General Investing
  -General information about
  getting started.
Stocks
  -How investing in the stock
  market works
Bonds
  -How bond investing works
Mutual Funds
  -How mutual funds work
Economics
  -A basic intro to the economy
Advanced Investing Topics
  -This section covers topics
   like futures and options

Confessions of a Street Addict
May 2004 Book of the Month  9.2/10.0

By Chris Stallman  |  E-mail

                                                

   Jim Cramer...you either love him or hate him. Jim Cramer has always been a high-tempered, colorful character and you've probably seen him on CNBC a number of times, as he currently hosts a show called Kudlow & Cramer.

   Jim Cramer uses this book as his autobiography. It covers everything about his life, including his start in journalism, his successful investing through Harvard Law School, his start at Goldman Sachs, the start of his hedge fund, his media attention, and the rise and near-collapse of his internet venture, TheStreet.com.

   This book doesn't really read as an investment book. Sure, it talks about the stock market and investments he has made; but he rarely makes reference to the reasons behind his investments. Instead, the book focuses more on his life and the adventures of running a hedge fund and an internet business.

   The value of the book lies in his honest and interesting description of managing his hedge fund and running an internet business. It shows you the sheer level of stress hedge fund managers are under when they make investment mistakes. Pay particular attention to how he describes the market correction of October 1998 and how it nearly broke him.  And his description of the IPO process for TheStreet.com and all of their blunders is completely fascinating.

   A warning to anyone who wants to read this: keep in mind that Cramer is a very egotistical and arrogant guy.  But once you get past that, there's plenty of intriguing material in this book to read.

   This book doesn't really do anything new but, nonetheless, it provides a fascinating look at Jim Cramer's life. If you want something that's light reading and interesting, I definitely recommend picking up a copy sometime.  Rating: 9.2/10.  Buy This Book Now!

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