My investment education began in my late teen years. I subscribed to the WSJ sent away for the Forbes Stock Market Course. The internet seems to be killing the book, which ought to be central to the investor’s continuing education. Some favorites:
Myriads of books try to capitalized on Warren Buffett’s name. Pick one of the two best:
- Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist by Roger Lowenstein
- Of Permanent Value: The Story of Warren Buffett, Abridged Edition by Andrew Kilpatrick
Classics:
- Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits by Philip A. Fisher
- The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham, especially chapters 8 and 20.
- In the hunt for big game, I have always thought Super Stocks by Ken Fisher was the standard bearer.
- The Battle For Investment Survival by Gerald M. Loeb defines classic.
- Reminiscences of a Stock Operator is loved by all market junkies.
- The Money Masters by John Train is simple and elegant.
Old school historical: Fifty Years in Wall Street by Henry Clews
The Bear Book: Survive and Profit in Ferocious Markets by John Rothchild. Looks like you’ll have to buy this one used or with a goofy cover. But it is excellent.
Confessions of a Street Addict by Jim Cramer was actually fantastic.
The economic and history student could start with Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt and A Splendid Exchange by William J. Bernstein.
Purchasing the shares of a fantastic business for a modest prices is central to investing. You know, the business which grows by 30% a year for a decade or has a long term competitive advantage. So I’m a sucker for Built from Scratch and The King of Cash type books.
My bookshelves are full but this should be a good start. Perhaps next time we’ll look at books with a speculative bent.
Disclosure: I receive a few pennies if you purchase a book through the link.