My Vast Fortune: An Investor's Fiscal Triumphs and Money Misadventures

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Financial journalist Andrew Tobias is so socially conscientious that he once mounted an antismoking campaign in Russia simply because it seemed like a good idea. He has likewise taken it upon himself to upgrade living conditions in south Florida, support auto insurance reform in California, and undertake other crusades that result from his lifelong internal conflict between capitalism and socialism. Tobias can take on such causes because he's made quite a bit of money through writing and investment. In My Vast Fortune: The Money Adventures of a Quixotic Capitalist, he humorously reveals the details without hesitating to note that the joke is often on him.

Book Description

Tobias, “the funniest of financial writers” (Newsweek), writes a “refreshingly honest” chronicle (Kirkus Reviews) of his own financial exploits and escapades, in a book that is part financial memoir, part investment how-to, and part comedy of errors. Index.

Customer Reviews:

Don't Let the Title Fool You!.......2003-11-20

This book was rather dissatisfying because it didn't spend nearly enough time talking about how he made his money (short answer: he is a best selling financial-advice author and leveraged that fame to selling financial software = royalties!).

The book spends most of its time on a rambling (was there an editor??) account of his mis-dealings in real estate and social causes.

Definitely NOT a how-to book, I didn't find it as entertaining as a memoir either.

However, I *am* a fan of Tobias, and think his "Only Investment Guide" book is rather good.

Andrew Tobias shares his financial and political adventures.......2003-03-12

In this volume Andrew Tobias shares his adventures in personal finance and politics. The political part is only relevant as a guide to how things are actually done in that arena and also as a warning about how such things affect one's personal finances ( and perhaps as a plug for auto insurance reform). Tobias uses his personal experiences to support his position that slow wins the personal fortune game, even for those with a small fortune to start with. His involvement with auto insurance reform cost him money. His real estate investments are still up in the air. His Russian company and advertisments on smoking hazards worked to a degree. What is really great about this book is that Tobias takes you along on a ride through his personal finances:where his money came from, where it went to. Those looking for a finance guide in this book alone will be disappointed. It is more like the "laboratory research" that supports his point of view in The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need. The only quibble I have with the book is that Chapter 6 Your Vast Fortune appears rushed and scattered. As another reviewer pointed out most of this book is magazine articles collected together. It may be that the parts written to hold it all together are second rate. However, the book is humorous and a good read. It is definitely worth the time. It is also very self-effacing although I am not sure of the sincerity of the author in this regard.

Tongue-in-cheek autobiography, serious financial advice.......2002-07-31

Ah, the elusive and mysterious world of personal finance. I first heard of Andrew Tobias from his website, where he dissects and explains all mutual funds expenses. Not all no-load funds are created equal, and I realized that thanks to him. This book is great to get a sense of who Andrew Tobias is, what his core investing philosophy is, and be entertained in the meantime (he has lived a fascinating life). I can see where those readers who know a couple of things about personal finance might be a bit frustrated with the book, which is more than anything an autobiography. It was certainly worth my while to read it, and I recommend it.

Enjoyable, though sometimes it rambles.......2000-09-20

The other reviews cover the contents quite well. This is a book that has tidbits which have stuck with me over time, such as Tobias' account of how he purchased air-time in Russia to warn people there about the dangers of smoking and foreign cigarette companies. Probably the most influential chapter for me in this election year is the one on auto insurance reform, in that it paints a picture of Ralph Nader as someone who is all-too-human on this issue. Mr. Nader appears to make up his mind early on to support his lawyer friends, and has a "please don't confuse me with the facts" attitude. Obviously this is Tobias' own view of the world, but as a liberal and a man whose father helped Nader first become famous, he is sad to see Nader refuse to even discuss the issue with him.

The book occasionally meanders through topics and areas with little focus, such as his account of protracted real-estate headaches. That said, it is enjoyable overall in many ways and I definitely recommend it.

Amusing.......2000-08-08

This is an amusing and readable book, and worth reading. To the reviewer below that accuses Tobias of bragging about his "vast fortune,": the title of the book is meant IRONICALLY. It's like calling a bald guy "curly." Tobias obviously has money, but as he put it in his column recently, he's a "minor millionaire" which in the new world of billionaires might make a millionaire think he doesn't have much to brag about. And I don't see that Tobias brags at all: what makes his writing so funny, is he is a master of self-deprecating humor. He puts himself down a lot in endearing and funny ways. So those who think he's arrogant, etc., here, must have minds that aren't very good at comprehending subtleties in life. This is mainly a collection of previously published articles, which results in some dry patches, depending on your interests, but I think you'll find a lot of it worth your time. And, hey, I'm a heterosexual who always votes Republican and I STILL love Tobias' writing (a gay man who is treasurer for the Democratic National Committee, or whatever the heck that organization is called.)

Book Description

The CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names, a four volume set, is the most comprehensive work of its kind available today. The reader will find its coverage absorbing and useful. Umberto Quattrocchi, was awarded the prestigious Hanbury Botanical Garden Award for his studies on flowers and gardens.

CRC World Dictionary of Grasses: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology - 3 Volume Set

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CRC World Dictionary of Grasses: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology - 3 Volume Set
Umberto Quattrocchi
Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Science | Dictionaries & Thesauruses | Reference | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0849313031

Book Description

According to Rainer W. Bussmann reviewer for the Plant Science Bulletin, "This 3-volume set is a monumental work indeed, and will be essential to any library linked to botany, ecology, ethnobotany, general plant science, agriculture or horticulture. It is a great resource for systematic botanists, and has value for whoever else might be interested in grasses." The remarkable work of a brilliant botanist and linguist, this unparalleled lexicon offers an indispensable guide for all those involved with plants and gardens whether they are growing, studying, or writing about them. Detailing approximately 800 generic names and thousands of species of grasses, including cereals and forages, this three volume set lists all relevant properties related to the main and secondary uses of the grasses, as well as detailed descriptions and geographical distribution. Entries include genus, synonyms, and etymology, as well as vernacular names, rejected names, and orthographic variants. It provides a huge amount of obscure sources of nearly impossible to find information. "Now we have easier and better access to grass data than ever before in human history," says Daniel F. Austin, writing in Economic Botany. "That is a marked step forward. Congratulazioni Professor Quattrocchi!"

The Emotional Revolution: How the New Science of Feeling Can Transform Your Life
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The brain and the emotions

Panic Stinks You See

Five stars, with gusto!

Bull's Eye!!!!

A very interesting book

The Emotional Revolution: How the New Science of Feeling Can Transform Your Life
Norman E. Rosenthal
Manufacturer: Citadel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Depression | Mental Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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philosophy hope in a jar daily moisturizer

ASIN: 080652295X

Customer Reviews:

The brain and the emotions.......2002-11-01

Highly recommneded. The author simplified complex matters and lays it down in simple terminology. Should be a text book for Management courses. I have read many books on how the brain works and the science behind living a daily normal life, but this book sort of cracks the code to our individual wiring.

Panic Stinks You See.......2002-04-26

This is a good book. Like wow, it was good. Oh, now good.Oh and have a good

Five stars, with gusto!.......2002-04-16

I cannot say enough about "The Emotional Revolution"! Dr. Norman Rosenthal has compiled an astonishing amount of cutting edge clinical research and history, combined this information with his clinical expertise, and morphed it into a comprehensible book loaded with astute insights and practical advice you can use every day. One of the more remarkable elements of his writing is his ability to synthesize massive amounts of highly technical brain research into easily understandable text, so you really KNOW what's going on with your brain when you are sad, happy, relaxed, or angry. He then uses examples, vignettes and very specific behavioral guidelines to show you what simple steps you can take to lead a happier, healthier life. Dr. Rosenthal's brilliant, seamless, sensitive, writing will educate, fascinate, and benefit all who are fortunate to read it. Five stars, with gusto!

Bull's Eye!!!!.......2002-04-12

As a person from a troubled background, I found this book immensely helpful. Norman Rosenthal has gone beyond the limits of his earlier work, "Winter Blues". He has written this up-to-the-minute guide for anyone who is bewildered by emotions and who wants concrete solutions. Today's medical research looks at the structure and function of the brain as it is, no longer probling for how a person may have felt in years gone by. This book makes it clear that the "revolution" is in the change of attitude by health professionals, as a result of this research. Instead of being frustrated by the behavior of a troubled person, the helping professionals can now offer concrete relief to the troubled soul. Everyone benefits. Dr. Rosenthal was one of the pioneers in finding and treating the roots of clincial depression. Here, he has organized today's knowlege of the spectrum of human emotions and its effects. This easy-to-read volume asks the right questions and provides useful answers. It's a keeper.

A very interesting book.......2002-04-11

I know of Dr. Norman Rosenthal as an outstanding psychiatric researcher, but it was a very pleasant surprise to find his new book, The Emotional Revolution, so fascinating and readable. The book is packed with wisdom, stories and hints that could be useful to anybody.

I liked the way Rosenthal shows how emotions can help or hurt us depending on their degree and context. One story that comes to mind is about a woman who ignored her fear instinct to her regret, but there are so many interesting tales that it is worth reading for them alone. Rosenthal's description of a visit to the famous neurologist and legendary Holocaust survivor, Viktor Frankl, was particularly moving to me.

Bottom line: I enthusiastically recommend this book to everybody.

A Chukar Hunter's Companion
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Chukar hunting primer

Useful, entertaining and even inspiring

Good read, good information, good book.

This isn't worth the time

I am donating this book to the Salvation Army

A Chukar Hunter's Companion
Pat Wray
Manufacturer: Pat Wray
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Hunting | Hunting & Fishing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0974292303

Customer Reviews:

Chukar hunting primer.......2007-08-05

I found Wray's writing very colorful. His grasp of the english language is strong and vibrant in a Hemmingway sort of way. I am a Chukar hunter of 7 years and I found his stories of hunting chukars similar to many of my own. I personally know some of the people he mentions in the book and I don't agree with thier philosophies but, I never felt attacked for mine.
It is a good read for anyone that has any upland hunting just for the memories we all have.

Useful, entertaining and even inspiring.......2007-07-18

Pat Wray writes with authority and passion about this challenging game bird and the special places it inhabits. There is much practical information in this book -- everything from equipment to dog care to techniques to recipes. But it is more than a how-to manual. His observations about hunting in general and chukar hunting in particular are incisive and thought-provoking. His self-deprecating humor keeps things from getting too serious. Most of all, though, this book transmits to the reader Wray's love of the high desert and the pursuit of chukar.

Good read, good information, good book........2007-03-19

If you are looking for a book on chukar hunting that is informative as well as an enjoyable read, Pat Wray's book is it. While I am all for an individuals right to own and practice whatever the law allows, I am also in favor of an individuals right to their opinion. The act of someone useing this forum as a vindictive tool to voice their anger over another persons differing opinion is a testament to their character.

This isn't worth the time.......2007-02-28

I've been interesting in getting involved in hunting, but after seeing that people like the author feel about the type of shooting that I do now, I'm not that interested in hunting.

I am donating this book to the Salvation Army.......2007-02-27

I'm in the process of moving and getting rid of excess books. I am keeping most of my hunting and gun titles, but will not keep this book because of the author's recent comments to the Washington Post. But the fact of the matter is that it really isn't a very good book anyway.

Customer Reviews:

Great product.......2007-06-08

Its a great product, although I would have liked to include cursive hebrew. There are a few times when it tests you, although its mostly just practice. So far anyways, I'm about a 1/4 the way through.

Great book if you need to learn Hebrew quickly.......2005-07-08

I don't know how much I would have liked this book if I was learning Hebrew from afar, but a few years ago, I found out on two week's notice that I was going to Israel for six months. I had to get a workable knowledge of Hebrew in a short period of time. I carried the pocket pal card and the grocery card everywhere, and the flash cards were great. I like the style of the workbook - it is fun and entertaining. You definitely need the discipline to repeat things to learn much, though, as with any language learning. I clearly don't know Hebrew well enough to know about inaccuracies, but it was great for me, teaching me the basics very quickly.

For best results use in conjunction with Pimsluer tapes.......2005-02-09

The book is very good, it makes the learning process fun, the stickers and flashcards are great, too! Also constantly writing the words allows you to learn the spellings better than you would with other language learning tools. I am new to learning hebrew and I found this book quite helpful. Although I must agree some of the words are transliterated incorrectly (how do i know? I spent a few months in Israel). Anyways what was most effective to me was using this book as a suppliment to the Pimsluer languge learning tapes. Since the tapes usually come with no text supliment but generally cover the same material as this book, the two compliment eachother quite nicely. Using the tapes will also overcome the transliteration problems since you will HEAR the words being spoken (it will also help you nail down the accent). Also the book will help you understand what they are saying on the tapes more correctly (sometimes the speaker doesn't say the words as clear as you would like.)

Anyway I recommend this book and Pimsluer tapes for a good way to start learning hebrew. :-)

Always a Variance.......2003-10-13

I have been a student of Biblical Hebrew for over 3 years. But I've also investigated modern pronunciation. Interestingly, one will not find any consistency (I've found about half a dozen modern variations, both for consonants and for vowels, a total of about 12 pronunciation systems). A living language by definition means constant change and dialects existing side by side.

Adam Lance has put for that there are some transliterations problems with this text. That is possible; I mean, one cannot hardly find a published book today that wasn't rushed to the market so fast that it appears that some proofreading, or at least careful proofreading, was forgotten.

Modern Hebrew has two main pronunciation systems: Ashkenazi and Sephardi. Israel basically uses Sephardi, but which one?! That's right, there is significant variation. One reference states that, not including dipthongs, there are 5 vowel sounds, another says 6, and another 7, and even another 10. Then there are the consonants. Some say Cheyt and Kaf are pronounced the same, some say different. Some say Ayin is pronounced, others say it's silent like Aleph. Why all this variance?

I write this to justify the seeming descrepancies in this book. The Sephardi tradition is essentially Middle Eastern and North African. This system breaks down in variations among those born and raised in Israel vs. immigrants. There is Russian, Yemenite, Romanian, and Ethiopian dialects.

The older native population in Israel generally pronounce Cheyt and Kaf differently. And they pronounce Ayin. Also, they use at least 6 vowel sounds, pronouncing Tsere as ey. But their children do not pronounce Ayin, and sound Cheyt and Kaf the same. Also, they only use 5 vowel sounds.

There is one evidence of the transition. While many pronounce Tsere the same as Seghol (as in "bet"), when the tsere syllable is closed by Aleph or He, it is pronounced as a long 'a' (as in "they"). This may be what has occurred in this book, like another book I have. Seghol may also be pronounced 'ey' if the syllable is closed by He.

So it is likely that this book is correct for the dialect it represents. There is much flux at this time. It appears, though, that the 5-vowel system is winning out, Ayin is becoming unpronounced, and no distinction is being made between Cheyt and Kaf.

The bottom line is that once one has used a particular book like this, if they intend to progress, they will have to immerse into the language and culture. Living in America, the student will then likely swing to Ashkenazi pronunciation (which is spoken here conversationally), meaning that when they go to Israel, they will have difficulties. As with learning any language, adjustment is constant, even for the native speaker

If you want to learn Modern Hebrew, this text is fine. But, as with ANY book, be prepared to grow with the language, the local dialect, etc.

Nice but very basic. Some transliteration problems........2002-09-01

I bought this book to help a friend learn Hebrew. This is a nice book, but the English transliterations are flawed, and that's what I had the most trouble with.

First of all, the book tells you that the tsere is prounounced "ay", when actually, in the modern spoken Hebrew of Israel, it is pronounced like eh in red. Plus it goes on to transliterate the tsere inconsistantly (sometimes as "eh", sometimes as ay).

Shva is the same way. When it's not silent, it's transliterated as 'e'...but sometimes as "ay". (Shva is never pronounced "ay".)

HEBREW: In 10 Minutes A Day [[Paperback] 1988]
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HEBREW: In 10 Minutes A Day [[Paperback] 1988]
Kristine Kershul M.A.
Manufacturer: Sunset
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MKMJNY

Hebrew in 10 Minutes a Day
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Hebrew in 10 Minutes a Day
Kristine K. Kershul
Manufacturer: GAZELLE BOOK SERVICE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K7LZ8Y

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Hebrew in 10 Minutes a Day
Kristine Kershul
Manufacturer: Bilingual Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: B000PM8R44

Product Description

This book is designed to be used a little a day, everyday, instead of all at once. To help your progress in learning the language, the book comes with sticky labels to apply on common objects, flash cards for review, sample menus for easy dining and a laminated foldable "Pocket Pal" with key words to be easily used for reference.

Artist's Materials: All the Materials You Will Ever Need to Make Art
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A comprehensive, in-depth guide to the range of materials

Artist's Materials: All the Materials You Will Ever Need to Make Art
Lorrainne Harrison
Manufacturer: Firefly Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Reference | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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Drawing From Life: The Journal as Art

ASIN: 1552979954

Book Description

A comprehensive and useful handbook for all artists.

Artist's Materials is a detailed, accessible and comprehensive reference to all the materials available for drawing and painting. The book provides a brief history of the materials focusing on those that have been used for generations -- such as oil paint and ink -- and art surfaces such as paper, canvas, wood and others. Each material is discussed in terms of cost, suitability, and drying times.

The book covers every medium in detail along with illustrated techniques and tools:

Brushes of every size, shape and bristle type

Pencils, graphite sticks and powders, charcoal and felt pens

Pens and inks for drawing and calligraphy

Pastels: soft, hard, oil, pencil and conté sticks

Watercolor effects, papers and media

Gouache, tempera and powder paints

Acrylics; Liquitex acrylics and modeling media

Oils, additives, glazing and more

Mixed media combinations that work.

Detailed descriptions explain how to get the best results and avoid problems.

Tips and hints from professional artists are featured along with illustrations showing the materials being used. Examples of masterpieces by Goya, Pollock, and others accompany each section.

Artist's Materials is a must-have technical manual and creative reference for artists at any level of experience.

Customer Reviews:

A comprehensive, in-depth guide to the range of materials .......2005-05-10

Artists receive a comprehensive, in-depth guide to the range of materials used today, from applicability to specific kinds of projects to various techniques specific to different mediums, from blending and mixing colors to layering applications on different papers. What sets Lorraine Harrison's Artist's Materials: All The Materials You Will Ever Need To Make Art apart from competitors is a powerful visual approach which illustrates the results of techniques and materials applications.

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