a john c. bogle book for a lad

[fidelio]

my son is a 25-year-old musician, but a bright lad, and he has shown some interest in money and investments recently. he has a b.f.a. but little or no background in economics or markets. he actually sat through a lengthy exposition of the index funds in which i have my roth ira invested. i am hoping a few bogleheads will step forward and suggest one of mr. bogle's books for me to give him -- he seems to have written about 40! what we need here is something pretty introductory, on investing. i'm trying to steer him away from his mother's evil full-price broker, and put him on a path of eventually being able to confidently direct his own investment life .... thanks!!

[og15F1]

I can't believe there are no answers to this

Without a doubt I'd recommend this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Commo ... 0470102101

It's short and simple, but powerful

Purchase it through the Amazon.com link on this page

[Sunflower]

The book I have recommended and continue to recommend is the Coffeehouse Investor, a very straightforward and easy read. Although not written by Bogle it's by Bill Schultheis -- very much a Boglehead and member here. It's been recently updated.

[Fallible]

I can't believe there are no answers to this

Without a doubt I'd recommend this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Commo ... 0470102101

It's short and simple, but powerful

Purchase it through the Amazon.com link on this page

Agreed. A great book for investors just starting out and for experienced investors needing a reminder of the basics.

[buzzlight]

Great book, got it from local library and finished it. Now I plan to buy it and keep it For life.

[asset_chaos]

Bogle's "little" book is great. You might also consider William Bernstein's "4 Pillars of Investing" http://www.efficientfrontier.com/t4poi/t4poi.htm, which is also good and is specifically aimed at people like your son.

[leo383]

I suggest Random Walk by Malkiel, Coffeehouse by Schulteis, and the investment books by Andrew Tobias.

Bogle's books, imo, are a little heavy for beginners. Don't want to frighten him off.

[Taylor Larimore]

Fidelio:

I am hoping a few bogleheads will step forward and suggest one of Mr. Bogle's books for me to give him.

I own all of Mr. Bogle's books. Based on the information you provided, Mr. Bogle's Little Book of Common Sense Investing should be ideal and will "steer him away from his mother's evil full-price broker." This is Mr. Bogle's shortest book but it is chock-full of common sense advice like this:

Excerpts from The Little Book of Common Sense Investing

Best wishes.
Taylor

[fidelio]

thanks all. you'll be happy to know i gave the lad the little red book of common sense investing, which he stated he would read. now all he needs is something to invest .....

[Fallible]

thanks all. you'll be happy to know i gave the lad the little red book of common sense investing, which he stated he would read. now all he needs is something to invest .....

The book will immediately introduce him to Warren Buffett ("investing is simple but not easy") and since Buffett is always worth a read, maybe you could have a Buffett book ready to recommend to him after "Common Sense." Just a suggestion.

[SurfCityBill]

my son is a 25-year-old musician, but a bright lad,

Not to pick on you but I found your choice of words amusing. The implication being that musicians by nature are not very bright.

[fidelio]

well, i have the right, having served in the bar bands in the 70s.

perhaps you haven't heard some of the classic musician tales:

"what is a bass player w/o a girlfriend?"
homeless

"how do you know if the stage is level?"
drool comes out of both sides of the drummer's mouth equally.

etc.

[c00kie]

my son is a 25-year-old musician, but a bright lad,

Not to pick on you but I found your choice of words amusing. The implication being that musicians by nature are not very bright.

Yes, I got quite a chuckle on that one also.

Cookie

[mgcfo]

In addition to the above, Millionaire Teacher is a great read.

[abuss368]

Fidelio:

I am hoping a few bogleheads will step forward and suggest one of Mr. Bogle's books for me to give him.

I own all of Mr. Bogle's books. Based on the information you provided, Mr. Bogle's Little Book of Common Sense Investing should be ideal and will "steer him away from his mother's evil full-price broker." This is Mr. Bogle's shortest book but it is chock-full of common sense advice like this:

Excerpts from The Little Book of Common Sense Investing

Best wishes.
Taylor

I too have all of Mr. Bogle's books. This would be my recommendation as well. This book is one of my favorite.

Best.

[fidelio]

my son is a 25-year-old musician, but a bright lad,

Not to pick on you but I found your choice of words amusing. The implication being that musicians by nature are not very bright.

Yes, I got quite a chuckle on that one also.

Cookie

well, in reality, he's classically trained, so not at all a numskull like his dad ....