Review: The Gone Fishin' Portfolio

Review: The Gone Fishin' Portfolio By Alexander Green


This book boils down to two or three simple pages.  These list the portfolios you would use to safely diversify your investments while limiting the effort involved.

Simplicity and Brevity best describe the concept.  I have seen similar recommendations before but not in such a precise and complete discussion with a logical reasoning for this to work.

If you want to just set money aside and let it work then this approach makes sense.

The author also wisely suggests that only you care about your money like you do.  It is true.  Brokers and investment advisors are there to serve their interests and not yours no matter how much they profess otherwise.

Having read so many other investment books in the past I feel jaded on the subject of personal finance. I still found many of his points refreshing and honest as if from a man with no need to worry about what stating such things might cost him in the industry.  He has all he needs according to him so this may explain it.

Regardless, I like the choices involved such as the Vanguard group index funds which have always been my favorites.  His reasoning makes perfect sense based on reducing fees and expenses which over time become a major part of your return.

4.5  Stars **** 1/2   Strongly Recommend

Review: The Survivor by Gregg Hurwitz

Book on CD 11 discs

I didn't know for sure how the story would end but I had an idea.  The hero was a sad character who in the midst of a suicide saves the day in a bank robbery.  From there he and his family become the target of Ukrainian mobsters.  It is a detailed story though sometimes not plausible still holds your interest when you suspend disbelief and just enjoy the storytelling.  I found myself addicted enough to the  story to binge on it by spending a whole day popping in another CD until it was finished.  It became as stressful as watching a season of 24 and to me that is a great compliment to the level of anticipation and suspense throughout.  I am actually getting a little stressed thinking about the story again.  It had every level of emotion you could find in a story making it well worth the read or listen.

Nice Job Mr. Hurwitz

***** 5 stars

Review: Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King

I have listened to this book twice on CD about a year apart.  It was good enough to do this.  King really makes the story work with perfected suspense and fear you feel for his characters.  At the same time you can't help but loathe the villain.  He takes extra care in cultivating the disgust you have for the villain named Brady.  You'll know what I'm talking about if you read the book or listen to it.

I have read, listened, or watched every book and story King has written and published as best as I can tell.  I always look for him in the library.  He is unique in many ways but his most important skill is that he tells stories really well.

Ideas on Writing

I like Altucher and I especially like his total honesty on subjects I don't think I could broach.

Here is something he published that is a an  interview of a writer.  I have to admit I don't know the writer but that only means I've found another one I have to learn about and read his work.

Check this out for some ideas on writing.   It's the transcript of a podcast and the link to the podcast appears on the page as well.  It is very interesting.

Review: Bill O’Reilly’s Legends and Lies: The Patriots

Review: Bill O’Reilly’s Legends and Lies: The Patriots

By David Fisher

8CDs

This is a great overview of the true historical significance of the founding fathers.  You can see how close a country can be destroyed by betrayal and by scheming politicians.  You’ll also see men of honor and character acting in accordance with their nature to fight for freedom and justice.  They risked their lives and some paid with them.  Many names of great men are unknown to us in the history of America because of their deaths or circumstances that left them on the sidelines despite their great contributions.

This is a nice compilation of stories that is very entertaining.  The narration is excellent.

Recommend

Review: Crockett of Tennessee by Cameron Judd

14 Discs
Book on CD


This is a fun book and knowing that there are many creations in here to fill out the story doesn't take away from the idea of David Crockett.  According to the author the book is based on the autobiography written by Crockett.  The story has a great flow of action and introspection as it moves through each change in Crockett's life.  I learned many things about Crockett that I hadn't known before in terms of his family background and exactly where he lived and why he ended up in Texas.

It is well written and makes for a historically based novel that accomplishes the task of keeping the Crockett legend alive.  Well done.

Read by Allan Robertson

The narrator makes this book come alive.  He has the accents down perfectly and gives everything authenticity.

I loved this story.  Well Written.

Highly Recommend ***** 5 Stars

Review: The Kid by Ron Hansen

The Kid

By Ron Hansen

Read by Mark Bramhall

9 CD discs

This is a great story about Billy the Kid.  Of course it has known facts woven in with fictional narrative to make the story go forward and compelling.  If you ever wanted some overview of how the story of Billy the Kid became legend you’d find this an easy way learn the legend.  I have traveled to Fort Sumner and stopped by The Kid’s gravesite while I was there.  It’s nothing specia to look at other than knowing the story and timeline behind this piece of Western Legend and Lore. You can find a couple of Billy the Kid Museums that are profit making gift centers. Finding his real gravesite is more difficult than I thought it would be. You have to locate the old graveyard and not the more recent one. You can ask around. A SIRI search didn't get me there. I had to use a map.  Now my trip to that place as well as Roswell gives me more appreciation for the lives once lived out here in the harsh country of New Mexico. Narration was excellent and appropriate for the subject.

It’s nice entertainment.  Recommend  **** 4.5  stars