Amazon.co.uk Review
Invoking the words and spirit of Thomas Paine, investor-turned-historian John Bogle concedes that ideas for revamping the mutual-fund industry are perhaps "not yet sufficiently fashionable to them general favor." But despite likening the "ills and injustices suffered by mutual fund investors" to those "our forebears suffered under English tyranny," Bogle--founder of the Vanguard Group-- makes a strong case for index funds with this exhaustive study of investing.
He begins with primer-like essays on investment strategy, championing mutual funds for their inherent investment value, and then grinding each point home with a bevy of graphs, charts, entertaining anecdotes, and common sense. He repeatedly stresses time as a basic tenet for investing, listing these simple rules: "Time is your friend"; "Impulse is your enemy"; "Stay the course." And then he proceeds to blast fund managers, who have become marketers rather than managers.
The trade-off between the profits that accrue to fund shareholders and the profits that accrue to the fund management companies seems subject to no effective independent watchdog or balance wheel, despite the fact that the shareholders actually own the mutual funds.It's an interesting concept: smart, reasoned investors can all but secure their financial future, but the system itself, run unchecked by fund managers, needs a major overhaul. And considering the amount of reasoned, historically based support he includes, readers will have a hard time finding fault with the sometimes controversial Bogle. In equal parts instructional and crusade, Common Sense on Mutual Funds deserves the attention it's likely to receive. Recommended. --Rob McDonald, Amazon.com --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
"...provides good basics on how to think about mutual fund investing..." (Wall Street Journal, August 7, 2006
"...A solid advisor in the world of charlatans, false prophets and hysterics and can be recommended to everyone." (Financial Times (Germany), 27th February 2001)
"Bogle has written an incredibly insightful and impassioned study of the mutual funds industry. The study is lucid, invigorating and well informed." (Investment Adviser, 18th December 2000)
Review
"...provides good basics on how to think about mutual fund investing..." (Wall Street Journal, August 7, 2006)
"...A solid advisor in the world of charlatans, false prophets and hysterics and can be recommended to everyone." (Financial Times (Germany), 27th February 2001)
Paul A. Samuelson, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Economics
"Buffett cannot teach you or me how to become a Warren Buffett. Bogle's reasoned precepts can enable a few million of us savers to become in twenty years the envy of our suburban neighbors -- while at the same time we have slept well in these eventful times." --Paul A. Samuelson, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Economics
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
James J. Cramer, Money manager and senior columnist for The Street.com
"After a lifetime of picking stocks, I have to admit that Bogle's arguments in favor of the index fund has me thinking of joining him rather than trying to beat him. Bogle's wisdom and his commonsense way of explaining things makes this book indispensable reading for anyone trying to figure out how to invest in this crazy stock market."--James J. Cramer, Money manager and senior columnist for TheStreet.com
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Martin L. Leibowitz, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, TIAA-CREF
"Written in his characteristic forthright and visionary style, Jack Bogle's new book penetrates the myths and jargon to shed a powerful light on the central issues that confront every investor, no matter what their level of experience or sophistication." --Martin L. Leibowitz, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, TIAA-CREF
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Byron R. Wien, Chief U.S. Investment Strategist, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
"Jack Bogle is one of the great pioneer/visionaries of the investment business. In this book he shares his knowledge, experience, and judgement to enable us to become better investors. The final philosophical chapters provide insights that may help some of us become better people." --Byron R. Wien, Chief U.S. Investment Strategist, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Hon. William E. Simon, Former Secretary of the Treasury
"Superior in intellect, character, and performance, the investment genius who defied conventional wisdom and proved his critics wrong gives readers a wealth of practical advice." --Hon. William E. Simon, Former Secretary of the Treasury
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
Investment Adviser, 18th December 2000
"Bogle has written an incredibly insightful and impassioned study of the mutual funds industry. The study is lucid, invigorating and well informed."
Product Description
NATIONAL BESTSELLER!
"Cogent, honest, and hard–hitting–a must read for every investor." –Warren E. Buffett
Praise for Common Sense on Mutual Funds
"Invoking both Thomas Paine and Benjamin Graham, Jack Bogle outlines a supremely logical plan not only to better investors′ returns, but to improve the whole fund industry. This isn′t just the best book yet by Bogle, it may well be the best book ever on mutual funds." –DON PHILLIPS, President & CEO, Morningstar, Inc.
"Buffett cannot teach you or me how to become a Warren Buffett. Bogle′s reasoned precepts can enable a few million of us savers to become in twenty years the envy of our suburban neighbors–while at the same time we have slept well in these eventful times."–PAUL A. SAMUELSON, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Economics
"After a lifetime of picking stocks, I have to admit that Bogle′s arguments in favor of the index fund have me thinking of joining him rather than trying to beat him. Bogle′s wisdom and his commonsense way of explaining things make this book indispensable reading for anyone trying to figure out how to invest in this crazy stock market."–JAMES J. CRAMER, Money Manager and Senior Columnist for TheStreet.com
"Written in his characteristic forthright and visionary style, Bogle penetrates the myths and jargon to shed a powerful light on the central issues that confront every investor, no matter what their level of experience or sophistication." –MARTIN L. LEIBOWITZ, Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, TIAA–CREF
"Jack Bogle is one of the great pioneer/visionaries of the investment business. In this book, he shares his knowledge, experience, and judgment to enable us to become better investors. The final philosophical chapters provide insights that may help some of us become better people." –BYRON R. WIEN, Chief U.S. Investment Strategist Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
"Cogent, honest, and hard–hitting–a must read for every investor." –Warren E. Buffett
Praise for Common Sense on Mutual Funds
"Invoking both Thomas Paine and Benjamin Graham, Jack Bogle outlines a supremely logical plan not only to better investors′ returns, but to improve the whole fund industry. This isn′t just the best book yet by Bogle, it may well be the best book ever on mutual funds." –DON PHILLIPS, President & CEO, Morningstar, Inc.
"Buffett cannot teach you or me how to become a Warren Buffett. Bogle′s reasoned precepts can enable a few million of us savers to become in twenty years the envy of our suburban neighbors–while at the same time we have slept well in these eventful times."–PAUL A. SAMUELSON, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Economics
"After a lifetime of picking stocks, I have to admit that Bogle′s arguments in favor of the index fund have me thinking of joining him rather than trying to beat him. Bogle′s wisdom and his commonsense way of explaining things make this book indispensable reading for anyone trying to figure out how to invest in this crazy stock market."–JAMES J. CRAMER, Money Manager and Senior Columnist for TheStreet.com
"Written in his characteristic forthright and visionary style, Bogle penetrates the myths and jargon to shed a powerful light on the central issues that confront every investor, no matter what their level of experience or sophistication." –MARTIN L. LEIBOWITZ, Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, TIAA–CREF
"Jack Bogle is one of the great pioneer/visionaries of the investment business. In this book, he shares his knowledge, experience, and judgment to enable us to become better investors. The final philosophical chapters provide insights that may help some of us become better people." –BYRON R. WIEN, Chief U.S. Investment Strategist Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
From the Back Cover
NATIONAL BESTSELLER!
"Cogent, honest, and hard–hitting–a must read for every investor." –Warren E. Buffett
Praise for Common Sense on Mutual Funds
"Invoking both Thomas Paine and Benjamin Graham, Jack Bogle outlines a supremely logical plan not only to better investors′ returns, but to improve the whole fund industry. This isn′t just the best book yet by Bogle, it may well be the best book ever on mutual funds." –DON PHILLIPS, President & CEO, Morningstar, Inc.
"Buffett cannot teach you or me how to become a Warren Buffett. Bogle′s reasoned precepts can enable a few million of us savers to become in twenty years the envy of our suburban neighbors–while at the same time we have slept well in these eventful times."–PAUL A. SAMUELSON, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Economics
"After a lifetime of picking stocks, I have to admit that Bogle′s arguments in favor of the index fund have me thinking of joining him rather than trying to beat him. Bogle′s wisdom and his commonsense way of explaining things make this book indispensable reading for anyone trying to figure out how to invest in this crazy stock market."–JAMES J. CRAMER, Money Manager and Senior Columnist for TheStreet.com
"Written in his characteristic forthright and visionary style, Bogle penetrates the myths and jargon to shed a powerful light on the central issues that confront every investor, no matter what their level of experience or sophistication." –MARTIN L. LEIBOWITZ, Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, TIAA–CREF
"Jack Bogle is one of the great pioneer/visionaries of the investment business. In this book, he shares his knowledge, experience, and judgment to enable us to become better investors. The final philosophical chapters provide insights that may help some of us become better people." –BYRON R. WIEN, Chief U.S. Investment Strategist Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
"Cogent, honest, and hard–hitting–a must read for every investor." –Warren E. Buffett
Praise for Common Sense on Mutual Funds
"Invoking both Thomas Paine and Benjamin Graham, Jack Bogle outlines a supremely logical plan not only to better investors′ returns, but to improve the whole fund industry. This isn′t just the best book yet by Bogle, it may well be the best book ever on mutual funds." –DON PHILLIPS, President & CEO, Morningstar, Inc.
"Buffett cannot teach you or me how to become a Warren Buffett. Bogle′s reasoned precepts can enable a few million of us savers to become in twenty years the envy of our suburban neighbors–while at the same time we have slept well in these eventful times."–PAUL A. SAMUELSON, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Economics
"After a lifetime of picking stocks, I have to admit that Bogle′s arguments in favor of the index fund have me thinking of joining him rather than trying to beat him. Bogle′s wisdom and his commonsense way of explaining things make this book indispensable reading for anyone trying to figure out how to invest in this crazy stock market."–JAMES J. CRAMER, Money Manager and Senior Columnist for TheStreet.com
"Written in his characteristic forthright and visionary style, Bogle penetrates the myths and jargon to shed a powerful light on the central issues that confront every investor, no matter what their level of experience or sophistication." –MARTIN L. LEIBOWITZ, Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer, TIAA–CREF
"Jack Bogle is one of the great pioneer/visionaries of the investment business. In this book, he shares his knowledge, experience, and judgment to enable us to become better investors. The final philosophical chapters provide insights that may help some of us become better people." –BYRON R. WIEN, Chief U.S. Investment Strategist Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
About the Author
JOHN C. BOGLE is the founder and former Chief Executive of The Vanguard Group, Inc., the world′s largest no–load mutual fund group, with more than 12 million shareholders and $500 billion in assets. He has studied mutual funds in depth since 1949, when he began the research for his senior thesis at Princeton University before joining the industry in 1951. In 1998, he received the Distinguished Service Award of the Association for Investment Management and Research. Early in 1999, his alma mater, Princeton University, presented him with its coveted Woodrow Wilson Award, exemplifying "Princeton in the Nation′s Service." Later in 1999, he was identified as one of America′s four financial "giants of the twentieth century" by Fortune magazine. Bogle is the author of the bestselling book, Bogle on Mutual Funds: New Perspectives for the Intelligent Investor, as well as numerous articles on investing.
