Crash Profits: Make Money When Stocks Sink and Soar

by Martin D. Weiss

Smart investing strategies from bestselling author and America's consumer advocate for financial safety Filled with against-the-grain attitude and seasoned market wisdom, Crash Profits explains not only how to survive, but how to make money before, during, and after a crash. Using real examples fresh from the financial pages, Weiss delineates the full range of risks facing the average American. He shows readers how to see through the lies that Wall...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471429988
• ISBN13: 9780471429982
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The title says it all

Given the way the economy is going, this book is a must read. There is a possibility that there will be a stock market crash in the near future: given the unfolding of the subprime mortgage crisis and untold numbers of foreclosures; banks that dabbled in hedge funds and subprime mortgages beginning to feel the pinch; the dollar spiralling downward; and the price of oil skyrocketing. Somewhere in all of this, one gets a distinct feeling of instability, and that is where Weiss's book comes in. His knowledge of the investing environment is refreshing and at the same time disturbing. He equips the average investor with knowledge that will help him/her in the coming difficult times. This is not a light read, yet the way he weaves story lines through the book, it places the reader comfortably into the investing environment. He gives worst-case scenarios and asks hard questions that makes the reader think. He also reveals astute insight and provides solutions to problems that help the reader feel equipped to tackle the upcoming turmoil in our economy. The most valuable parts of the book (I think) are where he mentions that he rates bank and brokerage firms and includes the websites. I felt as if I was reading the consumer report for banks! We actually visited a library and looked up Weiss's bank ratings books there. They rate banks on a quarterly basis, and include a thorough list of banks in every state, their rating and safety (some banks even get A+). We checked out the banks with the higher ratings in our state. This book provides peace of mind to the average investor trying to save and invest for the future when the economy looks dismally bleak.

Nutty Nineties Explained

I have spent literally thousands of hours over the last several years attempting to understand the nutty nineties stock market bubble, excess credit creation, global economic conditions, Federal Reserve policy implications, deflation/inflation, Austrian School of Economics and investment strategies in a post bubble world. I have no doubt that Dr. Weiss's book would have drastically shortened my learning curve! Most financial publications are written in academic or industry lingo making them hard to digest for a novice, and just plain difficult to read. Dr. Weiss presents the clearest most simple explanation for many facets of our previous stock market boom and the potential aftermath of these excesses, while most other books over complicate the subject. Dr. Weiss combines fictional tales with facts to weave a boom and bust tapestry that all but the blind can see. I thought so highly of this book, I purchased extra copies for family friends who are complete novices, as a way of introducing them into our current investment climate.I do not necessarily agree with all of Dr. Weiss's positions, I strongly recommend this easy to read and comprehend book for the novice and market maven alike.

Well-written description of bearish scenario

By combining fiction with non-fiction, Dr. Weiss' had made his extremely bearish outlook a page turner. Advice on protecting yourself from loss during such a crisis is coupled with stratgies allowing you to prosper.By now, it is common knowledge that many in the financial community gave bad advice to public investors with the sole purpose of lining their own pockets. Weiss' description of those abuses is worth the retelling, as it offers an additional warning to all of us.Whether you agree with his outlook or not, there is much to be gained from reading this book. His suggestions on keeping your assets in the safest banks, money market funds and brokers is sound advice for everyone. Weiss provides lists of those safer institutions.

Plain simple language, just the facts

This book is the BEST one you'll find that could be "Bubble Economy 101" or "Bear Markets for Dummies". If you've felt betrayed and blindsided by the stock market declines since 2000; if you have ever felt the least bit intimidated by the economists, the Wall Street pros, and the guests on financial TV and assumed they know more than you do; if you have been arguing with yourself over whether to sell your stocks; if you have been debating over whether to buy a house; if you have wondered if the yields on corporate or muni bonds are a good deal; if you've ever wondered how our economy has gotten itself into the fix it is in; if you've looked around and felt like we aren't "bouncing back" and wondered why; READ THIS BOOK!The book is practically worth it alone for the discussion of the government bond market, and why confidence MUST be maintained in it.The author has a "followup" website at www.crashprofits.net.

Amazing Story Based On Realistic Probabilities & History

We retired exactly one year ago, and again, last year we made money from our financial assets - not much, but it beats many of our friends and associates. Our success is attributable to two basic sources, John Mauldin's free weekly newsletter (Millennium Wave Online) and Dr. Weiss' previous book, "The Ultimate Safe Money Guide". Between these two intellectual perspectives of the dynamics of our economic and political environments, my wife and I walk away with a stronger gut feel for why, how and where to protect our nest egg.Dr. Weiss' new book is like reading one of the "Left Behind" series - but, his is a story developed around plausible outcomes of world events that seem to be developing as we speak.The book enlightens the reader about the atmosphere of greed and corruption surrounding specific corporations, especially the analysts, brokerage firms and institutions who colluded to implement their strategies. The book gives you a "heads up" to where to park your assets. It also gives you an awareness of the necessity to filter information that you are exposed to when making financial decisions. For example, we watch CNN's L. Dobbs Report every day, but we also know that a major brokerage firm sponsors the show, thus we filter accordingly.In summary, Dr. Weiss' two books mentioned above are "must reads" especially for those of you near or in retirement.