Joshua M. Brown

This is an interesting and entertaining look at the people who have significant influence on the investing behavior of millions of Americans: the Financial Pundits. These are the men and women who present their takes on the economy and the stock market, declare what investments look good and what looks bad, and (hopefully) give some kind of reason for their judgment.

The book alternates between Brown's discussion of a significant "pundit event" such as the spontaneous argument on live TV between Carl Icahn and Bill Ackman over Ackman's charge that Herbalife was a pyramid scheme, and Macke's interviews with contemporary pundits.

I will have to say that while the interviews were frequently informative and interesting, they also tended to be over-long. They mainly consisted of Macke and his interviewee chatting, leaving the reader to mine whatever information they might deem interesting out of an extended conversation. A little more structure to the interviews - perhaps had they been a bit more formal and less chummy - would have been very helpful.

The "essay" chapters salvage the book and give it some lasting value as a look at some of the people and events that have shaped investing and created a "profession" out of being a personality. This is a good book for those who are intrigued by investing and who follow not just the stock market but the people who make a living telling you about the stock market.… (meer)

Josh Brown writes about what he knows. His early career was spent as a broker. What this really means is that he spent his formative years learning how to sell financial products to the public. It is interesting to hear an insider’s guide to what actually goes on in the brokerage / financial advisor industry. If you thought that stockbroker was an honest career, pursued by those interested in their client’s best interests, this book will most likely disabuse you of that notion. I wouldn’t say the book is a crushing critique of the industry but generally does a good job in pointing out that the monetary incentives of the industry are not at all aligned with the general public’s financial well being. Was a worthwhile read.… (meer)