Rating: 
Summary: Serious book
Review: Gaining a perspective of the long term is essential for today's stock investors. Too many got caught up in the day trading frenzy of recent years. Siegel's book teaches us the patience of longer term investing and how that method can be used to reduce risk. Since we have been a bear market for some time now, risk reduction is an essential ingredient for today's successful investor. In conjunction with this book, I recommend another that demonstrates a different way to minimize market risk: THE SHORT BOOK ON OPTIONS demystifies options and shows the reader how to use them to make a portfolio safer and more profitable. Using Siegel's method of stock investment, coupled with using options makes for a safer method of investing safely. It works for me.
Rating: 
Summary: Probably good but how does it compare to earlier edition?
Review: I bought the original edition. It was one of the best ever on stocks. However, nothing explains how the revised edition is different. Perhaps someone knows. At any rate, it must be terrific based on the earlier version. It should be a must read not only for investors but for all who are thinking of their long term well being. For the long run, investing in stocks is vastly better than bonds, money markets, etc. This book convinces.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Reference
Review: I bought this book about two years ago, and have read it several times. It is well organized, filled with a fascinating mixture of concepts and facts that is also very easy to read. This is not a text book, but it has depth to the information, and it will make you think. It has far more solid information than most other investing books.I find myself referring back to it frequently. Just tonight, I pulled it off the shelf and looked up the proper stock mix to be on the "Efficient Frontier" for a 30 year portfolio expectation for maximum safety. (It's 71.3% stocks, 28.7% bonds, in case you were wondering). This book builds an extremely compelling case for owning a high percentage of equities, even in retirement.
Rating:
Summary: The Definitive Guide to Investing in the Stock Market
Review: I cannot put into words how valuable this book is to investors and those wanting to learn about investing alike. Whether you've invested your entire life or are curious about it from the recent stock market boom, Dr. Siegel clearly expresses why one must be in the market over the long run and how to do it. With comprehensive graphs and easy to understand explanations, this book delivers an "all in one" knockout about equities. From international markets to the heated debate of growth versus value stocks, "Stocks for the Long Run" covers the entire spectrum of opportunities that exist for investors. Readers will also gain an understanding of how monetary policy works in the United States. Wanting to know why the stock market boom has been occurring, why there is widespread misunderstanding about stocks, or the advantages and disadvantages to small caps? All are carefully detailed in this book. Dr. Siegel draws upon a plethora of historical evidence dating back to the early 19th century to make a compelling case for stocks so that people can live their lives instead of worrying about their financial future. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to reap the huge benefits of the stock market. Dr. Siegel is one of few people who understands how the market works and has the ability as an excellent writer to convey that knowledge. I guarantee you that this will be the best 20 bucks you've ever spent.
Rating: 
Summary: Long Run Indeed
Review: I checked the latest numbers: stocks are now trading below the post-911 dip, across the board. Since August, 2000, stock prices fell a nice and tidy 50%. That's 50 cents gone for every dollar invested in just the past two and a half years. There's no end in sight for this downward trend. Either you have to be stock-savvy like Warren Buffett, or you must be patient and wait for the rebound in the future. Siegel's idea of a "long run" is REALLY long......something like 50 years. If you're in your teens and twenties, Siegel's book should be a great comfort and an educational tool. Otherwise, bear in mind that buying this book will not help you get rich quick. But Siegel will. And that's nice to know. Whatever the market may be. Good for him. Which reminds me of a story about Levi jeans. The guy made tons of money in the Gold Rush, but not from the gold. He sold jeans to the prospectors. That's how Mr. Levi got rich. Whether he found any gold - whether there WAS any gold - or not, hardly mattered. Did Siegel make a bundle in stocks? Only he knows. In any case the most successful investors won't let on what they buy (until it's too late of course), because if they do, they wouldn't be rich. Only moderately successful and totally unsuccessful investors write book about stocks. Even Benjamin Graham was broke when he wrote "Security Analysis". A sobering thought. This book is full of charts and tables to convince even the most cynical about the wonders of stocks for the long run. Of course Siegel is right......except that everyone has their own idea of "long run", and it may not be what Siegel has in mind.
Rating: 
Summary: Old data has to be suspect
Review: I love history but beware of a book that has data going back to 1800. Very unlikely to be accurate. Going back even 10 years is suspect, with the data from the BLS. But, an interesting read.
Rating:
Summary: Long Run Indeed (pt 2)
Review: I must say that on re-reading this book I find the data pretty convincing. Stocks do hold up fairly well against other forms of investment, and that's Siegel's message.
Rating:
Summary: Long Run Indeed (pt 2)
Review: I must say that on re-reading this book I find the data pretty convincing. Stocks do hold up fairly well against other forms of investment, and that's Siegel's message.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Perspective - Easy Read
Review: I took a keen interest in my 401k plan after seeing red (literally and figuratively) when I opened my last statement. Oy! In the interim, I have taken the time to read a couple books on investing and I have to admit, this was one of the more compelling ones. It was a quick, easy read, but I suppose I had a vested interest. Siegel puts proof behind an assumption that I have adhered to for most of my life, that stocks are the best investment - bar none - over the long-run. In fact, Siegel, after doing some amount of research, reaches the conclusion that over ANY given 30-year period, a stock portfolio has yielded, on average, a superior return than any other financial investment vehicle. I know it is hard to see that now, but since I have an investment horizon of over 30 years, I am reassured that by the time I am ready for retirement activities, I will have a secure financial nest egg to rely on. However, since I eternally want to hit the "make better" button, I think that you pro-active types should also consider bolstering your potential returns with some basic, effective tweaking throughout the next 30 years. ... I think that a few minutes of additional research every year will help me increase my returns by perhaps another $1 million by the time I retire. ... Good book, good buy.
Rating:
Summary: The stock market is the place to invest
Review: If you are hesitating about investing in the stock market, then read this book. The evidence is here. The arguments are compelling. Siegel uses historical data to demonstrate that investing in the stock market has been very rewarding, over the long term, and much more rewarding than alternative investment choices.
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