All Consuming : pbundon

Why I recommend "Tong: The Story of Tong Louie, Vancouvers Quiet Titan"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Tue, 16 May 2006 07:27:46 GMT

Tong: The Story of Tong Louie, Vancouvers Quiet Titan

by Ernest Perrault

I enjoy reading stories of people that had to make their own way in the world, particularly in business. I had heard a little about HY Louie Co in the past when I unearthed the successful enterprise behind London Drugs.

This book begins with a short background on Hok Yat Louie – the first generation of the family in Canada and then accounts for Tong Louie’s early life, schooling and eventual rise to success and recognition in the Vancouver community. It’s illuminating to hear accounts of rascism and prejudice in all levels of Canadian society at the time, especially among prominent politicians.

I really enjoyed this biography. I read it in one sitting, which is exceedingly rare for me in this age of constant distraction. It’s worth reading for insight into the history of Chinese in BC. And also for insight into the hard work, restraint, and values that can help lead a company to success.

A story about "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 07:18:30 GMT

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion

by Robert B. Cialdini

Great book. It can help you identify the mental-shortcuts in your reasoning process that sales and marketing staff use to their advantage. Sales folks leverage this to impair our ability to make rational decisions. Reading on this topic can help you to see through a sales pitch and make an informed and rational decision when it is required.

A story about "Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits and Other Writings"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 23:43:55 GMT

Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits and Other Writings

by Philip A. Fisher

this is a great book. I highly recommend it to anyone that wants to rise above the level of a horse’s ass in the investing sphere.

I had the version with the appendix: Key factors in evaluating promising firms. A great summary in 4 or 5 pages.

A story about "When Genius Failed : The Rise and Fall of Long-Term Capital Management"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 23:38:59 GMT

When Genius Failed : The Rise and Fall of Long-Term Capital Management

by Roger Lowenstein

This is an interesting look into the financial lanscape of the 1990’s. Lowenstein places you in the midst of John Meriwether’s bond arbitrage group at Salomon just as JM is leaving to start LTCM. It details the relationships between LTCM and the large banks and shows how the large banks’ unwillingness to forgo any potential profit from LTCM led them to cave into it’s demands for higher and higher amounts of leverage on it’s trades – the major contributor to LTCM’s meltdown.

A story about "Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 17:55:49 GMT

Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist

by Roger Lowenstein

I really enjoyed reading about Warren’s early days and the startup of his limited partnership. I’ve been reading Rise and Fall of LTCM lately and I found it fascinating to read accounts of these events from multiple viewpoints. This biography also adds some context to Warren Buffett’s actions and investment decisions. An interesting account of an interesting life.

A story about "Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes And How To Correct Them: Lessons From The New Science Of Behavioral Economics"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 05:49:36 GMT

Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes And How To Correct Them: Lessons From The New Science Of Behavioral Economics

by Gary Belsky

This book was quite interesting. It explores human psychology and how it leads to unforced errors in our financial decisions. It exposes a few examples of Munger’s mental shortcuts that can cause us much grief in our analysis. This is a great book for people that make mistakes with money but can’t understand why they do it. I certainly do not think about money in the same way as the people in his examples. for example, I never spend more when paying with credit instead of cash and I never spend my tax refund as “found money”.

A story about "Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 05:36:55 GMT

Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger

by Charles T. Munger

I can’t wait to read this. I’ve read several of Charlie’s speeches over the years – and always enjoyed his sense of humour and the clarity of his writing.

A story about "Margin of Safety: Risk-Averse Value Investing Strategies for the Thoughtful Investor"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 04:02:32 GMT

Margin of Safety: Risk-Averse Value Investing Strategies for the Thoughtful Investor

by Seth A. Klarman

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that interlibrary loan can get this for me :)

It’s selling for over $1000 on ebay :(

A story about "Kafka on the Shore"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Sun, 29 May 2005 21:50:30 GMT

Kafka on the Shore

by Haruki Murakami

I was a bit disappointed by this book. If you are a Murakami fan I encourage you to read it and make up your own mind – but borrow, don’t buy this book. If you are not already a fan please start with his earlier work.

Kafka on the Shore is missing something – it may be due to poor translation but my opinion is unqualified since I can only read in English. There was something interesting about sentence structure and rhythm in translations of earlier Murakami, namely ‘The Wind-up Bird Chronicle’. ‘Kafka’ uses too many phrases and sentence structures from North American English that give the book the wrong feeling. I compare it to watching Disney’s English dubs of “Princess Mononoke” using American voice actors.

It may simply be that Murakami’s style has changed significantly since his earlier works (late 1980s-1995.

There were aspects of “Kafka on the Shore” that I enjoyed but it does not compare favourably with his earlier novels.

A story about "Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World: A Novel (Vintage International)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Sun, 29 May 2005 21:05:50 GMT

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World: A Novel (Vintage International)

by Haruki Murakami

This is a fantastic book. One of my favourites. I would recommend starting elsewhere if new to Murakami.

A story about "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Sun, 29 May 2005 21:05:48 GMT

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle: A Novel

by Haruki Murakami

This was my introduction to Murakami. Words can’t describe how good it is.

A story about "Sputnik Sweetheart"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Sun, 29 May 2005 21:05:47 GMT

Sputnik Sweetheart

by Haruki Murakami

This book was mediocre. It wasn’t as gripping as his earlier works.

A story about "South of the Border, West of the Sun: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Sun, 29 May 2005 21:05:47 GMT

South of the Border, West of the Sun: A Novel

by Haruki Murakami

This is one of the more mediocre novels from Murakami.

A story about "The Intelligent Investor Rev Ed. (Collins Business Essentials)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Sun, 29 May 2005 21:05:46 GMT

The Intelligent Investor Rev Ed. (Collins Business Essentials)

by Benjamin Graham

A good book to read if you already have some knowledge of the investment world but are seeking a deeper understanding. Good historical perspective. I first attempted this book in 1999. I was too young, ignorant, and impatient to gain much of it at the time. Now I keep a copy near my desk.

A story about "Truth and Bright Water"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Sun, 29 May 2005 21:05:46 GMT

Truth and Bright Water

by Thomas King

This book is terrific. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry.

A story about "The Contrarian Investor's Thirteen: How to Earn Superior Returns in the Stockmarket"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Sun, 29 May 2005 21:05:46 GMT

The Contrarian Investor's Thirteen: How to Earn Superior Returns in the Stockmarket

by Benji Gallander

This a great primer for independent investors interested in contrarian techniques.

A story about "Cryptonomicon"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Sun, 29 May 2005 21:05:45 GMT

Cryptonomicon

by Neal Stephenson

A story about "The Third Policeman (John F. Byrne Irish Literature Series)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Sun, 29 May 2005 21:05:45 GMT

The Third Policeman (John F. Byrne Irish Literature Series)

by Flann O'Brien

I read this long, long ago. It’s funny, bizarre, entertaining.

A story about "The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Sun, 29 May 2005 21:05:44 GMT

The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream

by Paulo Coelho

Obviously, there are two kinds of people in this world. People that love this book for making them feel they can follow their dream and meet their destiny. And people that hate it because they are cynical people that don’t believe in fate and think anyone that talks about it is a flake.

Yes, only two types of people in the world. I like to think in simple dichotomies. They suit my simple mind.

I enjoy re-reading this book, just as I enjoy reading Saint Exupery’s “Le petit prince” every year or two. They can remind us of a few simple truths in life that are worth remembering.

A story about "The First Circle (European Classics)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Sun, 29 May 2005 21:05:44 GMT

The First Circle (European Classics)

by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

I have found this book very interesting for it’s insight into Russian life during Stalin’s rule.

Sadly, it has been left half-finished for the last 6 months. Neglected on a bedside table only 60 miles from here.

A story about "Uganda Rwenzori, A Range of Images"

nobody@allconsuming.net (pbundon) — Sun, 29 May 2005 21:05:44 GMT

Uganda Rwenzori, A Range of Images

by David Pluth

Fabulous book, amazing photography. David Pluth retraced the footsteps of Vittorio Sella through the Uganda Rwenzori range some hundred years earlier.

Amazing.