The Four Pillars of Investing, William J. Bernstein
The Four Pillars of Investing, William J. Bernstein
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The Four Pillars of Investing
Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio

Author: William J. Bernstein

Narrator: William J. Bernstein

Unabridged: 12 hr 16 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/08/2010


Synopsis

The classic guide to constructing a solid portfolio-without a financial advisor!

“With relatively little effort, you can design and assemble an investment portfolio that, because of its wide diversification and minimal expenses, will prove superior to the most professionally managed accounts. Great intelligence and good luck are not required.”

William Bernstein’s commonsense approach to portfolio construction has served investors well during the past turbulent decade-and it’s what made The Four Pillars of Investing an instant classic when it was first published nearly a decade ago.

This down-to-earth book lays out in easy-to-understand prose the four essential topics that every investor must master: the relationship of risk and reward, the history of the market, the psychology of the investor and the market, and the folly of taking financial advice from investment salespeople.

Bernstein pulls back the curtain to reveal what really goes on in today’s financial industry as he outlines a simple program for building wealth while controlling risk. Straightforward in its presentation and generous in its real-life examples, The Four Pillars of Investing presents a no-nonsense discussion of:

The art and science of mixing different asset classes into an effective blend

The dangers of actively picking stocks, as opposed to investing in the whole market

Behavioral finance and how state of mind can adversely affect decision making

Reasons the mutual fund and brokerage industries, rather than your partners, are often your most direct competitors

Strategies for managing all of your assets-savings, 401(k)s, home equity-as one portfolio

Investing is not a destination. It is a journey, and along the way are stockbrokers, journalists, and mutual fund companies whose interests are diametrically opposed to yours.

More relevant today than ever, The Four Pillars of Investing shows you how to determine your own financial direction and assemble an investment program with the sole goal of building long-term wealth for you and your family.

About William J. Bernstein

William J. Bernstein is a retired neurologist and cofounder of the investment management firm Efficient Frontier Advisors. He is the author of three finance books-The Intelligent Asset Allocator, The Four Pillars of Investing, and The Investor's Manifesto-and four history books, The Birth of Plenty, A Splendid Exchange, Masters of the Word, and The Delusions of Crowds. Bernstein won the prestigious James R. Vertin Award from the CFA Institute in 2017.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Krenzel on June 20, 2008

In the introduction to his book, "The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio," Dr. William Bernstein states that the "competent investor never stops learning." Yet, because the world of investing can be such a confusing place, it sometimes seems that the more you learn,......more

Goodreads review by Justin on August 09, 2017

Not particularly memorable......more

Goodreads review by Antonio on June 21, 2020

One does not simply encounter a book with condenses so much information while having the ability to lay it out in such a readable and understandable way. I had heard a lot about Bernstein prior to reading this book, but it is upon delightfully devouring its pages that I understood the greatness from......more

Goodreads review by Paul on July 05, 2012

Bernstein argues that the successful investor must understand four essential content areas: the theory, history, psychology, and business of investing. Practically speaking, he argues that the best portfolios build on that understanding will be based on indexed mutual funds in several key asset clas......more