Bernard Baruch (1870 – 1965) published his memoirs, My Own Story, in 1957. I was pleasantly surprised by his account of his career on Wall Street, learning that he was not so much a speculator — which then, and now, carries a negative connotation — but clearly a very astute investor. [Click here to read my review.]
Classic, timeless Martin Whitman — an unwavering value investor. Read The Aggressive Conservative Investor before reading his Value Investing: A Balanced Approach. (See review link of the latter below; click here to read my review of Aggressive Conservative.)
Benjamin Graham: The Memoirs of the Dean of Wall Street, is a refreshingly candid story of the man (1894 – 1976) most investors associate with his value investing classic, Security Analysis. His memoirs are not to be read for takeaways to improve one’s investing methods. Rather, his memoirs serve as the story behind the composition of a truly brilliant, multi-talented man, who with fortuitous timing uncovered an opportunity in mis-priced securities that led to a highly successful career in investing. [Click here to read my review.]
Corporate Valuation for Portfolio Investment: Analyzing Assets, Earnings, Cash Flow, Stock Price, Governance, and Special Situations (2010, Bloomberg Press), is an ambitious effort by coauthors Robert A.G. Monks, a renowned shareholder rights activist, and Alexandra Reed Lajoux, an M&A expert. They cover a lot of ground in around 540 pages. The book was intended primarily for institutional investors, but is certainly accessible to students of finance, and individual investors stand to gain from a lot the material as well. [Click here to read my review.]
“Value Investing: A Balanced Approach” (1999) — don’t let the date of publication fool you into thinking Martin Whitman’s (Third Avenue Management) approach is dated. In his interviews over the past few years one hears the same terms and mindset as described in the book. Whitman distinguishes between true value investing and what he calls OPMIs. This book is a treasure for devoted value investors. [Click here to read my review.]
Graham & Dodd’s classic, Security Analysis: Principles and Technique, is an invaluable reference for investors and analysts. I reviewed the fourth edition, which was published in 1962. The timing of their fourth installment following the massive bull market of the 1950s provides a timeless look at the challenges value investors face. Security Analysis is required reading. [Click here to read my review.]
Steven Rattner’s Overhaul: An Insider’s Account of the Obama Administration’s Emergency Rescue of the Auto Industry will not disappoint readers with its poignantly detailed narration of the harrowing events surrounding the fate of two of the Big 3 U.S. automakers. [Click here to read my review.]
John Nyaradi’s Super Sectors: How to Outsmart the Market Using Sector Rotation and ETFs challenges the conventional wisdom of buy-and-hold while making a compelling case for active investment management. [Click here to read my review; here to see Q&A follow-up.]
Christopher Dillon’s Landed: The guide to buying property in Japan, is a must-read, not just for those considering buying a property in Japan, but also for individuals who are already homeowners, those who may be interested in refinancing, and there’s even something to be learned by long-term residents who are renting. In the very least, Landed is a ready-reference for the aforementioned individuals, and for investors who stand to gain from a better understanding of how real estate works in Japan. [Click here to read my review.]
Enzio von Pfeil, the author of Trade Myths: Globalization has left trade balances behind
