Comments on: 25 Essential Books About Money: Financial Wisdom from Your Public Library

By: Wisdom Broker

Wisdom Broker — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:14:26 +0000

Good recommendations!

I’d also recommend Schroeder’s “The Snowball,” the new biography of Warren Buffett. Read the early chapters on his life between the ages of 5 and 18. A great model of how to accumulate money in those early years, when we have very little expenses.

Also among new books: Enjoy Your Money! How to Make It, Save It, Invest It and Give It, by J. Steve Miller. Well researched and documented, but presented in an entertaining story form. Kind of a “Wealthy Barber” for a new generation, but covering a wider range of personal finance. A film producer called it “the money book for people who hate money books.” You can find reviews on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Enjoy-Your-Money-Make-Invest/dp/098187567X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267033604&sr=8-1

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By: DJG

DJG — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:33:50 +0000

I found this list to be of great use, appreciate it JD. Also, I know some people have already mentioned this before but two books I think that are great reads are ‘The Wealthy Barber’ and ‘The Millionaire Next Door.’

I look forward to reading some more of these books on the list including ‘The Richest Man in Babylon’ and ‘Buffet: The Making of an American Capitalist.’

Great site and great blog!

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By: Tina B

Tina B — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:54:57 +0000

I was looking to see if you had ever reviewed the book “It’s not About the Money” by Brent Kessel. I found it at the library and am loving it so far. It looks beyond financial choices to why we make the choices we do.

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By: Nigel

Nigel — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:16:58 +0000

That link to the review of the secret on Amazon is hilarious. I think it’s the only success story from that book that I can really believe.

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By: Do You Dave Ramsey?

Do You Dave Ramsey? — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:18:24 +0000

Great list, thanks for sharing. Its cool to see where others are pulling value. I hope to check out some of these that I’ve not already visited.

Thanks!
Dave

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By: JM

JM — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:47:40 +0000

Did you know you can catalogue your books on http://www.librarything.com ?

I’m not affiliated with the website, but I thought it would be a great way to share your financial library with more people.

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By: Seth

Seth — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:59:48 +0000

I have to agree with Bret, The Richest Man in Babylon should be at the top of this list. It really helped me in my early twenties to start saving. I even recently created a post about this book because I believe it is an essential read for everyone.

Excellent list, too! I plan on printing this out and heading to the library this week to check some of these out.

Thanks

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By: shahrul azwad

shahrul azwad — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:46:16 +0000

Thanks! I have read some of the especially the essentials like Your Money Or Your Life and Dave Ramsey’s. Now, I will check the others.

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By: Sam

Sam — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:01:16 +0000

If you’d like to pursue the public library angle a little more, consider making a list of these books at WorldCat http://www.worldcat.org/ – it’s a site that shows the holdings of thousands of libraries. When you look up a book or CD or whatever there, you can see if nearby libraries own it, and connect directly to their library catalogs.
Check it out – it’d be a great way to link your readers to libraries! (I am not an employee of WorldCat, BTW, but I am a librarian) Great article and list!

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By: Don

Don — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:51:08 +0000

The Wealthy Barber is an excellent personal finance book, which I believe you have reviewed.

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By: Jaime Gibbs

Jaime Gibbs — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:56:50 +0000

Ooooh, there’s ONE more I MUST add to your list: “Your Money Map” by Howard Dayton. It’s written from a biblical perspective, and has a great map or step-by-step plan for eliminating your debt and being able to give more. LOVE IT!!!!

I’ve also read about half of the books on your list, and think that you are right on. The Millionaire Next Door rocked my world, and I especially enjoy anything by Dave Ramsey or Elizabeth Warren. Warren also has a couple beneficial videos posted to YouTube.

I really enjoy your blog. Thanks for sharing your updated list!

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By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 01:44:23 +0000

I really liked “The Average Family’s Guide to Financial Freedom How You can Save a Small Fortune on a Modest Income.” I appreciated so much about the book and it allowed me to look at things with fresh eyes. It’s on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Average-Familys-Financial-Freedom-Fortune/dp/0471352284

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By: Finance Girl

Finance Girl — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:18:37 +0000

I also like “Debt Free by 30.”

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By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:11:04 +0000

I just thought it was funny that even though you said The Secret was the worst personal finance book, you still had an Amazon affiliate link to the book in the event anyone bought it!

Thanks for the list and info. Keep up the good work!

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By: Rainerd

Rainerd — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:55:44 +0000

The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb. This is really a book about the nature of knowledge with a special focus on the financial world. It really gets at the limits of your knowledge and how that should impact your worldview, in particular your financial worldview. Not a lot of practical advice, but the change in thinking is profound.

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By: Ann@livingmylifedebtfree

Ann@livingmylifedebtfree — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:01:20 +0000

This is a really great list, I think all of these books have something to offer. I also like Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach. I agree that The Secret is just about keeping a positive attitude. The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer is a better read.

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By: Mike Younkman

Mike Younkman — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:20:50 +0000

I’d recommend a few of Jeremy Siegel’s books as well. You can pick up The Future for Investors: Why the Tried and True Overcome the Bold and the New (written in 2005) for less than $1 on Amazon’s used book list. I have it and it’s certainly relevant. His other series of Stocks for the Long Run tends to be used for college text books, so the used price never gets too low.

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By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:13:18 +0000

Thanks for the comprehensive list. And I agree with #30 Broadcast Thoughts “wishful thinking without taking action directed at achieving your wish is not a good idea.” Well said.
I think the only thing I took away from “The Secret” was that you should have a positive attitude…(but they definitely forgot the next part)…when you begin to act. A positive attitude will help you persevere in working towards your goals even when it is difficult.
Also, to clarify, is this your list of 25 favorites after the two perennial favorites “The Richest Man in Babylon” and “The Wealthy Barber”?
Personally, I enjoyed the work of George S. Clason and he is always my first recommendation.

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By: Broadcast Thoughts

Broadcast Thoughts — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:23:31 +0000

@ Gerard #24,

I’ve never read the secret, the quoted blurb just reminded me of Napolean Hill’s piece. Which I did enjoy. I just caution that wishful thinking without taking action directed at achieving your wish is not a good idea.

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By: Bret

Bret — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:44:41 +0000

The Richest Man in Babylon should be near the top of any list of personal finance books. It’s a must-read classic.

I also like The Wealthy Barber and think it may be more useful than some of the other books on your list.

It’s interesting that you mentioned these books, but didn’t include them.

Thanks for providing the list.

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By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 18:28:07 +0000

I like to visit this website. It is great for people who have limited knowledge about finances and investing. It’s pretty much this…don’t spend more than you have…and understand the simple concept of compounding interest. If you are a person that has a brain, then you can understand this and apply it easily. The hard part is learning and understanding advanced investment techniques that will provide a much higher rate of return while reducing your amount of risk. And there are ways to do this.

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By: Starving Artist

Starving Artist — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:48:21 +0000

Ari Brouillette wrote one of the funniest reviews on Amazon for “The Secret.” Read the review, skip the book:

http://www.amazon.com/review/R2X2TB3S4O5I60/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm

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By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:32:48 +0000

The ones that are constantly referred to as solid investment pieces are “One Up on Wall Street” by Peter Lynch and “The Intelligent Investor” by Benjamin Graham. I still need to read them, but they’ve been heralded as some of the best investment books. Period.

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By: Kristia@FamilyBalanceSheet

Kristia@FamilyBalanceSheet — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:25:45 +0000

I found “Saving for retirement without living like a pauper or winning the lottery” by Gail MarksJarvis very easy to read and helpful.

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By: Gerard

Gerard — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:09:08 +0000

@Broadcast Thoughts (#9): You wrote “Your blurb on “The Secret” reminds me of “Think and Grow Rich” by Napolean Hill written towards the end of the Great Depression.”

While Napoleon Hill did, at times, take his mastermind groups a little far at times and it seemed ‘mystical,’ in no way can you compare the classic ‘Think And Grow Rich’ with ‘The Secret’. No way, no how. Read it again.

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By: Moneyblogga

Moneyblogga — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:33:02 +0000

I’m a Larry Winget fan currently reading ‘Success is your own damn fault’. His A&E TV show Big Spender was a big impetus behind my motivation to change my awful spending habits and ditch my money problems.

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By: Carlyle

Carlyle — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:30:06 +0000

One of the my favorite books on investing, “The New Coffeehouse Investor,” was written by one of your recent guests, Bill Schultheis.

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By: Jane Doe

Jane Doe — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:19:51 +0000

Twenty-five books is way too many.
Please tell us you favorite four.
Thanks.

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By: Todd @ The Personal Finance Playbook

Todd @ The Personal Finance Playbook — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:26:20 +0000

For the most part, most personal finance books say the same things in different ways. If you’re strictly interested in personal finance, I think David Bach’s books are a good overview of the basics. If you’re in big financial trouble and need to dig your way out, Ramsey’s books might be better for you.

If you’re interested in investing, I would read Joel Greenblatt’s books or Seth Klarman’s book if you can get a copy. The Bogle books are great, too, and present convincing data that index funds are the way to go. Of course, at some point you have to read The Intelligent Investor and Security Analysis. Both can be dry…but they’re the original playbook for value investing.

I loved the Lowenstein biography on Buffett. From and entertainment perspective, that’s one of my favorite books I’ve read in a long time. Good luck.

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By: Ben

Ben — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:24:07 +0000

how freaky, i just randomly googled to your old list of books yesterday for the first time (i am a regular reader of this site… but I was looking for a list of books and this site happened to be ranked #1 in google for that as well.

Then, today, you post a new list, 2 years later! O_o

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