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Rating: 
Summary: Liberal Arts Light, but Excellent Intro to Investing
Review: A good, but light introduction to various liberal arts subjects for interested investors. The subjects R. Hagstrom tackles are topics any liberal arts major in college would've already been exposed to in varying degrees, however, for MBA's and those out there who've not yet "invested" their own time into "life's larger issues" and subjects, then this book is an excellent jumping off point. On the flip side, those of us who have spent a lot of time studying and thinking about liberal arts, and are new to business and investing but would like to learn more, Hagstrom's book helps synthesize the business/investment world with various disciplines which at first glance seem not to be related, but which in actuality, as Hagstrom shows, are inextricably linked. Overall, I recommend this book along with Peter Lynch's, "One Up on Wall Street" for serious long-term investors who understand that there's more to life than income producing stocks.
Rating:
Summary: Liberal Arts Light, but Excellent Intro to Investing
Review: A good, but light introduction to various liberal arts subjects for interested investors. The subjects R. Hagstrom tackles are topics any liberal arts major in college would've already been exposed to in varying degrees, however, for MBA's and those out there who've not yet "invested" their own time into "life's larger issues" and subjects, then this book is an excellent jumping off point. On the flip side, those of us who have spent a lot of time studying and thinking about liberal arts, and are new to business and investing but would like to learn more, Hagstrom's book helps synthesize the business/investment world with various disciplines which at first glance seem not to be related, but which in actuality, as Hagstrom shows, are inextricably linked. Overall, I recommend this book along with Peter Lynch's, "One Up on Wall Street" for serious long-term investors who understand that there's more to life than income producing stocks.
Rating: 
Summary: If you are trying to upgrade your thinking, here's how
Review: I have given the book 5 stars because in the very long run and the big scheme of things, the notions put forth will make you a significantly better person and thinker and as such the idea deserves to be understood. The idea of attaining "worldly wisdom" is a huge goal and one can only benefit immensely by trying to attain it--a lifetime project. This book is not for the average investor however (though they will benefit). It's for those who are already advanced in the investment game and want to achieve the extra edge. This is also a book for those who would like to be more well rounded in their thinking; it will also appeal to the intellectuals. This is not really a book about investing, as much as it is a book on how to think better--perhaps it needs to be retitled once more and placed in the self help book category on how to think better and to be a better person. For those arm chair investors who want a more practical application of worldly wisdom, read Janet Lowe's book on Bill Miller "The man who beats the S&P". It was Miller's "worldly wisdom" attitude that lead to Hal Varian and Brian Arthur who introduced Miller to the notion of increasing returns which allowed Miller to think in a different way than the average investor about...Amazon.com. The rewards of worldly wisdom are significant!
Rating: 
Summary: Beware
Review: I read a book entitled "latticework" by the same author and I ordered this title thinking it would be a continuation of the subject. Unfortunately it is the same book with the different title. I am a little ticked because it was not obvious when I submitted my order
Rating:
Summary: Beware
Review: I read a book entitled "latticework" by the same author and I ordered this title thinking it would be a continuation of the subject. Unfortunately it is the same book with the different title. I am a little ticked because it was not obvious when I submitted my order
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant book, deserves to be widely read
Review: This extremely well researched and written book argues for a liberal education - that is a process of continual learning in different fields/areas in order to improve understanding of how the world works. In relation to investing this means that just doing a finance or economics degree is not enough (although obviously helpful) and that knowing something from areas such as Psychology, Philosophy, biology, history will help you improve your performance. As well as about being about stock market investing, the book makes a strong case for a more liberal education at University, not only to improve students'job prospects, but also the way they will live their lives (and consequently affect others). Read it.
Rating:
Summary: Worldly Investment Wisdom
Review: This may be Hagstrom's best book yet. It's jam-packed with investment wisdom. The approach to investing described in this book is one that is based on a working knowledge of a variety of disciplines that was pioneered by Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett's brilliant partner at Berkshire Hathaway. Years ago, Munger developed what he termed "a lattice of mental models" that he used to create a powerful way to achieve superior investment results. According to Munger, investment decisions are more likely to be correct when ideas from other disciplines lead to the same conclusions. That is the topmost payoff-broader understanding makes us better investors. How does one achieve worldly investment wisdom? Hagstrom believes that it is an ongoing process of acquiring the significant concepts-the models-from many areas of knowledge and then learning to recognize patterns of similarity among them. The first is a matter of educating yourself; the second is a matter of learning to think and see differently. Hagstrom notes that acquiring the knowledge of many disciplines may seem a daunting task. Fortunately, you don't have to become an expert in every field. You merely have to learn the fundamental principles-what Munger calls the big ideas-and learn them so well that they are always with you. Hagstrom's book is intended as a starting point for this self-education process. He examines a specific discipline-physics, biology, social sciences, psychology, philosophy, and literature-from the perspective of its contribution to a latticework of models. Hagstrom does a great job of explaining the role of complexity theory in understanding financial markets and the evolving global economy. After you read Hagstrom's book, you will be on your way to achieving worldly investment wisdom.
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