Fund-of-funds Books

Just an addendum to my previously submitted review: This review reflects my personal opinion and not necessarily that of the American Bar Association or any of its committees or subcommittees. Thanks!

As the chair of the American Bar Association's Subcommittee on Electronic Commerce, I recently reviewed this book for an upcoming issue of the South Carolina Law Review. In that review, I noted that few other works have addressed the intersection of electronic commerce and banking law, and characterized the book as "a consistently impressive combination of a treatise and a client memorandum." I found particularly useful the authors' detailed, informed, and intensely practical surveys of electronic payment technologies, regulatory actions, and judicial decisions. Separate sections, which can be read independently, are devoted to the missions and relevant activities of various regulatory agencies such as the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Other chapters discuss security and privacy of online banking systems, the operation of stored-value systems such as Mondex and Visa Cash, online brokerage and insurance services, intellectual property online, and Internet-based jurisdiction. I believe that this book is useful not only for reference but as a survey of developments in this rapidly-moving area. In my opinion, someone who sat down and read 50 pages a night of 21st Century Money, Banking and Commerce could get painlessly in two weeks more substantive information than most seminars on electronic commerce could deliver.

My wife and I read this book from cover to cover and found it easy to understand. In fact, we have started a college fund for our daughter, she is 8 now, and I am saving to buy a new car. This book showed us how easy it is to start setting aside money for things that we want. It showed us (with hands on examples) how to start a budget and how to curtail our expenses. Thank you so much for your hard work on this book. My hat's off to you Mr. Mervin.

Thanks, Dana! Pat J. Schulz, autho

This is a must read book for the new or old invester. I have read it 2 times and refer back to it when I want to know about a specific item that I can't remember.

Years of riding the market's hype-high has been replaced by this year's bitter withdrawl. How many thousands did I invest based on nothing more than a few articles written by "experts" and the all-knowing smiles of MSNBC's Squak Box? I wish I had read this book instead!

Its sane, responsible, and time-tested approach to investing is the backbone of any sound financial body. Although my need-it-now-nature wanted to skip the well-written introductory chapters and jump to the "real" secret of investing, I came to realize that there is no "secret." There is no magic bullet. So, I went back, and started the book from the beginning, reading each page, slowly filling in the rather large gaps in my investing knowledge.

In these unsettled times, this book feels like the calm voice of proven experience.

This is a book of Primary Source Documents. Go to www.libertyfund.org to find out more about this good book and others like it. Or, call and request a catalog: 1.800.621.2736 It is a great reference book!AMERICAN REPUBLIC

Compiled and edited by Bruce Frohnen (Assistant Professor of Law, Ave Maria School of Law, Ann Arbor, Michigan), The American Republic: Primary Sources is an immense 724-page compendium of archival writings directly pertaining to the history of America, stretching from over a century before the Revolutionary War to shortly before the Civil War. A straightforward presentation of texts ranging from governmental charters to veto messages and the fifth Lincoln-Douglas debate, The American Republic is unvarnished with commentaries or interpretations; it is exclusively a collection of the primary sources themselves, leaving the reader to draw conclusions as he or she sees fit. The American Republic is an excellent and very welcome addition to American History reference shelves.

A great book that reflects the real problems that lead to the economic crisis in December 2001. Today's Argentinian populist politicians should read this book to learn that the Convertibility system was not the cause of the problem but in fact it was the fiscal irresponsability of the provinces, causing fiscal deficits that were imposible to deal with.
If you need to study the Argentina case you should definitly buy this book and learn the truth about it.

I used this book for a business school "Central Banking" class recently. Michael Mussa really knew what he was talking about, and he writes concisely and elegantly.

He analyzed the effects on the Argentinian economy of irresponsbible fiscal and monetary policies. And in the process of doing so, he also convincingly illustrated the intercation between fiscal and monetary policies and its implications in steering the economy in general.

Best book written on Argentinian economy I have ever read. Two-thumbs up!

This is a timeless book -- his course was excellent as well. It is just plain common sense and a great foundation.

The Art of Fund Raising tells you nothing about "turn key" operations in development, nothing about "mass mailings." Warner tells you, in his wonderfully simple and very eloquent writing that fund raising is about giving of yourself to help people find what is best for them. He explains that fund raising is the very essence of humanity, and its only money that gets in the way. Your job is to take Warner's work and interpret fund raising and use your own contacts and skills
for your clients. I refer a lot to the Do's and Don'ts section and especially enjoy his
often humorous, and very insightful "It happened to me, don't let it happen to you" section. 35+ years of experience and hundreds of satisfied students, readers and clients can't be wrong. Enjoy

Cindy has done a marvelous job of bringing her
love of wildlife to all of us who share
that love. Told in her own unique, personal
and touching style; this is a book
to be enjoyed simply "Because They
Matter". It's about wildlife rehabilitation at
the personal level. Read it!!

This book is a heart-warming account of life and times at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Cindi 's stories are touching and bring us closer to the animals she cares for each day. Interlaced with great humor and facts, I reccommend this book for everyone.

My sister and I read this book in preparation for a four month trip to africa, of which two months was spent on bikes. This book was the single most useful, common-sense guide we read in all of our preparation - both for biking, and just generally getting by in Africa. Really - read this!

This is the best handy-dandy guide to tour preparation that I have ever read (and I have probably read most of them). It is written with a wealth of experience behind the pearls of wisdom and that experience comes shining through on each section.

Concentrating on Africa, Mozer has outlined all of the things that have to be considered when preparing oneself and one's bicycle for a trip to a foreign country. In addition to covering the general prep, visas, inoculations, currency, etc., the author outlines how much one can benefit from experiencing the country on its terms rather than yours. I think he sums it up perfectly, with respect to Africa, when he says "...the essential difference between western and African culture is that Africans are concerned with the form of life and westerns dwell on the content."

Mozer uses a perfect blend of sensible advice and anecdotes in this easy to read manual. Whether or not you are planning an African tour, I think this manual is worth a read.

"Board Members Rule is an essential read for those who want to transform their board membership into an opportunity to exercise strategic leadership in promoting the mission of the agency."
- Emily Murase, San Francisco Department on the Status of Women

"Zimmerman Lehman have once more produced a hands-on practical board manual, Board Members Rule, that will benefit both the experienced and inexperienced board member."
- Phillip Kilbridge, Habitat for Humanity San Francisco

"Board Members Rule is chock-full of excellent advice and practical techniques for the proactive board member. Tons of resources, references, tables, forms and exercises will ensure that all boards govern effectively."
- Tim Hallahan, Stanford Law School

Lehman and Zimmerman draw on their extensive background in community organizing and public policy to demonstrate the power of strategic advocacy in affecting change and implementing a nonprofit's mission.
- Norman A. Constantine, University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health

Before reading this book, I had very little knowledge what a mutual fund was, and had even less knowledge how to invest in them. This book explains step by step the different types of funds (small cap, mid cap, growth, blend, index, etc.) in a very easy-to-read format. It also recommends investment strategies for people at all stages of their life, and explains why certain funds may work better for people than others. After reading this book, I feel much more confident picking the right fund, and knowing how to react to market swings. A definite A+.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about mutual fund investing. Unlike other books on the subject I have read, the author details how loads and high expenses can devastate investment returns.