3 comments about Creating Mixed Model Value Streams: Practical Lean Techniques for Building to Demand.

1. Value stream mapping and lean "nuts and bolts" for high variety - low quantity products. This book walks the reader through the process of setting up a high variety flow. I am no lean expert by an stretch of the imagination, but found this book to be extremely helpful in understanding and implementing the technique of flow.
   
   The writing is very clear and concise. Graphics show clearly the subject being discussed.
   
   I suggest reading Learning to See first to understand how to create value stream maps, then apply those learned skills to the floor using Creating Mixed Model Value Streams.
   
   This book should be a required core course in the lean planned program of study. But remember there is no graduation, only life long learning.



2. 
   In this very good book author Kevin Duggan describes an approach to implementing lean manufacturing in challenging environments characterized by a high degree of variety, shared resources, and lumpy demand. All too often in such situations, practitioners conclude that lean principles can be applied incompletely or not at all. Significant missed process improvement opportunities follow from this foundational misunderstanding.
   
   Duggan develops his material using as a case study the hypothetical EMC Supply Company. Value stream mapping is used throughout the book to depict the current scenario and the various improvements to achieve the desired future state.
   
   The author starts at the very beginning, with a discussion of how the proper definition of product families is critical to the creation of flow in high mix plants. He goes on to introduce the concepts of takt time and the pacemaker operation for the process. From there the discussion moves to the balancing of operations, presentation of materials at the point of use, scheduling the work, and dealing with variation in customer demand.
   
   These concepts are applied by the EMC implementation team and are illustrated with an evolving series of value stream maps. As a result the presentation has a "real world" feel to it that should encourage application of the principles.
   
   One significant caveat needs however to be mentioned. Successful implementation is about pressing through countless details in every situation. Duggan draws attention to this in various places writing for example, "Material presentation for a high mix of products will take some creativity and planning. This is an area where we will have to sweat the details".
   
   In fact, in my experience as a lean implementer, the details need to be sweated at every turn. The concepts may be simple, elegant, and often self evident, but putting them into action requires an almost obsessive attention to a myriad of practical intricacies.
   
   For those committed to making this effort the results will be impressive. This book can help make it happen.



3. I have to agree with other reviewers. The math is dead simple. And the transition from batch to flow will re-invent your business.
   
   Where to book fell down for me was in the examples given. If i worked in a shop which only produced a small list of parts and very little process variation i would be done implementing by now.
   
   Where a small business may fall most large facilities/organizations do not. Again, great way to approach changing the way your business runs but without some serious data mining and statistical skills you will end up right where you started.

5 comments about Street Wise: A Guide for Teen Investors.

1. This book was easy to follow. I enjoyed the chapter on how to get a job on Wall Street. I am 14 and have already started saving for college thanks to this book. My mom made me read it. I was reluctant at first but now I am very glad she did. That is why I rate this book a five!!!!



2. This book was a great introduction to the Stock Market for me. It was simple and easy to read. It was also interesting. I highly recommend this book.



3. This is an excellent introduction to the stock market for teenagers. The book is directed towards teenagers and accomplishes it's goal well. All teenagers should read this book to gain a starting knowledge of the American Stockmarket.
   The book teaches stock vocabulary, trading tips, how to start, risk and rewards, and many other topics. But, this book is definitely an introduction - if you have a good knowledge of the stock market already, this might not be for you.



4. I started looking into investing and the stock market a year or so ago when I realized I had enough money to start investing long-term. I tried a couple different books, but they all seemed too childish or too confusing. I found Street Wise at the library, and even before I had finished reading it I ordered my own copy. The whole book is very well-organized and kept me very interested all the way through.
   
   Although teens as young as thirteen or fourteen would find the material age-appropriate, I would consider this book a valuable resource for adults as well. In "Street Wise," Bamford describes:
   1. The value of compound interest for young investors
   2. The basics of how the stock market operates
   3. How investors actually buy and sell stocks
   4. The advantages and disadvantages of funds
   5. How to cope when the market is down
   6. Many investing resources, including clubs, trading games, and helpful websites.
   
   Speaking as a teenager, I would highly recommend this book to any young adult who wants to start investing!



5. This book has all the nuts and bolts, but it is a little too boring to keep the attention of my 16-year-old nephew. I also got him the Motley Fool Guide to Teen Investing which was much more interesting. This Street Wise book is a little too much like homework. If you're trying to get the teen exciting about investing and its possibilities, the Motley Fool book is a better choice in my opinion. Both books together make a solid start to an investing library for teens.

5 comments about Option Volatility Trading Strategies, New and Updated Edition.

1. No one has ever questioned that Natenberg literally wrote the book on option volatility and pricing, but I don't think anyone will argue it is not a light read. This new work is immensely more accessible and actually reads light a chat with the author. The professional or highly experienced trader might find it a good refresher at best, but for the newbie or average trader this book is a trove of answers and solid explanations. I haven't tried the tests at the end of the chapters (you can go to Traders' Library to take the online) but it looks like a good idea. The way I see it is this book is like the friend you had who read the instructions for the game Risk so you didn't have to. A great book to have on your shelf.



2. first off let me say that "option volatility & pricing" is a masterwork - an essential option trader's read.
   
   but natenberg's latest is a very lightweight volume with little insight for most traders. there is some basic discussion of volatility definitions. however there is not really anything resembling a "trading strategy" discussed in the book unless you consider "buy low, sell high" as a strategy.
   
   to be fair, n. offers no pretense of uncovering any secret strategy for market success. his goal seems to be imparting an understanding of how volatility is the key concept to grasp for determining option prices. he does a nice job of distinguishing between various perspectives on volatility (historical vs. future vs. forecast vs. implied) but ultimately fails to discuss how any of these variables can be incorporated into a trading framework.
   
   at best, the book points readers to look at option prices and values in terms of volatility (again "buy underpriced vol, sell overpriced vol") but leaves it to the reader to make the decision on what is a decent price to pay. this is not much different from saying "your guess is as good as mine." if that's the case (and in many ways i actually believe this to be true), it really makes no difference if you incorporate sophisticated volatility modeling into your trading or just throw darts.
   
   no in depth discussion of commonly experienced trading puzzles like skew, surface, anomalies between expiration periods, and so on. just simple, not-at-all-mathmatical, layman's overview of probability and statistics. many on-line discussion groups offer far more in-depth treatment of volatility trading and it's quirks for free. if you understand "option volatility & pricing" no need to supplement your library with this (even though i've just listed my copy for sale).



3. What little is there is good but the book appears to end as soon as it begins to appear useful. It's difficult to figure out for whom the book is intended: Too lightweight for those actually trading options, and too complicated for beginners. A real disappointment considering the reputation of the author!



4. Compared to his first book, this one is a joke and makes you wonder whether Natenberg did write it himself. It was way to basic and brief for a serious vol trader and too involved for a beginner. I went through the book in 30 minutes and was extremely disappointed. The book has less than 100 pages of real content, not to mention large font size and double space. A good chunk was spent on talking about very basic concept of expected value and normal distribution. I hope anyone who is interested in trading option would know such things by heart. And the book ends very abruptly. In short, the technical content of the book is thin, not worth $20.



5. Congratulations for the delivery service! It was realy very fast, good! Book in very good conditions , like new. The only problem was the book content, I didn't like. Too simple. It's like an introduction for a begginer level student.

2 comments about A Bluestocking Guide: Economics.

1. Easy to understand what many think is a complicated subject, because it SEEMED complicated in my traditional Econ. books! Good for Jr. High to Adult in my opinion.



2. I'm a HUGE fan of the books written by the author these guides were written for, but these guides were NOT written by the author and they are long winded tedious and all the things the book for the guides aren't! They are not user friendly and the guides are costly in comparision with the books they represent. I bought several from the series at the same time I bought the books and while the books were fantastic, none of the guides were useful! Sorry! But, that's the facts. in this case Unexcited Teacher!

3 comments about Equity-Indexed Annuities: The Smart Consumer's Guide.

1. Bought after having read about it in Jay's newsletter. This is a guide that every insurance agent who sells EIAs should read, and every person who is interested in purchasing EIAs should read -- there would be no more improper or unsuitable sales, and those people who could benefit by them can do so without worry.
   
   There is no description, discussion or plugging of any particular insurance company or annuity product, but rather the book focuses on when and when not EIAs should be used. This is absolutely not a self-promotional book or one that pumps EIAs in all circumstances. As the author repeats over and over, there are some occasions when EIAs should not be bought because of liquidity concerns or tax issues. Yet, when they can be used, they can be great products for retirement savings and wealth preservation.
   
   Unique among annuity books, there is a section on asset protection utilizing annuities in states that protect them by statute, which is of course not surprising considering Jay's background and his first book on asset protection with Chris Riser.
   
   Smart insurance agents will give this book to each prospective purchaser of EIAs to read first to avoid any later misunderstandings.



2. Excellent, easy to understand manual you must read before embarking on a purchase of EIA's.



3. This book is a very balanced explanation and review of the Indexed Annuity landscape. While some criticisms are not applicable to all products this small book does a very credible job of getting all the important issues on the table. I recommend this book to all that would like to learn more about this savings vehicle. Jeff Clark CPA

5 comments about Mergers, Acquisitions, and Other Restructuring Activities (Academic Press Advanced Finance).

1. This book is a one-stop shop for those interested in M&A. It covers all the relevant topics from how to develop a rigorous business plan appropriate to undertake an acquisition, to identifying and approaching target firms, to succesful negotiation, to planning and performing due dilgence, to planning and implementing successful integration, to financing the transaction. The book also addresses how to design effective takeover tactics and defenses. I was most impressed with the extent of the explanations about how to design and implement acquisition plans from a real world perspective. The author also addresses how to design effective takeover tactics and defenses. I also found the material on the M&A implications for governance very valuable.
   
   The book is also very well documented. The extensive list of publications is very helpful for locating more articles and books on this exciting subject. I found the glossary of M&A terms among the most useful I've seen. It could be published as an M&A dictionary. The numerous case studies sprinkled throughtout the book are very helpful in demystifying the subject.
   
   The CD included with the books contains a wealth of material often available on the internet for hundreds of dollars. The detailed M&A models and leveraged buyout models and due diligence question lists are available for customizing to meet your specific circumstances. I found the buyer due diligence question list in electronic form to be very valuable when it came time to making changes for my own needs The chapter outlines, study guides, and presentations also included on the CD are very helpful in internalizing the material. The CD also contains ansewrs to many case study questions and chapter questions.
   
   All things considered, this book is a must have for anyone serious about learning the subject.



2. Many business books take a pedantic, ponderous approach to what could easily be characterized as a challenging subject. However, I found the lively writing in this book to be very helpful to keeping my attention and to making difficult material more understandable. While the book is exhaustive, I found each chapter to be largely self contained. This text is clearly the most useful I have read on this subject. The CD included with the book contains models, presentations, chapter outlines, problem sets with answers, etc., all of which make this book the best available on the market.



3. This is one of those books that I wish I had written. As an experienced deal maker, I know what works and what doesn't. This book explains from a highly practical perspective the "art and science" of the deal. The author clearly has done his share of transactions in terms of his ability to capture the dynamic nature of the deal structuring and acquisition process. The author, as the chess master, goes through the development of alternative deal structures and strategies designed to consummate the deal. The process of offers and counter-offers is illustrated in a delightful and comprehensive case study at the end of the book.
   
   The book is written with a fluid style that brings what for most are very difficult concepts to life in a readily understandable yet rigorous way. The author's nummerous insights are documented through references to recent academic and practitioner studies and illustrated by using recent case studies. I find the author's frequent use of brief studies of transactions to illustrate his current point very enlightening.
   
   This book is far more than a reference or textbook; it is the reader's ticket to learning how to do deals and implement corporate restructuring activities. The book abounds with numerical and non-numerical examples to illustrate how to do things. The CD included with the text is easily worth the price of the book in that it provides numerous complex deal structuring and valuation M&A and LBO models. The CD also contains a wealth of other information including question lists for conducting due diligence and solutions to case study questions and problems contained in the text.
   
   Yes, I wish I had written this book. But, then, those things are best left to those who can.



4. This book is very readable unlike many higher education academic texts that can be quite boreing. The accompanied CD learning guide is average and could be structured better; however, overall, the text is up to a quality standard.



5. This is an excellent book and covers the entire process thoroughly. Well written and organized book.

5 comments about The Trader's Guide to Key Economic Indicators.

1. This book was surprisingly easy to read and understand. Very interesting material for anyone curious about the factors that influence the economy and what measures to watch to understand where we are heading. Concentrates on the major indicators and tells you where the data comes from. Illustrated with lots of charts and tables to help you understand the relationships over time. Organized so that the information builds up to the more complex relationships. Though written by an economist, this book is surprisingly easy to read and the material was interesting (even for someone that slept through econ 101, like me). The most useful economics book I have run across. Highly recommended.



2. This is a quality book without question. However, it provides too much factual descriptions about all the indices rather than important, key insights. I often had a hard time finishing every chapter completely. It often proves difficult (if not impossible) to get a hold of the data mentioned in the book without subscribing to a professional service like Bloomberg. 20% of this book gives 80% of the insight : I'd rather had seen the author explore that 20% in depth.



3. This book contains lots of factual information and useful overviews as to what the key economic indicators are, how they are constructed, what their purpose is, and how they work. With that said, it felt more like a pocketbook of facts and figures, similar to the ones published by The Economist, than an actual "guide" for traders.
   
   In the introduction, the book is offered as a useful source for anyone new to these indicators, but Yamarone never really mentions one of the most important aspects of trading: how to prioritize information flow.
   
   The drawback of fundamental trading is the susceptibility to "analysis paralysis," i.e. the danger of information overload causing you to freeze like a deer in the headlights. On the other side of the coin, traders who try to digest a mountain of information without prioritizing it are more likely to make their decisions based on a handful of dominating factors, or even hunches, and then simply use the additional supportive data they find to justify those decisions. Studies of decision-making habits conducted on CIA intelligence analysts show that, when there is a surplus of information, it's a natural tendency to use only a small portion of the information available, while incorrectly assuming that all of it is being utilized.
   
   Yamarone does not mention these pitfalls, nor does he cover the reality of theme trading and indicator fashion. Indicators and market relationships go in and out of style, much like short skirts or thigh high boots on the catwalks of Paris and Milan. Traders will collectively switch their focus from one relationship to another, one data set to another, and so on; the trade deficit means nothing for a while, then suddenly it means everything. The Employment Situation is critical for a time, then later inconsequential as long term yields come to the fore. It's all about context, and that isn't addressed at all.
   
   In writing for a large audience, Yamarone also made sure to keep his opinions bland and uncontroversial. I found this a little disappointing in terms of what was left out. For example, consider this tidbit from the chapter on New Residential Construction:
   
   "Before the 2001 recession, housing starts were the most reliable and accurate measure of U.S. economic health... the 2001 recession broke this pattern. Housing starts remained strong during the downturn because historically low inflation kept mortgage rates low..."
   
   For a student of economic history--or a trader wishing to profit from macroeconomic movements--this is highly provocative subject matter. Questions come tumbling forth: Has a longstanding relationship been declared invalid by the 2001 pattern, or was it a case of unprecedented doubling down via credit stimulus? Were mortgage rates low simply because inflation was low, or more because the fed was hell-bent on pumping easy money into the economy to avoid a reckoning? Is it historically a good thing to try and avoid all painful recessions, or are painful recessions occasionally necessary, as a cleansing process after a period of extreme speculative excess, with bad-to-worse consequences for putting them off? Is there greater risk when a paper asset bubble transitions into a real estate valuation bubble?
   
   Yamarone sails past all of this, like an amateur checkers player doing commentary for a chess tournament. My guess is that he is well aware of these subtexts, but his overriding goal was to avoid fistfights and not offend anyone. When conflict avoidance is a key factor, milktoast commentary is often the lukewarm result!
   
   In my reviews I occasionally suggest alternate titles that better reflect a book's contents. I would call this one "the MBA grad's guide to economic indicators," or maybe "the junior analyst's guide to economic indicators." If it were truly aimed at traders, it would (or should) have more to say about prioritizing information flow, gaming expectations, and paying attention to context, context, context.
   
   As it stands, Yamarone has put together a decent reference source to grab off the shelf when a wallflower data set becomes the latest belle of the Wall Street ball. By that measure, it's a worthwhile purchase.



4. I found this book to be very readable and balanced from start to finish. Sure, some of the material became a little dry, but each chapter was readable in a single sitting. The excellent consistency between chapters with respect to the writing style and use of charts made the book well worth the time to read. The author has done a great job in pointing out what matters for each index he described. I wish all books on finances could be written with such clarity. This book is ideal for anyone who wants to learn more about spotting trends in the economy by learning the significance of the dozen economic indicators the author presents.



5. The book answers every question a trader/investor would have regarding the various key economic reports that move the markets. Very detailed and informative.
   
   -JL
   www.weeklyta.blogspot.com

3 comments about You're Nothing but a Number - Why achieving great credit scores should be on your list of wealth building strategies.

1. Finally a book about credit reports and credit scores written by someone from INSIDE the credit industry rather than by someone simply researching the industry. If I read one more book about sending dispute letters to the credit bureaus I was going to puke!! The book is loaded with stuff that I didn't know and have never read in any other book, blog or website before. At first I thought $24.95 was a little pricy but it was totally worth it. In the foreword it says "this book wasn't written by a guy who knows a guy who knows the story. It was written by the guy who helped write the story." Ain't that the truth. Just to make sure he wasn't full of it, I did a search on his last name and he's quoted in like tons of national press articles. Good book.



2. Hello, this is John Ulzheimer and I wrote this book.
   
   For those of you who have purchased it, you can and should consider it an investment in your financial future. Why? Because having great credit reports and credit scores is the best way to keep more of your hard earned money at home, where it belongs.
   
   A little background...
   
   I actually started writing this book in 1997 after I left Equifax. The original title was going to be "Inside the Walls." I had about 30 pages finished when I realized that any book about credit needed to have a significant dedication to credit scoring. I had just taken my new job at Fair Isaac (FICO) and I decided to put the book on hold until I was well versed on the subject of credit scoring.
   
   When I left Fair Isaac in late 2004, I started re-writing the book from scratch. I finished it in early 2007. What you have is a 10-year labor of love and insight into the inner workings of the credit industry. I certainly hope you enjoy it and I hope you can leverage what you learn into better credit health and all that it entails.
   
   Why is this book different...
   
   This book is NOT about credit repair and it's not a bunch of quotes and research results. This book was written by an industry veteran (still in the industry) and it's all about learning how the system works so that you can function better within it. It's not about how to fool the credit reporting and credit scoring systems.
   
   If you're trying to figure out how to beat FICO or have accurate (but negative) information removed from your credit reports under false pretenses then do NOT buy this book because it's not for you. If you are ready to learn how to EARN better credit using lessons that will last a life time and can be handed down to your children and their children then this is the book for you.
   
   Enjoy!!
   
   John



3. This is an excellent book and is especially good for those of us who do not understand the world of finances very well. I took a class before this book and found the information to be contradictory to what the author has written. It is written in a matter of fact, truthful way. It's worth having.

5 comments about Real Estate Loopholes: Secrets of Successful Real Estate Investing.

1. I read this book before I read the Amazon reviews. I was shocked at some of the negative comments. My recommendation is to read all of the how-to real estate books you want. When you finally decide you're going to invest, buy this book. It will save you money and headaches. If nothing else it will give you a basic understanding of ownership options and tax benefits (loopholes) that you can then discuss with a lawyer and accountant. Know what you're getting in to before you make your first offer to buy. It is the only real estate book that I am 100% satisfied with. Good luck!



2. The concepts in the RichDad series book Rich Dad, Poor Dad are basic concepts. It was a book to introduce the reader that working hard your whole life is not the way to create real wealth. In Real Estate Loopholes, the concepts for investing in real estate are pretty much the same amount of detail as in RDPD. It's a short read intended to give the reader some surface level knowledge of real estate tax advantage and legal issues to avoid by setting up LPs and LLPs. By reading this book, I'm able to ask more intelligent questions for my real estate attorney.

   I'd say that it's a worthwhile read, but only if you are starting out in real estate investment and are going to be working with an attorney so you can ask follow up questions in forming your LLP that will be holding the real estate.




3. The authors of this book touch on many subjects, giving very little detail in any of them. The legal and accounting loopholes are very basic - and they keep referring you to other products and sites they've written/published - making this book one big commercial. In one area, when talking about the benefits of real estate investment, the fail to even mention costs associated with using equity, cash flow, repairs, etc. I am a new entrant to real estate investing, and would not recommend this book to anyone. It is no different than the get rich quick schemes you see on tv/internet.



4. I think that it is a good book for people who are just getting into real estate investing. It gives you information on many creative things that can be done. I learned alot and plan to use some of the suggestions and tools soon.



5. I've read a lot of the Rich Dad books, and many others on realestate investing. This one was, by far, the best. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is investing in realestate. There are critical points in this book that should be followed before setting up a strategy for buying property.

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate: A Step-by-step Plan to Protect Your Assets, Limit Your Taxes, and Ensure Your Wishes Are Fulfilled.

1. The Complete Guide To Planning Your Estate
   By Sandy Baker
   
   Rating: 5 stars
   
   Let's face it, no one wants to curl up next to the fireplace to read a book with a riveting title such as this, but I am sure glad I did! This book really made me think. I am an executor and have power of attorney for my parents estate. I now know there are many details about their estate that I need to keep up with to avoid the pitfalls of probate! Fortunately, my father had the foresight to establish a living trust. I now realize what a big favor he has done for not only me as executor, but for our whole family.
   
   This book was a real eye-opener about what can happen if you don't prepare. I was always one to think "I'm not rich, I really don't have that much to leave behind. So I don't need anything but maybe a simple will" How wrong I was! I understand now, that probate could really cause big financial problems for my children and or spouse!
   
   If you don't already have a legally binding estate plan; if you only have a simple will - or less, you must read this book. If you do have some estate planning in place you should read this book to make sure you have all the bases covered. No matter what your adult age, this guide will help you decide what needs to be put in place to make sure your estate is settled with the least amount of legal red-tape and the lowest amount of taxes due. It will explain in plain English what steps to take in planning and protecting your estate. The forms at the back of the book are extremely helpful to get you started. I will be using them right away.
   
   Initially, I thought it was over-kill that the author suggested hiring all those professionals; an accountant, estate planner, insurance agent and financial planner, but Ms. Baker convinced me otherwise. Her theme here is to plan for the future. Due to the legal mess one can fall into without proper planning, hiring these professionals is a real safety measure.
   
   I would recommend this book to anyone who owns property, credit cards, cars or any other valued assets. I would recommend this book to any adult who has living parents, who has a spouse, siblings, children or other close loved ones. It's a great planning tool and a guide to get you through the confusing maze of estate planning.
   
   By Edie Jewell



2. Many people think estate planning is complicated and is only necessary if there is a substantial estate to consider, but after going through the process courtesy of Sandy Baker's manual, I highly recommend this guide to planning your goals, protecting your family and for the preservation of your hard-earned assets. Let's face it, many of us still think divorce or death when the subject of estate planning comes up, and we may want to postpone what we feel to be a chore until a later date. I found Baker's text to be non-intimidating and instructive, beginning with the how-to's on choosing the right Attorney, Accountant and Insurance Agent, the intricacies of avoiding Probate, creating Trusts, and my favorite, lowering the Federal estate taxes. Baker's thorough examinaton lays bare a few myths I had, and covers every eventuality in dealing with the FAQ's of creating an ironclad will. Through presenting several case studies, the author makes the entire planning process as simple as ABC, and a much more pleasant exercise than I had expected!



3. Let's face it, no one likes to think about dying. But, the harsh reality is that we're all going to go sometime, so doesn't it make sense to leave your affairs in order? Sandy Baker's comprehensive guide offers invaluable advice for avoiding some of the pitfalls of estate planning. Whether you have a healthy portfolio of stocks and bonds or just want to make sure that your favorite cousin gets your hunting rifle, pick up a copy of this book.
   
   Baker's book provides clear explanations of wills, living wills, trusts, as well as suggestions on who to consult for professional help when you're planning your estate. More than half of the adults in America today haven't made the necessary plans to provide for their loved ones, which means the government can step in and assume control of their assets. Don't assume that a hand-written, or holographic, will be accepted, either, because they are not recognized as legal documents in every state. In addition, Baker offers sound advice on establishing clear goals to protect your assets, and deciding how you want them dispersed, as well as provision for everything from paying taxes to selecting trustees to handle funds for minors.
   
   The guide discusses the pros and cons of the probate process, which can sometimes take at least one year to complete. While Baker does lean a little heavily in favor of insurances, something not every person can easily afford these days, she closes her book with a useful glossary that clearly explains legal terms related to the estate-planning process. Baker will help you to make sure that your heirs get everything to which they are entitled.



4. If you are an adult, this book is relevant to you regardless of what your stage in life is; it is important to have proper estate planning in place. This book is an excellent source of information on what goes into estate planning, providing both an excellent overview and attention to a myriad of specific circumstances. Ms. Baker describes the types of professional help available in estate planning and how to evaluate credentials. This book even provides time tables involved in the length of time to make these plans.
   
   The reader of this book will be provided information regarding real estate, debt, taxes, and how divorce affects estate distribution. This book can help you determine what steps to take in order to avoid probate, how different types of insurance are handled, and how to make sure that wills and living trusts are enforced.
   
   There are several case studies throughout this book, which provide helpful insight into the necessity for proper estate planning.



5. Estate planning isn't exactly a topic for leisure reading; cracking any book on the subject, one expects, will mean trudging through dry and excruciating legalese.
   
   Fortunately, The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate makes the subject far less painful. A practical, usable guide for the layperson, The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate breaks the topic down into easily digestible pieces. Part readable narrative, part reference book, the guide covers estate planning considerations from the most basic (what is an estate? What are you worth?) to the more complex (various legal statutes, for example, and understanding estate taxes).
   
   Practical advice includes how to select your key supporting players (attorney, financial planner, accountant, insurance agent) and how to plan for long-term care, retirement, and unexpected events like divorce and disability.
   
   Compact easy-to-read case studies put the concepts into real-life context, and the inclusion of a handy glossary of common estate terminology and an appendix containing useful, reproducible forms including a living will and power of attorney, make The Complete Guide to Planning Your Estate an asset to any home library.