5 comments about America's Financial Apocalypse: How to Profit from the Next Great Depression.

1. This book is a remarkable presentation of material that could easily consume several books. The best part is that he gets EVERYTHING right. The author presents a fairly objective view of US economic policy and the financial markets. He realizes that the nation's free markets have become highly corrupt and are need of major repair. And the #1 problem is lack of universal health care.
   
   Unlike any other book related to this topic, this one not only discusses the current problems and have predicted them with astonding accuracy, but it also makes predictions for several years thereafter. He concludes that the US stock market has been in a bear correction mode since 2001 and will remain there until around 2012, registering average annual returns of around 2-3%. So far he has been absolutely correct. He also discusses what will happen after that period -- a depression.
   
   This book goes over so many topics and supports everything with a hue reference list at the back that I found it more helpful for understanding how the economy and stock market work than any book I have ever read. The author's analysis is unparalleled. I strongly recommend this book.



2. The author shows how America has changed economically. It also discusses critical changes to the nation's social and educational fabric. Although first written in 2006, it predicted both the extent and severity of the real estate shakeout including devastation to the banks.
   
   But as the author points out, this is only the beginning. As the baby boomers retire and peak oil is reached, many other problems will surface. Specifically, Medicare and Medicaid threaten to bankrupt the nation. While Social Security can be fix with little pain if the apprpriate changes are made now, the real problem is not so much with solvency as it is with diminished buying power and the reliance on this program as the primary income during retirement.
   
   The author emphasizes the top 2 problems with America - health care and free trade. He discusses why America continues to mortgage off its most critical assets to foreign interests in exchange for non-essential imports. The results of these trends have already registered, with most foreign currencies posting huge gains compared to the dollar. And without a uniform playing field, America can not expect to compete in a global free market system since all other developed nations provide health care and pensions by the government. As a result, jobs have been sent overseas. While some companies have shutdown permanantly, most have benefited from corporate migration to Asia. As a result, corporate profits reached a 60-year high over the past 4 years, accounting for the surge in the stock market in 2007. But as the author points out, the stock market has been in a bearish correction mode since 2001. He predicts that during this 2001-2012 time frame, the market will yield average annual returns of around 3%. Thereafter, things will get worse, as the effects of the baby boomers and peak oil will cause a global slowdown in the economy.
   
   Soaring inflation and interest rates are expected, as well as soaring gold and oil prices. The analysis and predictions contained within this book are supported by an enormous volume of data, unlike anything I have ever seen. This is a very unique book and was well-thought out, unlike most out there. For readers who want to get through the material in a couple of days, I recommend the Condensed Edition, released in early 2007 and updated in certain spots. It is also considerably less expensive I highly recommend either editions. I own both editions, and I expect to refer to them for years to come.



3. SYNOPSIS: The illusion of over two decades of economic greatness in America was created in large part by Greenspan's bubble economy. But the author paints a different picture of America and makes chilling predictions for its future. Only those who can see through the smoke signals created by Washington will be able to avert and/or profit from America's next depression. And this book definitely allows one to see through the smoke screen.
   
   CONTENTS
   The author begins by briefly summarizing America's history, noting key events. Only later are some of these events revisited (monetary policy, wealth disparity, oil, pre-depression conditions) when appropriate to emphasize their significance within modern day America. Next, he discusses the economic effects of free trade. Finally, he reviews America's declining edge in education and innovation, ending Part 1 of the book with an overview of America's future.
   
   Part 2 discusses the major problems today--with chapters on U.S. debt, healthcare, Social Security, pension plans, and the real estate bubble. Part 3 opens with a tutorial of how the government manipulates economic data such as the GDP and inflation. He then extends earlier discussions on the credit bubble, the economic consequences of the baby boomers, fraud and control by corporate America, and the effects of peak oil. He concludes with 3 chapters devoted to short and long-term forecasts in the stock market and provides a very sound investment strategy to profit both before and during America's Next Great Depression.
   
   OPINION & REVIEW
   This is by far the most informative investment book I have read this year and the very best on this topic. The author is clearly an expert on investments and economics. The book is as well-organized as a college text book but reads much better, is easier to understand, and you will learn more. If you like to see actual data to back up statements you will love this book, as it has been extremely well researched. The author's command of the subject matter is impressive in both depth and coverage...exactly what I needed to be convinced of a coming depression.
   
   I especially enjoyed the chapters on the real estate bubble, health care, retirement, and the one showing how the government manipulates economic numbers. The investment advice is very valuable and rational and is fully supported by the previous 16 chapters.
   
   When you read this book, it will be nearly impossible to disagree with the author's conclusions and investment advice because of the enormous amount of supporting evidence. It will cause you to rethink dozens of issues and introduce many others you probably weren't aware of.
   
   And if you are like me, the book will motivate (or scare) you to demand politicians address these issues instead of ignoring them. The main reason they don't deal with difficult issues is because (as the author points out) they don't want to risk losing a reelection. Corruption serves as a motivation for other politicians. As long as voters are not fully aware of the problems challenging America's empire, they will continue to avoid engineering effective solutions. If all voters read America's Financial Apocalypse, they would force politicians to confront these difficult issues. That would be the only way to avoid a depression.
   
   To the author: Thank You for this essential, eye-opening book!



4. This Book Really Delivers
   
   Unlike other books that discuss America's problems, this one does not focus on one or two problems but presents all of the major issues America is facing from economic, social and global political issues, to all of the financial issues. Rather than focusing on America's national debt as a primary issue, the author realizes that no one problem is strong enough to take down the greatest nation on earth. Instead, the book discusses the two biggest problems in America--the healthcare crisis and free trade, which have accelerated America's declining competitiveness. The author also explains the misconceptions of the state of Social Security, the global oil shortage, continued presence in Iraq and growing tensions in the middle east, the real estate bubble, the pension problems and many more topics; all of this in addition to the growing record national debt and trade deficits. And he relates all of this together to the Baby Boomers.
   
   He also makes an excellent case for Alan Greenspan, or the "Great Bubble Maestro" as the author labels him as a primary cause of much of America's stock market and real estate bubbles. Perhaps the greatest achievement of this work is that the author presents exhaustive data to back his points, something I have yet to be seen elsewhere. It is easy for someone to say that healthcare needs to be fixed or that America's living standards are in decline, but the author shows all of the date to support almost everything he mentions.
   
   He also makes very reasonable but adverse predictions for the dollar, long-term interest rates, and explains why America has a major economic correction that is inevitable. He points out well that we never recovered from the recession thought to have ended in 2001-2002, and Americans have been using credit to fuel the economy. The author goes at lengths to prove this and he even illustrates how the most critical economic numbers such as GDP and inflation have been manipulated by the government.
   
   Even if this book did nothing more than to point out these issues, it would be a great achievement. But the author goes further to predict a major depression and he pays out very rational low-risk recommendations for investments.
   
   I could see this book being useful for everyone--working Americans, activists, politicians, economists, and citizens concerned about America's future, as well as investors at all levels. It is truly a critical read.



5. Although over 500 pages, I was glued to this book because of its full coverage and detail of the topics. The real estate bubble chapter alone is better than other books I have read devoted solely to this topic. The same can be said of the debt, Social Security, Pension, and Debt chapters. And although the author does not devote a chapter on the global oil situation, he talks about it extensively in many chapters and covers it in more detail with better insight than any other book I have read exclusively devoted to this topic.
   
   The 3 chapters on investments are brilliant and stem from the analysis and data presented in the previous 15 chapters. I am a very experienced and successful investor and the information within this book has opened my eyes and I plan to send a copy to my local Congressmen as well as my financial advisor. In fact, getting this book is like getting 6 books rolled up into one. The author obviously spent a very long time doing his research and analysis and it shows. This book puts all others related to America's economy and future to shame. And unfortunately, I am afraid the conclusions he has made will come to fruition, but now I will be ready.
   
   Thank you for opening my eyes to the realities of America.

No comments about Swing Trading For Dummies.

5 comments about Investing in REITs: Real Estate Investment Trusts: Third Edition.

1. Most investors can point to an elite handful of teachers that they would credit for their investment success and overall knowledge of markets. Warren Buffett, Peter Lynch, and perhaps John Bogle are the best-known great friends of the individual investor in our generation. I don't say this lightly, but for any investor trying to get a handle on the REIT asset class, Ralph Block is in their esteemed company.
   
   You won't find a more clearly written book about REITs anywhere, and beginning investors to hedge fund managers would be well-advised to digest everything that Ralph puts forth in his continually updated books on REITs. The metrics used to evaluate REITs, the forces which make them rise and fall, and their tax implications are different enough from other asset classes that any conscientious investor should keep this book handy. Ralph does a masterful job of making this fine asset class easier to understand, and he helps investors know where to spot risk, growth, management excellence and ultimately, opportunity.
   
   REITs have gone from being an undiscovered backwater in the investment world (perhaps because so many real estate limited partnerships in the 1980's were indeed toxic waste) but today they are clearly mainstream. Investors need to understand what they own, and Ralph's book helps readers understand exactly that. He writes in a clear, succinct fashion that is manna from heaven for both the new investor and private equity guy alike. People focusing on P/E ratios, MACD divergences and EBITDA would be well-served to invest a little time and a teensy amount of money in this book to get a handle on AFFOs, NAVs, and most importantly, great REIT management teams.
   
   Ralph is a looong-time REIT investor, has been a top-rated REIT fund manager and he has a unique perspective on this important asset class. His contributions to REIT understanding have been recognized by NAREIT (the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts) and by many individual investors through his books and his well-received contributions on The Motley Fool message boards. Feel confident that purchasing his book is a good decision on your part.



2. More and more financial advisers suggest investing in REITs. But are they another real-estate investment fad, like the "real estate limited partnerships" of the 1980s? Not at all, says Ralph L. Block, an experienced REIT portfolio manager and former securities attorney. In this clear, sensible book, Block provides an engaging overview of REITs and the underlying real-estate market in which they invest. Block's self-deprecating, casual style is refreshing, and the book assumes little background knowledge of finance, economics or real estate (though it does bog down occasionally in accounting minutiae). In addition to learning about REITs, you'll also get a painless refresher on investment basics at no extra cost. We recommend this book to prudent, buy-and-hold investors who want to know if REITs are right for them.



3. I came across the first edition of this book in my local library (along with Mullaney's book on REITs). That edition hit all the right notes, and as expected from someone who manages an REIT fund, Block reserves considerable space in the book for his pitch for the REIT as a great investment vehicle. Overall, I found the first edition to be balanced, even-handed and a solid introduction to the REIT, though I did have a few criticisms about REITs in general. These are the following:
   
   1. REITs generally are high yield investments. Block failed to address the common dangers associated with any high yield investment, and he did not mention any specific means for the investor (particularly small investors like myself) to shield these juicy yields from the tax man. In passing, over the long term, I am of the opinion that carefully selected REITs will provide an adequate total return, and the prudent small investor would do well to include a select few of them in a Roth IRA.
   
   2. Block tries to compare REITs with other income producing stocks, and generally fails in this regard. Though REITs have similarities to utilities and preferred stock (the one over-riding similarity being the fat yield), there are too many differences between REITs and other income producing investments to make a fair comparison.
   
   3. I believe that an REIT should be evaluated as a common stock first, and then as a real estate play second, rather than the other way around, as Block preferred to do. Granted, the basic nature of the activity should be taken into account, but one should never forget that the publicly traded REIT is a stock. That said, less attention should be paid to the FFO (funds from operation) or AFFO and more should be paid to net income. FFO can be gamed, as Block correctly pointed out, by the creative interpretation as to what constitutes depreciation (FFO is typically defined as net income, less capital gains on sale of real estate, plus depreciation).
   
   4. Block correctly identified the importance of capital structure for the REIT, and did a good job of explaining the REITs need for capital infusions. Intelligent investors in this activity would do well to keep in mind that institutional players get to participate in REITs as either bond-holders or preferred holders, and thus they get sweeter deals than the little guy, who, unless he participates through a mutual fund, will almost always participate as a common stock holder. Moreover, the little guy gets paid his dividend AFTER the institutional players get their cut. Also, I disagree with Block's notion that market cap is a good indicator of REIT capitalization. Essentially, I feel that REIT capitalization is best measured by the balance sheet ( debt load plus cash position and equity), and while not the best measure of capitalization, it is, in my opinion (which granted ain't worth much)better than the use of a subjective measure which changes as market conditions change.
   
   5. I found it odd that Block did not mention the importance of cash flow for the REIT. At a minimum, the REIT has to be able to service its debts. An REIT with a weak cash position and cash flow constraints can not deliver a fat yield for long. Intelligent investors in this activity would do well to be very wary of an REIT that pays out more in dividends than it actually earns in net income per share. An outfit doing this is generally eroding its cash position, thus weakening its ability to service its debts and making it vulnerable to adverse external conditions.
   
   6. My last point is perhaps the most important. The little guy looking to profit in this space is up against 1) insttitutional players who can get sweeter deals as mentioned before and 2) real estate pros who are closer to the various real estate markets and eat, sleep and breathe real estate 24/7. The little guy would do well to know market cycles, specific property types and demographic trends very well before looking at REIT investments. Also, the pros more typically have access to a greater variety and volume of information than is typical in more traditional common stock investment, so on that score, the small investor is fairly well disadvantaged. Thus, I am of the opinion that REIT investment may require a lot more work for a little extra gain, so it is best to dabble lightly in this space.
   
   In sum, this book, now in its third edition, makes for a good starting point for REIT investment. In passing, a more accessible, albeit dated text on REIT investment is John A. Mullaney's REITs: Building Profits with Real Estate Investment Trusts. Those of you looking to invest with safety and success in this space would do well to pick up the latter book and memorize Chapter 16 of the text word for word.



4. Great book for someone trying to get a basic understanding of REITs written from an investor's perspective.



5. After doing lots of reading from investing books, I wanted to learn more about the REIT asset class of investments. This book had some good information, but the main information I was looking for was how taxes are reported and why they are fairly complicated. The author only gave a two page appendix on taxes. I felt like he spent way too much time on why you should invest in REIT's and the aspects of when to buy and what to look for individual REIT's and not the big picture of owning REIT's in an mutual fund or REIT index fund. I was more concerned on how taxes affect your investment's location (Taxable vs. Tax Advantaged) and that was totally ignored. Dissapointed.

4 comments about Effective Work Breakdown Structures (The Project Management Essential Ibrary Series) (The Project Management Essential Ibrary Series).

1. Of the three books that focus solely on work breakdown structures this is the most complete. The other two are "Nuts and Bolts Series 1--How to Build a Work Breakdown Structure" by Carl L. Pritchard, and "Project Management Institute Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures". The burning question is how do they compare and which is best. For a no-nonsense and pragmatic book the "Nuts and Bolts Series" book wins. It has the distinction of being the first book on the subject, and is one that I used as a reference for the past 4 years. If you are planning to certify as a PMP, your best bet is the PMI Practice Standard, because you're sure to encounter exam questions that are based on that book. However, if you want a comprehensive book that covers every facet of principles and practice, this is the book to get.

   What sets this one apart from the other two (all other factors being equal) is the clearer descriptions of the principles, and the checklists. I also like the way that the author goes deeper into details about how to align the WBS to various project types (product-, service- and results-oriented projects), and the more complete life cycle view that this book provides. As an aside, a results-oriented project, previously mentioned, is a project such as organizational change management, which doesn't produce a tangible deliverable in the same manner as, for example, a software development project does.

   To put into context the comparison among the three books, I favor this one because of personal preferences. Each merits, in my opinion, equal value, and any of the three will give you the knowledge necessary to develop a work breakdown structure.




2. A total of 100 pages, which would seem a bit pricey, but in the 100 pages Haugan does a very competent job of covering the subject.
   
   Most of the critical concepts in PM are really pretty basic, and most projects and PM texts fail on understanding and executing on those basic concepts. This book is very clear and succinct on the basics of WBS.
   
   I very much admire Haugan's approach. I expect my copy will be around for a long time, marked-up, with yellow sticky-notes protruding out.



3. I've just bought this book last month while implementing SAP Project system. It is very helpful for me to design suitable WBS in my company.



4. Clear, concise, and to the point.
   I would still like to study some effective examples of fully developed WBSs for commercial construction.

2 comments about Breakthroughs in Technical A New Thinking from the World's Top Minds.

1. This book has chapters written by several of the best technical analysts in the business. More recent research than the classics by Magee and Murphy. It's well worth the money.



2. i think is a great book about advanced technical analysis
   
   it is difficult for a begginer in technical analysis understand all the chapters but i think technical analysis has started change last years(many traders can trade just infront of their pcs) and this book give new ideas very usefull to any trader

5 comments about Angel Investing: Matching Startup Funds with Startup Companies -- A Guide for Entrepreneurs, Individual Investors, and Venture Capitalists.

1. This book is one of THE BEST books on this subject matter that I have read in recent years. Having been in the venture capital industry for many years I was very interested to read what van Osnabrugge and Robinson had to say. I'll be the first to admit that I was a bit skeptical because the book was written by academics. However, after a careful read it became clear that these authors have done their homework and know what they are talking about. This book is an enjoyable read that has some of the most useful information I have found to date. I urge anyone interested in entrepreneurship and investing to read this book. You won't be sorry.



2. "Angel Investing" by Mark Van Osnabrugge and Robert J. Robinson gives useful information about angel investors and venture capitalists.

   Van Osnabrugge and Robinson estimate that angel investors--wealthy individuals who invest their own money into start-up companies--invest three to five times more money than venture capitalists and back thirty to forty times more ventures, making angel investors the primary source of external capital for entrepreneurs.

   But, how do you meet and present your business idea to an angel investor? What factors do angel investors give the most weight to when debating whether or not to fund a venture? How do angel investors differ from venture capitalists when valuing a start-up company?

   "Angel Investing" answers these questions and many more. It is stuffed with studies, interviews, and solid advice. "Angel Investing" can be divided into three main categories:

   * General background about angel investors and venture capitalists and their relationship and importance to business and the economy.

   * Practical advice for entrepreneurs seeking start-up funds from angel investors or venture capitalists.

   * Practical advice for individuals considering becoming angel investors and making investments in small companies.

   Each topic in "Angel Investing" is well documented. It's a rather formal book, actually. Robinson is a professor at the Harvard Business School and Van Osnabrugge is a former fellow of the Harvard Business School.

   I found the section about successful angel investment deals a bit too rich for my taste. For example, we learn that one angel investor who backed amazon.com got a 260 times return on his initial investment of $100,000 making him $26 million. Another angel who invested in the Body Shop received 10,500 times his initial investment. As a new angel investor, don't get overly excited about the prospects! Remember, many angel investments fail dismally. As the authors point out, you must only invest money you can afford to lose!

   If you are already a financially successful entrepreneur who considers becoming an angel investor, you might want to read "Angel Investing" to help improve the chances of making successful angel investments. However, the book is not a complete analysis of the due diligence process.

   And, of course, from an entrepreneur's standpoint, reading a book won't automatically put you in contact with serious angel investors, and much of the real work in financing a new venture involves finding personal contacts to introduce you to appropriate angel investors. Van Osnabrugge and Robinson note that most funded ventures involve personal introductions.

   Maybe, if you're ready to invest $50,000 per company or more (and ready to lose $50,000 or more per investment!), you're tired of investing in public companies (with mystic accounting and lack of reportability to the investor), and you want to add value to your investment by contributing information and contacts to your investment, this might be a good book to help get you started. On the downside, you'll probably have no diversification and poor liquidity with angel investments.

   The most important tip from "Angel Investing": Do adequate research before investing in a company. And, it's best if you know the industry and know business.

   Peter Hupalo, Author of "Thinking Like An Entrepreneur."




3. If you are planning to go after Angel funding, this book is a must-read. The book contains interviews with a broad spectrum of Angels, who discuss their investment experience, the thinking they go through, and key things they look for, when evaluating an opportunity. This book would serve as an excellent reference for anyone preparing to be in front of Angels.



4. This book starts off slowly but when it gets rolling it is very helpful ,giving good infromation where and when you need it.



5. I am the Founder & CEO of a business that within the next 8 to 12 months was seeking to raise between $2M and $5M to fund our expansion. I always thought of going straight to Venture Capital firms or Private Equity divisons of Invmt Banks that I have already been in touch with. This book, Angel Investing, was a truly priceless read to me. The education delivered by authors has helped me re-strategize my approach to inviting external investors and also the amount that I should try to raise and the schedule of funds. What I thought was most helpful was the detailed comparisons between Angel Investors and Venture Capitalist, as well as understanding the psychology behind their thinking and how an entrepreneur seeking outside funds should try to prepare every aspect of their presentation (themselves, their product and overall business plan). The book has given me tools to have most questions covered and more importantly has prepared me to become an angel myself in the years ahead.

5 comments about Why Not?: How to Use Everyday Ingenuity to Problems Big And Small.

1. I love this book - lots of good ideas on how to be creative. Very fun and inspiring!
   
   More at: Notes on the book "Why Not?" (How to Use Everyday Ingenuity to Solve Problems Big and Small)
   http://ideamatt.blogspot.com/2005/05/notes-on-book-why-not-how-to-use.html



2. A couple of ingenious and creative Yale professors started ideating in good humor and out came this hidden gem. Everyday situations that might frustrate most people are actually opportunities for discovering new ideas - if only one can condition the mind to respond to situations in a restorative fashion. If you simply take away this one concept from this book, life will become way more rewarding all of a sudden.
   
   Besides making that one powerful switch in the brain, this book has helped me in a few other ways from time to time. It provided a stimulant to the brain to find new business ideas and fired up my neurons to find investment opportunities out of everyday situations. It provided contrarian tips and techniques for first-principles based problem solving.
   
   I especially love this book for supplying a bag of interview questions that helped me get into the head of my interviewees. They are simple enough to solve within minutes and have enough tracks to the right answer that you can understand how they go about solving them. This book has helped me make hiring decisions!



3. A recommended read for those who need structure in conjuring up the creative forces of their intellect. The book is punctuated with tons of relevant examples to illustrate each method. A great resource for existing and would be entrepreneurs.



4. Interesting book. It makes me wish I had grown up to be an economist.



5. Why Not? called out to me from the bookshelf. This was odd because I'd not enjoyed reading in years. In the end I picked it up. This was three years ago. Why Not? ignited a passion that still fuels my love for books. Right now I am reading Super Crunchers by Ian Ayers.

5 comments about The Expert's Guide to Collecting & Investing in Rare Coins: Secrets Of Success.

1. Very informative, well written guide in investing in coins. The author possesses unquestionable authority on the subject and has a remarkably well-honed ability to write on an academic topic in an exciting manner. He is sharp-witted and enjoyable. The book is very complete and most importantly - relevant and timely. If you wish to invest and collect coins this is a must have guide.



2. I read "Gold Rush: How to Collect, Invest & Profit With Gold Coins" by Mitch Battino and Arlyn Sieber (see my review of that book) prior to reading this book by Q. David Bowers. I'm glad I did because while the Gold Rush book was a very big disappointment, it made me realize just how truly good Mr. Bowers book is.
   
   I have to be honest, coin books are generally NOT books that you read from beginning to end and find that you can't put down. This book is an exception - I couldn't put it down and I read the entire book from beginning to end.
   
   Although I've been collecting for years, one thing I enjoyed about this book was that some of those obscure numismatic terms that other authors assume you know, Mr. Bowers will stop and take a sentence or two to explain the term. I really appreciated that.
   
   Plus, where the Gold Rush book failed in the "How to Collect, Invest, and Profit," this book did an excellent job of showing how to do just that. It is not a price guide with outdated prices. It is an excellent reference guide with information that will never get old. This book will still be great 10 years from now.
   
   This book has excellent chapters with hands-on advise and great stories to help explain coin market cycles, determining coin prices and value (not a list of coin prices like other books but goes into things like grading, rarity, and demand), history of the coin market and predicting the rare coin market, techniques for buying and selling, and chapters on collecting advise for everything from gold coins, commemorative coins, to paper money and tokens and medals. The only thing I would point out as that this book sticks to the U.S. rare coin market and does not discuss World coins.
   
   I own more than a few coin books and this book has shot up to the top of my list as the "must have" book. Whether you are a new or experienced collector or investor (aren't we all really both), you will enjoy and profit from this book.
   
   In the future, when I'm asked by new collectors what is a good book to get, this will be the book I recommend.



3. --
   "The Expert's Guide to Collecting & Investing in Rare Coins" is definitely worth reading. It is autobiographical and contains the secrets of his 60 years of success as collector, investor, numismatist, grader, dealer, auctioneer, ANA board member, and author.
   
   Cramming six decades of numismatic life experiences into a single book is tough, requiring mental and spiritual strength. Doing this in a comprehensive, coherent and organized manner is unquestionably a laborious, taxing, onerous, and difficult task. Such a demanding project could only be achieved by the formidable Q. David Bower.
   
   Mr. Bower is one of the most prolific numismatic writers of all time, he has written over 30 books and numerous articles and columns.This is by far the most important of his works and possibly the best ever, the quality of information & wide-ranging content makes it the cream of the crop, flower of the flock, pick of the bunch --whatever you want to call it.
   
   It is full of valuable expertise, candid story telling, dealer & auctioneer trade secrets, smart buying and selling techniques and recommendations, and detailed descriptions of every US coin by type, complete with a close focus on: Rarity, Grading, Quality, and Value of coins. It also includes his recommendations and insights on Conferences, Life & Internet Auctions, Library, Protection and Conservation of Coins, Tokens, Medals, and Paper Money.
   
   Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I Recommend this Book.
   
   See my other reviews.
   
   
   
   Official A.N.A. Grading Standards for United States Coins
   High Profits from Rare Coin Investment
   A California Gold Rush history: Featuring the treasure from the S.S. Central America : a source book for the Gold Rush historian and numismatist
   A Guide Book Of Us Morgan Silver Dollars: A Complete History and Price Guide (Official Red Book) (Official Red Book)
   The History of United States Coinage
   The United States Gold Coin Collection
   Silver Dollars and Trade Dollars of the United States: A Complete Encyclopedia
   The Numismatist's Bedside Companion (The Numismatist's Companion Series)
   A Guide Book of Modern United States Proof Coin Sets: A Complete History and Price Guide (Official Red Book)
   The Inside Story Of The State Quarters (Official Whitman Guidebook)
   A Guide Book of U.S. Commemorative Coins (The Official Red Book)
   Coin Dealer Newsletter: A Study in Rare Coin Price Performances
   American Coin Treasures & Hoards
   Recollections of a Mint Director



4. This book is EXTREMELY thorough. However, as a newcomer to the field, it was a tough one for me, as it seems the author already presupposes a fair amount of knowledge of coin-collecting jargon on the part of the reader (to be fair, perhaps it's my fault for not taking the "EXPERT'S" part of the title literally.)
   
   I highly recommend this book if you already have some basic knowledge in the field. However, for genuine neophytes like myself, it would be better to get the basics from a source geared to beginners first (maybe COIN COLLECTING FOR DUMMIES.) I think this book would then be much more understandable and enjoyable.



5. I could have done without this book. Its design is flawed, and the binding is stiff and brittle. I prefer the Redbook or Bluebook.

4 comments about Kaizen and the Art of Creative Thinking - The Scientific Thinking Mechanism.

1. Having practiced Lean for over seven years, my biggest complaint has been the difficulty of finding books written simple and direct. Dr. Shingo's book is easy to read, simple, full of real-world examples not theory, and yet provides deep insight into a difficult area that all western manufacturers struggle with - continuous improvement at all levels.
   
   People with different reading styles will appreciate his graphical representations. Although, at times I found them less useful (personal reading style).
   
   Read this book once for the simplicity, then read it again to see the insights behind the simplicity. Then share it with everyone in your organization if you truly want to become a world-class manufacturer.



2. I have just received the book the other day and I am impressed with what impressive clarity Shigeo Shingo shows what Kaizen is really about:
   
   -- Finding new ways of improvement through thinking out of the box.
   
   Half way through the book I can say it is the most challenging and condensed piece of literature I have read on Lean until the present day.
   
   Shigeo Shingo shows through his given examples (from various industries and backgrounds) where people's mental models (meaning assumptions, behaviours, beliefs, etc.) seem be stuck to old thinking until there comes a shift of thinking. The short episodes have a great impact on the reader's own thinking and connecting to his/her past experiences.
   
   So my opinion is that the book -even though (or because?) the initial work of Shingo came out in 1959- is well suited to present questions around work improvement.



3. Kaizen is a Japanese word for small changes for continuous improvement. Kai means change and Zen means good. Anthony Robbins, the self-improvement guru, uses this, so does Toyota.
   
   "Kaizen and The Art of Creative Thinking" by Shigeo Shingo is a book about change, and how to making it happen. This book is designed to shake up the status-quo. It is self-help for organizations, and has much information that can be used by individuals. While the examples are from manufacturing, these principles can be used, and are being used, in many different organizations. If you are a supervisor, shift leader, manager, or a worker looking to improve work, you need to read this. If you are a business consultant and haven't read this, shame on you!
   
   Dr. Shigeo Shingo was a master of Kaizen and wrote a book in 1958 about creative thinking. This is his book. Shingo writes "based on my 30 years of hands-on experience of plant improvement, I developed a system called the "Scientific Thinking Mechanism." It embodies techniques and philosophies advocated by others, such as the aforementioned Experimental Scientific Thinking, Creative Thinking, and Brainstorming methods. Although each of these methods captured a certain aspect, none of them were comprehensive. Thus, I combined the strengths of these various methods and created this Scientific Thinking Mechanism." Some of these are Fredrick Taylor, Immanuel Kant, and W. E. Deming, well known to all college business students.
   
   Dr. Shingo breaks down complex subjects in simple terms. He illustrates his points using humor and shop floor examples with lots of charts and illustrations to show what's discussed and to tie these concepts together. Each one of the six chapters, Principles of Analytical Thinking, Capturing Problems, Idea Generation for Improvement, Evolution of Improvement, From Ideas to Reality, and Promoting Improvement Ideas are stuffed full of real-life examples highlighting the chapter's points. You can actually see how The "Scientific Thinking Mechanism" came to be.
   
   In Chapter Six, he describes the Engineer's Instinct and the Manager's Instinct. In the example, the change didn't completely solve the problem, just 60% successful. The engineer's instinct says it didn't do 100%, so it doesn't work. The manager's instinct says there a savings of 40% - so more profit! Also in this chapter he describes 10 common objections to change. I hate to admit it, but I've used some myself. It is worthwhile to note that between 50 years and two cultures, Japanese and American, there are the same obstacles to change.
   
   Reviewed by Steve at J. Kaye's Book Blog



4. In this book, the reader is taken back behind the proverbial " curtain", to be shown the essence of the thought processes used by one of the profound geniuses of lean thinking in the 20th century.
   
   This book will have the heaviest impact upon those who have a great difficulty grasping how to think unconventionally. It will only help those people, when they are truly ready to loosen their grasp upon their traditional paradigms.
   
   What particularly impresses me when I read this book is that it is not overly complicated, and in fact, is in many ways very simple. It takes the reader to the threshold, to touch the ability to open up and allow oneself to be receptive to thinking differently.
   
   By thinking differently, the mind ends up in a different place. This "place" is subtle, yet the implications are profound.
   
   One thing that really did surprise me about Dr. Shingo's presentation was his creative assimilation of western thought. Almost all of his references in the development of his thought processes come from western thinkers - not the ancient Buddhist Japanese texts, that students of Zen and eastern thought might be inclined to think were the sources, but rather, a solid reliance upon the same people that many of us were exposed to in our education. The profound realization herein is that while Dr. Shingo read the same books, he got entirely different messages from the reading. That, in and of itself, gives me much pause for reflection.
   
   This is not a book to be read once and then put down - the real value comes from beginning to "live with it", as a companion.
   
   As a final thought, don't try too hard to understand what is being said - simply open up, allow the mind to relax, and let the mind be taken to new and different places - this might be scary to some, but can be accomplished if you allow yourself to trust ultimately in truth for the sake of truth.
   
   Happy reading!

4 comments about Content Rich: Writing Your Way to Wealth on the Web.

1. If your company consists of only two people, one should be a competent copywriter. This book may not teach you to be a capable copywriter but if it convinces you of the need, it's worth the cover price.
   
   The book's target market is the small business developing an online marketing strategy. It rightly emphasizes content as the single most important - and expensive - element of such a strategy and the need to maximize return on that investment. From his own work as a professional copywriter Jon Wuebben provides examples of the tactics used to implement a digital marketing strategy - web site copy, search engine marketing (paid and organic), bulk email, press releases, blogs, and distributed content.
   
   The book emphasizes breadth in its treatment of digital copywriting rather than depth. It canvasses the topic rather than providing detailed instruction on every aspect. In fairness, it would be a much larger book otherwise and likely less accessible. I think it would have benefitted, however, by a more extensive bibliography of additional resources and a more robust index.
   
   Content Rich may best illustrate the legitimate function of self-promotion by publication. It's a canny example of the value of content in marketing. It's also given me a few ideas about branding myself, including writing book reviews for Amazon.



2. Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (7/08)
   
   
   The sub-subtitle of this book is "The Complete SE0 Copywriting Guide for Search Engine Rankings and Sales Conversion" which caught my eye immediately. Like anyone else that has an online business, I'm always striving to keep my sites in high rankings with the search engines. With millions and millions of sites and each one of us competing for the top stops, we need to keep on top of the how-to. Jon Wuebben's book is the how-to from beginning to end!
   
   It has been a slow go for me to get through this book because every page, and I mean every page, has something on it that needs to be done or checked out. For example Wuebben says "Here is something you should do right now; jump on to Google and type in "site: www.yourdomain.com" - fill in your domain with whatever your site URL is. What pops up are all your titles and descriptions for pages indexed by Google. Are they all the same? That needs to change! Every page needs unique titles and descriptions." I did this immediately and yes, we need to change. In fact, we are in the process of doing that now. We used a template before that entered the same thing on every page. Well, we are finding out this isn't the right way to go and have to change near 5000 pages manually! This is a big thanks to Jon Wuebben.
   
   There is so much information in this book it could be very overwhelming, however, it is also information that is extremely important for anyone who has a web-based business. Wuebben covers things like SEO website copyrighting, going viral, pay per click, and outsourcing. He also gives case studies as well as resources.
   
   "Content Rich" gives concise and relevant information for today's business world. Wuebben dispels the mysteries and takes away the fears of the "not knowing" about the World Wide Web and how it functions. Upbeat and conversational type of language is straightforward making understanding the concepts a breeze. This is a must-have book by all the millions of website owners.



3. I really appreciate the content of this book. As a business owner who has relied on too many of the wrong people to get a productive website built, I have forced myself to learn everything I can about "being online." It is important to first understand the enormity of what is taking place online and how if you don't participate effectively, your business will become obsolete. I highly recommend this book because it gives you concrete action steps you can implement immediately so you start to see the results.



4. It's not easy to make a book about writing copy to optimize your rankings on search engines (SEO) into a real page turner, but Jon Wuebben makes a valiant attempt.
   
   Writing business books is always a little dicey for the author because the audience is divided between those who know nothing or next to nothing about the topic (that would be me) and those people who are simply looking to add to the information they already have about the business being discussed--that would be my husband.
   
   For me, a novice in the field of web sales, the topic is just plain daunting, but that's my problem, not Wuebber's. The author uses simple, declarative sentences, a laidback conversational tone and plain English where he could be using "technobabble". His examples are straightforward, easy to follow and demonstrably convincing, even for the uninitiated.
   
   I found the apples-to-apples comparisons he uses very effective. By that I mean, he shows the copy as it looks before the improvements and SEO and then again after. The change was obvious, the explanations clear, and the result definitely beneficial. And, if I got it, so will everyone else.
   
   My husband, with a Web history as old as the Web itself found it to be valuable as well. What impressed him most is that Wuebber cites other sources for his statistics, rather than simply personal research. This approach makes his assertions all the more compelling and gives real meat to his data.
   
   If you're looking to find a pot of gold over the Internet rainbow, Content Rich: Writing Your Way to Wealth on the Web may very well be your own ruby slippers.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: This is knowledge anyone who wants to generate traffic on the Web should know.