"These books are recommended because they provide a good summary of the topic, use plain language, and are the kind you will refer to again and again. I have personally used all these books to help me retire early, learn about investing, and understand the global economy."
Kimberly Amadeo
Publisher, World Money Watch
Index of Topics
Building Wealth
Economics
Hegemony
Oil
Other Cultures
Travel
Just click on the book's title to order from Amazon.com.
Building Wealth
Adventure Capitalist: The Ultimate Road Trip by Jim Rogers
An entertaining read about this retired investment analyst’s trip around the world, and his firsthand experience with each country’s prospects for growth.
The Armchair Millionaire by Douglas Gerlach
A basic introduction to investing. Covers how to get out of debt, build a budget, and reduce spending to save for retirement. Does not address real estate.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Online Investing by Douglas Gerlach
This is a great book if you really want to buy and sell stocks online by yourself. It just reminded me why I prefer the ease and time savings of mutual fund investing.
The Future for Investors: Why the Tried and True Triumph Over the Bold and New by Jeremy Siegel
This Wharton professor clearly explains why a buy-and-hold investment strategy will do better in the long run than chasing stocks based on news reports. He also explains world markets and traditional investment theory.
How to Retire Early and Live Well With Less than a Million Dollars by Gillette Edmunds
Provides practical directions on building a diverse investment portfolio, figuring out how much you'll need, and living off of your investments after retirement.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert
Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Great introduction to how to spend less and invest more. There are many books in the series, and all cover slightly different aspects of wealth-building.
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
Provides great motivation, support and easy-to-use steps to help you believe that you deserve to be rich and retire early -- or anything else your heart desires.
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Classic guide on how to get rich by setting goals and providing a valuable service that will enable you to earn enough to reach those goals.
What Rich People Know and Desperately Want to Keep Secret by Brian Sher
Very concise way of summing up the important elements of a successful self-run business.
Economics
The Great Unraveling: Losing Our Way in the New Century by Paul Krugman
An entertaining and informative collection of op-ed pieces by this noted New York Times Columnist and economics professor. The result is a painless education on economic events and policies of the last five years.
Maestro: Greenspan’s Fed and the American Boom by Bob Woodward
An entertaining biography of Alan Greenspan by the famous Watergate reporter. A good behind-the-scenes story of the economic crises since 1987, and the personal qualities that made Greenspan a great Federal Reserve Chairman.
Three Billion New Capitalists by Clyde Prestowitz
Excellent description of exactly why the the balance of economic power will shift in the near future to China, India and the Far East.
American Hegemony
Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War by Mark Bowden
A journalist's description of what did happen in Somalia in 1993 - how the highly prepared and patriotic Rangers and Delta Forces were trapped and humiliated by poor planning on our side and an under-estimation of the other side.
Empire of Debt: The Rise of an Epic Financial Crisis by Bill Bonner and Addison Wiggin
U.S. history and foreign policy as viewed through the authors’ perspective that our country behaves like an empire - and one that is declining. Explains why we irrationally keep getting into wars despite an unsustainable budget deficit.
A Reporter's Life by Walter Cronkite
An interesting journal about America in World War II, the Cold War and the Nixon years, from the man who covered it.
Oil
The Party’s Over: Oil, War and the Fate of Industrial Societies by Richard Heinberg
A good summary of why so many believe we will start seriously running out of oil as soon as 2010.
Other Cultures
Ines of My Soul by Isabel Allende
Long before Michelle Bachelet, there was Ines Saurez who helped found Chile. Written by ex-President Salvatore Allende's relative, this gripping story describes the cruelty and hardship that came with the Spanish conquest in the1500's.
Monique and the Mango Rains by Kris Holloway
An enjoyable read about Kris's friendship with a midwife in Mali while a Peace Corps volunteer. Really helped me appreciate how it feels to live in a third-world country.
Nine Hills to Nambokaha by Sarah Erdman
Sarah's rewarding two years as a health care worker in Cote D'Ivoire, and her struggles to help villagers cope with infant mortality, AIDS and female circumcision.
No Man's Land: A Novel by Duong Thu Huong
A great read about a Vietnamese woman caught between duty to her war veteran husband who returned after 14 years in the jungle and happiness with her current husband. A good description of what the legacy of the Vietnam War is like for those who live there.
Travel
Solo Traveler: Tales and Tips for Great Trips by Lea Lane Great stories and practical advice on thriving as a woman traveling alone.
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