THE JOURNEY TO WEALTH

In this debut investment manual, an experienced financial planner offers practical strategies for negotiating the stock market and building wealth.

Novice investors are frequently intimidated by the confusing world of stocks and bonds. This fear comes partly from a lack of familiarity with complex financial processes and institutions and partly from the fact that the stakes are so high for investors risking their hard-earned savings in a market that seems precarious and unpredictable. Demmert attempts to unravel this intricate web in a methodical and well-organized narrative that looks almost like a textbook for Stock Market 101. Beginning with “Fundamentals of Investing,” he defines basic terms, provides a brief and intriguing history of domestic and international financial crises, and supplies insights into “investor psychology.” In the hands of a less engaging narrator, this all might be pretty dull and overwhelming stuff, but the author uses a number of devices to effectively enliven his presentation. Interspersed among instructive sections—such as “How Money Grows,” “Investing Is a Competitive Sport,” and “Using Charts, Beta, and Science to Figure Out the Stop Loss Price”—are evocative graphics and informative charts and tables. He also sprinkles in provocative quotes from such diverse (and sometimes unlikely) experts on financial values as Gandhi, Ronald Reagan, and Yogi Berra. Throughout this detailed and instructive book, Demmert crystallizes his advice into 18 principles, clearly set off in boxes for easy reference. At the end, he delivers a seven-part recap of his investment tactics. In places, the book feels overformatted, and all the inserts make some pages confusing to follow. But the narrative is generally remarkably compelling. It is not a work for readers looking for a quick “idiot’s” guide but should be perfect for those seeking a more in-depth understanding of global financial forces and practical investment choices and strategies.

A comprehensive and accessible guide to understanding financial options and the stock market by an author who describes himself as “passionate about successful investing."