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Rating: 
Summary: Big Picture view of global markets
Review: This book is explains the Big Picture of global markets and how an individual investor can use a broader understanding of markets to manage a personal investment portfolio. The survival analogy really works for me. It is his ability to explain the patterns underlying the day to day activities of the stock markets which sets Mr. Coxe apart from other investment writers I have read. The first chapters are about crashes and Triple Waterfalls, and he provides the historical context for the Nasdaq's crash. It was eerie and sobering to see how precisely we mimicked the behavior of investors in other eras. However the chapters I found most interesting were dealing with the US Dollar, Gold and the Eurodollar. I can't wait for his next book!
Rating: 
Summary: Author's Fund 1 Yr Performance: -29.6%; Flawed Outlook
Review: While not a complete waste of money (like Mark Douglas' books), the author has little credibility writing a book when his one year performance in his Harris Insight Equity fund (4/1/02-3/31/03) was MINUS 29.6%. Notable flaws are the author's assumption that the exploding latin population will assimilate into the general population as the Italians and Irish did over a century ago and help the economy (Hey Donald Coxe, check out current crisis condition of California). Another flaw is his stubborn refusal to see the current bear market as largely UNfinished and more like the Great Depression than the milder 73-74 bear. And, since he only knows how to push mutual funds (he manages one), forget about any info on options. Options and the leverage they empower the average investor with is the ONLY realistic way to make up for past market losses. Try Sy Harding's book (for overall market knowledge), Charles Caes' "Tools of the Bear" (for options education), and John Murphy's "Charting Made Easy" (to learn technical analysis).
Rating:
Summary: Macro analysis
Review: While the author from NV makes a point about the Harris Insight yearly underperformance, Mr. Coxe's performance has beaten the SP over the last three years by 680 basis points annualized.This is a superior book, because of the style of thinking. Typical investors, like the individual from NV, or the herd, think in a conformed fashion and Mr. Coxe takes us out of the conformity and allows us independent thought. He also does a great job explaining what external influences on the market are, the important roles they play( things like eurodollars, central banks, world economies, etc.), and what happens when markets go down or sideways for an extended period of time. I would recommend this book if you are looking for a good macro overview of markets and the major players. It is not nor meant to be a technical indicator or timing book, and indeed while there will be major trading rallies of 50%, the chances are very strong that we continue to remain in a "generational" bear market. One that could last a decade or more if history is correct. And one that will ultimately decimate Mr NV and the herd again at the proper time and place. For as we all know the market exists to make the majority of the people wrong the majority of the time. If you are looking to think like everyone else, then there are other books you should be reading.
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