Rocking Wall Street: Four Powerful Strategies That Will Shake Up the Way You Invest, Build Your Wealth and Give You Your Life Back

by Gary Marks and John Mauldin

Book Overview

Praise for Rocking Wall Street

". . . the only four investment strategies you will ever need. . . I dare anyone to read this book and not wake up to the realities of Wall Street, and change their investing habits on the spot."
--Steve Trager Watson Retired CEO and CIO of the hedge fund Watson Investment Partners, LP

"A true Renaissance man and teacher, Gary Marks adeptly explores four investment strategies that can achieve...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0470124873
• ISBN13: 9780470124871
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Another Viewpoint

I'm not a high net worth investor but unlike one of the other reviewers I did find this book incredibly helpful even though I am by no means a super rich, or "qualified" investor. The book is not all about hedge funds by any stretch of the imagination. Most of the book is about teaching us how NOT to get ripped off inside the investment casino, how to avoid getting addicted to media hype about a stock, or about buying Uranium, or whatever. More importantly, it's about how to find a sense of integrity and peace of mind in the investment game, and about money, and about material wealth. Marks asks us, "What would actually make you feel rich?" The answer he suggests is most definitely not about investing in hedge funds. Most stock brokers will hate this book, I could easily imagine that. A lot of people will think this book is putting down traditional investing, because, it is. In that way it will be very controversial. Investors wedded to their mutual funds will only understand this book after the next bear market. The risks they are taking are very likely far higher than they have been led to believe. As far as that same reviewer saying this book is hype for hedge funds, I don't get it. Mr. Marks spends a long time warning readers about the dark side of hedge funds, as well as the markets. Then he gives us pragmatic solutions to invest without gambling on a day to day or month to month basis. There are answers for non-qualified (not rich) investors too. But the answers are not gimmicky. They are real and sober. They are not about "get rich quick." They are about finding a way out of the stress and mental anguish investing inevitably leaves you with, unless you know what you are doing and coming from a truly realistic place. Did that reviewer actually read the entire book? Or just look at one of the ten chapters? I wish I had read a book like this before the last bear market. But I'm at least glad I read it before the next one.

Not Hype! Great book & more...

I've never written a review before, but I read the Gary Marks book, and I just have to say that the review below that only gave it three stars just isn't getting it right. This book is not simply about hedge funds or how great they are. In fact, the author spends a part of the book telling us why only a small percentage of the hedge funds out there are any good. Most of the book isn't about hedge funds at all. It's about exposing the traps that stock brokers and financial advisors and the financial shows on TV set for us all -- by "us" I mean investors that aren't rich but would like to be some day. This author gives the rich as well as the "yet to be rich" very clear and logical advice about how to invest at every stage of wealth accumulation. But some of the book is also about how to deal with the money we do have, how we can come to enjoy it fully. There is a way this book connected me to a deeper place than any financial book I have ever read before, while also teaching me about investing in a very real and detailed way that will help me be a safer and better investor. I want to thank the author for writing a book that is truly radical and courageous, and doesn't pander to stock brokers, or mutual fund firms, or the media, or people looking for some magical scheme to get rich overnight. Because the three star reviewer below should know, if he really did read the book, that's the quickest way to lose all your money. AND, I also went to Gary Marks' music web site and found --- really great songs! [...]. Once you read his lyrics you'll know he's not just some hedge fund CEO with rich friends. His songs and his book have a lot in common -- a lot of wisdom and a lot of heart. I'm very glad I read this book.

This book ROCKS!

I am a successful, grateful, High Net Worth Investor with an MBA in Finance, etc. After reviewing an advance copy of this book I am blown away! I have learned over time how to make great returns on my money and keep it safe during these crazy times. Gary Marks is right on. Everyone would greatly gain from reading Rocking Wall Street and by following it's guidelines. Be the first on your block to keep your money and make it grow... and show them how smart you are by suggesting a book that is sure to be on 2007's New York Times Best Seller list. Can you tell I like the principles in this book? Was I too subtle? :)

Finally a book that tells it like it is and gives us solid solutions

When I read Rocking Wall Street it had me laughing out loud, because finally someone spoke the truth about the massive risks of following the advice of brokers and media experts. The fact is you simply can't buy and hold your way through the decades unless market valuations are at historically low levels - the last time that happened was the mid-1970's. Before that, the 1930's and 40's. Not even Warren Buffet buys and holds and just walks away. . . .You can learn how to make money safely, and keep the profits, and have a great time reading about how. Gary Marks is a true crusader for the average investor. And a great story teller. No one should be playing casino games with their retirement money. It's easy to see who will win the next time a bear market rolls around. Finally a book that tells it like it is and gives us solid solutions. . .

A Guide to Financial and Spiritual Wealth

Gary Marks wonderful new book really opened my eyes to the possibility of creating personal wealth while maintaining a sense of perspective in my life. The idea that I own my money and that it doesn't own me is an essential understanding if one is to create a life of true abundance. I urge everyone who wants real, as opposed to artifical, prosperity to read this book.