are now Sept, 29, 2008. I have just finished reading his book. Ravi Batra's expose of the current economic turmoil and its causes is absolutely superb. I don't need any economists' works to find some predictions neither do I expect their forecasts to be totally precise and accurate. None of us would have a crystal ball to predict the future. I simply believe he has a superbly logical approach to the facts he reveals. This is what I expect from a great economist.

No comments about How to Make a Fortune on the Internet: A Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Create a Massive - and Passive - Income for Life.

5 comments about How to Be Wildly Wealthy FAST: A Powerful Step-by-Step Guide to Attract Prosperity and Abundance into Your Life Today!.

1. There is nothing wrong against anyone here , but I am kinda tired of this So called 'Self Help Millionaires ' and 'Gurus' who know it all...
   
   I have read over 30+ books on the topic to make money fast and after reading sanding's book...I only said "oouch, what a way to make money Sandy "...
   
   This book is nothing new as there are bunch of authors like Sandy who are making money by selling you hopes and dreams as they know 'What Sells in market as Everybody want to see some hope and Dreams to make mega$$$$$.'
   
   I would recommend you to read books from Genuine Authors like Murphy , Catherine Ponder ...
   
   Sandy gave her first book what a Lovely and Wild Title 'How to Be Wildly Wealthy FAST'...
   
   Sandy has found out that selling you dreams and hopes does make money and she has found the weaker spot of common people as everybody is looking for some kind of hope/dreams and I think Title of this book should be 'You buy what I Sell ( Dreams and Hopes ) and I Make Millions , Fast'.
   
   I am not sure how Genuine these reviews are but Most of reviews of her book seems to come from other Self Help Gurus or People who sell/do similar things as Business and give each other 5 Star Reviews , IMHO
   
   Self Help is a big business and way it works is 'Sell your book first and then ask readers to join their Classes/personal-Trainings and ask them to Buy more Stuff and make mega $$$$$s and you will be millionare '. How sad and pathetic way to make money. Isn't it ?.
   
   Sandy Puts her story in the book but I think her story is purley an isolated case or pure coincidence and I have seen many people making money like that. Read her story and you will think , what's big deal about that ?.
   
   I believe and seen that there is a big market and lot of potential to make money in writing self-help books / selling seminars and products on how to be wealthy or succeful and Sandy knows 'How to do that' and she did it.
   
   There are very few authentic writers ( Catherine Ponder, Joseph Murphy etc ) in this area, who just sell you the book with a concept and not their costly seminars / products or trainings. After reading 30+ books , I realized that.
   
   I really feel sorry if you bought this book and helped Sandy's attempt to make money by selling you the book and DVD.
   
   I am getting emails all the time to buy more books/seminars or products to be wealthy ( who will be wealthy then !,that you can figure out ).
   
   I would recommend that you scan this book at borders and I am positive , you will never buy book of this magnitude for $20.
   
   Sandy's this attempt to be in Self help business is not worth $20 bucks. I have read and attended enough seminars to find that this is 'Self Help is Great Business to Make Money'.
   
   keep away from such books and DVD's as I know , ethically , there are more ways to be happy and still make money. ( Read Chopra/Joseph Murphy/Catherine Ponder's books instead ).
   
   Pat



2. Like just about all books out there about how to Attract Prosperity and Abundance into Your Life, these volume is missing the part about how to overcome internal resistance to success.
   
   This not surprising - we are inundated with messages that all we need to do is get our mind aligned with our intentions, say our affirmations and do the right things, involking the law of attraction. Right... and then we stop ourselves short of our goals and get stuck.
   
   Michael Norman recently was quoted: "Whenever people talk about needing more willpower, I know that what they're really saying is that they want to be able to fight harder against themselves. Willpower is only needed if you're trying to behave in a way that runs counter to the emotional state you're in."
   
   If you combine this book with one like "The Missing Link to Your Financial Success", you'll actually be able to get going again if you get stuck. Otherwise, you may be just spinning your tires and looking for another formula, when you really need a way to make that formula work for you.



3. I'm still in the process of reading the book, while following the advice given within. I feel great and every day is more exciting!



4. No two ways about it, Sandy Forster loves her subject. Unfortunately I found this was a little distracting - she underlines and bolds in almost every paragraph which feels a little like shouting to me. A little over done in my view. Also - a little too many suggrestions to go to her website and check out her other products - a little forced and contrived.
   
   The content is pretty good - very simple strategies are included her for the metaphysical and practical strategies in attracting wealth. I would have liked more details on her own wealth strategies - she only vaguely alludes to her 'direct selling personal development business' - I would have liked to have found out more about this.
   
   Overall -worth the read and some good take-away strategies.



5. Yes, I read the entire book. A much, much better book is Professional Dreamer. The Abraham-Hicks books are weird, I returned the one I ordered. This one includes every wealth trick you can think of... but also inlcludes frugality and debt chapters, turning your thinking to just that, which is counterproductive. If we are wealthy and we are as we think we are wealthy, we do not need to think like a poor man, about our debts or how many pennies we can save.

1 comments about The Pyramid Principle 3rd Edition.

1. 
   This book was first published in the US in 1987 and then in the UK in 1991. The review that follows is of an edition published in 2002. The title refers to the core concept within the framework Barbara Minto recommends in order to present material "so clearly that the ideas jump off the page and into the reader's mind." The same framework will also guide and inform preparation of presentations to groups. According to Minto, research clearly indicates that "the mind automatically sorts information into distinctive pyramidal groupings in order to comprehend it. Any grouping of ideas is easier to comprehend if it arrives presorted into its pyramid. This suggests that every written document should be deliberately structured to form a pyramid of ideas." In this volume, Minto explains how to structure the provision of material in ways and to the extent that accommodate the structure of how those who receive, absorb, and digest it.
   
   Others have expressed their reactions to this book. Here are two of mine. First, if I understand Minto's thesis (and I may not), the three aforementioned "findings about the way the mind works" seem to refer far more to the subconscious than to the conscious mind. If so, I question how Minto's highly rational approach to writing clear business documents can accommodate the need to communicate effectively in non-verbal ways (e.g. body language and tone of voice). Minto's approach requires completing a rigorous, disciplined, and focused process (a geometric progression, really) that presupposes that the recipient of the given document will absorb and digest (not merely organize) the material in a comparable manner.
   
   My second reaction is that Minto's content is generally quite solid (despite what I view as a few questionable premises) but that her writing style often lacks any "Snap! Crackle! And Pop!" The narrative comes across (at least to me) as resembling instructions in an operations manual for a writing machine. Consider this brief excerpt from Chapter 2:
   
   "...you cannot hope to just sit down and start arranging your ideas in a pyramid. You have to discover them first. But the pyramid dictates a rigid set of substructures that can serve to speed the discovery process. These are:
   
   o The vertical relationship between points and subpoints
   o The horizontal relationship within a set of subpoints
   o The narrative flow of the introduction"
   
   I do not doubt that this approach worked for Minto when she generated and then organized the material for this book about that approach. The question remains, does Minto's presentation of such material engage the reader's heart as well as mind? It seems ironic that she acknowledges the importance of using various elements of "the story" (i.e. characters, situation, plot, conflict, resolution) but only in Chapter 4 when discussing "Fine Points of Introductions." Seldom throughout this book do Minto's ideas "jump off the page and into [her] reader's mind."
   
   My guess (only a guess) is that this book will have the greatest appeal to -- and greatest value for -- those who already think as clearly and precisely as Minto obviously does. They and she would be well-advised to keep in mind, however, that most others do not, especially those who receive a document whose preparation has been guided and informed by The Pyramid Principle.

No comments about Professional Practices in Association Management: The Essential Resource for Effective Management of Nonprofit Organizations.

No comments about Risk Management for Insurers: Risk Control, Economic Capital and Solvency II.