Rating: 
Summary: A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WHO TRADES/INVESTS
Review: Whether you love or hate him, James Cramer is one on the most recognized faces on Wall Street. The thing is, there are so many out there who claim to hate him - my hypothesis is that it is a small group of people who use the anonymity of the net to make it appear that they are a big group. But, they insist upon blaming Cramer for everything wrong in their life. Their plight is reflective of many in the world today...failing to take responsibility for their own actions. But, even if I hated him - which I do not - I would still read this book as it offers an insider's view into the real world of Wall Street, and Cramer's humble and not so flattering account of his life (to this point).If you think this book is a biography about how good and successful Cramer is, you would be wrong. He spends much more time talking about his mistakes, his trials and tribulations, and his downfalls as a person than he does his success. And, in the process, he tells you more about how Wall Street works than anyone else. I think Cramer is a great guy. I started reading his work in 1998, and that was also the time I sent him my first email, and got a response less than 2 hours later. From that point on he has gone on to show me - through his writings and his appearances - that he truly cares about the little guy. He has a wealth of knowledge in both trading and life, and his book reads like a textbook of what to do, and what not-to-do. If you are serious about trading or investing, this book is a must read!
Rating:
Summary: The BEST book about professional money mgt. yet
Review: Cramer gives a fascinating, no-nonsense look into what it really looks and feels like from the trenches of a hedge fund. I've read tons of books by investment managers and none of them give you the type of insight about the constant pressure these managers face. Cramer's in-depth view of the roller coaster life of running a high profile hedge fund makes you feel like you are experiencing it firsthand. I felt butterflies in my stomach as he describes the highs and lows of the market, the sleepless nights worrying about his positions, and the harrowing run on his fund that had him thinking it was the end. In his own self-depricating way, Cramer reveals the series of failures and enemies he made along the way to what turned out to be a very successful career. Despite his high-profile status, the reader is made to feel that this is just a regular, hard working kid from Philly who had a hunger for stock picking and a tenacious work ethic. He also takes you through the wild journey of getting TheStreet.com website off the ground, using tons of his own money and taking a lot of grief from those around him. The success of that site today is one of his legacies, and testament to the power of perseverance and determination. But for an honest look behind the veil of secrecy associated with hedge funds, look no further than Confessions of a Street Addict.
Rating: 
Summary: Did we read the same book?
Review: ... I thought this book was fast paced and read like a novel. I read it in two days, since I couldn't put it down. I could have done with a little less of..., but the young Ivy Leaguers who tried to take control were atypical of the times. It gave an insider's look of the internet bubble and how money managers had no choice but to get in and pump these stocks in the name of performance or else their customers would pull their cash out. There are some great characters in here and best of all, they're real people, real players still living and breathing in the financial world. Like Cramer's style or not, he tells a great story even if he his a borderline paranoid schizophrenic. This one is going right next to Liar's Poker by Michael Lewis on the bookshelf. (Who had a bizarre cameo in the book.) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition
Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC BOOK!!!
Review: I PURCHASED THE AUDIOBOOK FROM AMAZON.COM NOT KNOWING TOO MUCH ABOUT THE LIFE THAT JIM CRAMER BUILT FOR HIMSELF WITH CRAMER & COMPANY, AND THEN CRAMER/BERKOWITZ. I KNEW VERY LITTLE ABOUT THE LIFE OF A HEDGE FUND MANAGER, AND WHAT THE ACTUAL ROLE WAS IN CREATING AND RUNNING THESTREET.COM. AS A FINANCIAL PLANNER AND MONEY MANAGER SINCE 1987 I KNEW WHAT PRESSURE WAS WHEN IT CAME TO WINNING ON WALL STREET. I DID NOT KNOW THE INTENSE AND UNBELIEVABLE PRESSURE THAT JIM CRAMER HAD GONE THROUGH IN HIS YEARS RUNNING HIS HEDGE FUND AND BUILDING THESTREET.COM. I LISTENED TO THE AUDIOBOOK, AND I RECOMMEND ANYONE PURCHASING THIS BOOK TO BUY ONLY THE AUDIOBOOK. THE REASON BEHIND THIS IS YOU ACTUALLY HEAR JIM SPEAKING IN HIS OWN STYLE AND MANNER ABOUT LIFE ON WALL STREET. HE PULLS NO PUNCHES, HE BASICALLY SAYS THAT HE WAS AN A-HOLE AT TIMES, BACKSTABBING LONG TIME FRIENDS, MAKING DUMB DECISIONS, BEING AN IDIOT. HE ALSO COMES THROUGH AS SOMEONE TO RESPECT, SOMEONE WHO AT THE WORST TIMES IN THE TRENCHES OF WALL STREET IS SOMEONE YOU WANT TO BE IN CHARGE OF THE TROOPS, TO MAKE THE GUTSY DECISIONS ABOUT BUYING, SELLING, SHORTING, OPTIONING STOCKS. HE TALKS ABOUT HIS WIFE IN ALMOST REVERENT TERMS, HE COMES OFF AS BEING A GOOD DAD, HE HAS A GOOD SOUL. NO ONE IS PERFECT, AND JIM CRAMER'S BOOK IS NOT PERFECT, BUT IT IS A RIVETING INSIGHT INTO THE CLOISTERED WORLD OF WALL STREET AND HOW IT REALLY OPERATES. JIM SPEAKS PLAINLY AND HONESTLY ABOUT LIFE ON THE STREET. HE IS FUNNY AT TIMES, AND I LAUGHED OUT LOUD MANY TIMES AT THE WAY HE DESCRIBED CERTAIN EVENTS THAT HAPPENED AT HIS HEDGE FUND AND THE TROUBLES STARTING UP ON THE WEB. THIS IS A BOOK TO BUY AND LISTEN TO MANY TIMES OVER. TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND BUY IT. YOU WILL NOT GET A BETTER EDUCATION ABOUT WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE ON WALL STREET DURING THE ROARING 90'S. IT IS SPOT ON.
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Summary: The First Step is admitting the Problem...
Review: This is must-read stuff for anyone who knows Jim Cramer, and believes he's led a Charmed Life. A completely foreign side of the man whose every word can be stamped as Pure Gold, as we little guys and first-time investors try to flesh out the do's-and-don't's of Investing and Trading[mostly for Profit, if played with confidence, employing the Cramer methodology].
Do Not expect from " 'Street Addict"a detailed tutorial on puts, calls and options, as outlined by the shot-out-of-a-cannon-supercharged, goodwill-toting, "Full Disclosure", Boy Scout/Genius who would make a Millionaire of anyone courageous and astute enough to tune in log-on and heed his wisdom.
Instead, prepare yourself for a seedy, often frightening, always intriguing look into the life of a man so obsessed with Beating the Street, that he frantically strategized for the immediate impact of unsuspected Fed Rate Hikes via cellphone, while actively assisting in the delivery of his own child.
The James J. Cramer I know and by whom I've come to swear, is theStreet.com founder, and all-around good.
The Jim Cramer of "Confessions of a Street Addict" is a gun-toting, phone smashing Maniac who pukes Absolut and Johnnie Walker all over his beloved wife and closest friends, in the midst of his own 40ieth birthday party at Gallagher's--while embroiled in an SEC "pump-and-dump" investigation.
... I am omniconfident in the author of this autobiography, and have unfettered faith that his Time will continue to be my Money.
Nevertheless, his strategem of Full Disclosure forces me to say that I've come away with a brand new take on Cramer, and a whole new appreciation for what's made him the Amazing stockpicker that he consistently proves himself to be.
And I'm glad I've had--from a Safe Distance--the chance to experience the life that's led Jim to where he seems to have Found Himself: the Fiduciary Guru to the Masses.
...
Rating: 
Summary: Confessions??
Review: I'll first admit I haven't read the book but I would like to offer a perspective into Cramer's personality. I had the displeasure of being on the periphery in Cramer's last days at the hedge fund. I had always respected him and his opinion, but was shocked when he responded with a caustic email in response to what I believed was constructive criticism. When I suggested I was surprised by this, that it showed a lack of professional sensibilty, my email address was bombarded with the most hateful flaming I had ever encountered. He indicated he had created a program for people like me. His 'detractors' apparently were put on the flame list and any attempt to contact him was greeted with an email barrage like rounds from a machine gun. Only later did I learn this was coincident with the 'infamous' keyboard incident and shortly after he announced he was leaving the hedge fund. I wonder if the alienation he created among some of his most supportive readers and paying customers is discussed in this 'confession'. Truth be told, I'm not that interested in hearing it, certain actions create permanent wedges. I'd guess this is a truth that's missing from the book, something as ugly as the diatribe that remains nailed to my wall as a reminder of the hell that became his life and this market. As far as the book, I'm not compelled to read it, in a weird way I was there.
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME
Review: I think JJC deserves credit for taking a critical view of his life and relationships while telling the story of his hedge fund success. JJC should be proud of his record! But the book is a lot more than "I made more money than almost everybody etc. etc." (my quote; not JJC). JJC is humble when he admits the mistakes he made in business and with his friends. He does not paint a flattering picture of himself of how money obsessed his every waking moment. It takes INTEGRITY to be that self critical. The book gives you an excellent feel for finanical market history and is worth reading for that alone. You can feel the fear at the firm during October 1998 and the depth of feeling JJC has for his children and wife Karen. IF you take the time to read the book and better yet access his columns on RealMoney.com, you will be more successful with your money. I think the personal lessons drawn from the book will make you successful in the things that really matter. I'm obviously a fan; but read it and his columns and you will see the praise Cramer has been given is well earned.
Rating:
Summary: The hero with a thousand faces?
Review: Having read virtually everything Cramer has written since 1996-1997 at TheStreet.com, I was concerned that the book would just be a re-arrangement or compilation of his "best" articles. Rest assured this is not the case-- so much more is revealed and I learned a lot, yet again. Imagine that!
Rating:
Summary: Whether you like Cramer or not ...
Review: ... you have to admire his moxie. This is one of the most fascinating biographical accounts I've read in a long time. With his strong personality, Cramer evokes the full spectrum of emotions from his observers. I, for one, admire him and the company he helped build, TheStreet.com. This story of Cramer from the man himself is a must-read for fans and detractors alike -- listen to what he has to say for himself. Sure, he's egotistical, but he has reason to be. I particularly found the anecdotes about the Trading Goddess to be intriguing and I wonder if she'd be kind enough to publish her own story some time in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Fun Read
Review: You want to have an inside view of the high energy, high risk and high reward world of trading with the big boys? Well, this is it. Mix one part maniacal personality, one part laser beam intensity, one part ruthless (but legal) creativity, and pour all that into the volatile world of hedge fund trading, dot.com frenzy, and hyperbolic media coverage, you have Confessions of a Street Addict. I have followed Jim's advice since early 1998 and have made a lot of money from his picks. He's not perfect as he readily admits in this fun read. But for a reflection of the heady times of the late 1990s and a first hand look inside the career of a self made stock trading genius, you can't do better than this. Boring? Those negative reviewers must have read a different book.
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