Rating:  Summary: Something there, but Take with a Grain of Salt Review: On first blush Harry Dent looks like a genius. After all, years before everyone talked mutual funds and daytrading he predicted a stock market bonanza. What's easy to forget, though, is that in his earlier book (admittedly, I only read one and it was years ago so I'm a little sketchy on the details) there were lots of predictions--such what would happen to Asian economies-- which turned out to be way off the mark. No doubt, there is something to Dent's boomers- leading-the-economic-boom theory, but any theory that simplicistic, is well, overly simplicistic. I, for one, wouldn't throw caution to the wind and take his recommendations blindly. For an excellent book on creating a truly satisfying financial life (both fiscally and emotionally) no matter what happens in the coming millenium, check out my new favorite recommendation: The Mindful Money Guide. It succicntly, but comprehensively covers a wide range of money issues; The author isn't afraid to take a stand. Don't let the serious-sounding title scare you, it's entertaining.
Rating:  Summary: Pandering to the "greed" in all of us... Review: Readers would be better served by reading "The Intelligent Asset Allocator", which has the same core recommendations with regard to saving and investing, but much harder data on asset allocation (which provides >85% of the explanatory variable in overall portfolio returns according to most academic studies), following those recommendations instead, and then going out and just living their lives instead of vainly seeking some "new life around the corner, if only I had another $(fill in the blanks) million" by spending their hard-earned money on these investment book du jours.
Rating:  Summary: Has some fine observations, but is overly optimistic. Review: The book contains some insightful points about the underlying forces that drive economies such as ours. I really liked the way he fused together a good argument using population dynamics (alternating generation cycles) and market penetration of new technologies (S-Curves) for why we may experience a boom in the early 2000's. Another good observation on Dent's part (although he struggles to explained it at first) is what he terms the new network organization model for business. His chapter on spotting real-estate trends was informative, so was the last chapter on investment strategies.Some of the things I didn't like (and why I didn't give the book a higher rating): 1) Constant references to his last book regarding key ideas and terminology. 2) Lack of specific references for further independent research (this really hurts his arguments for he cites many studies throughout the text) 3) What appears to be a lack of consideration for some other historical events that spurred change (for example WWII had a major role in the spurring of certain new technologies). 4) His incredible optimism that events will unfold exactly as described, in the time frame mentioned. 5) Some parts of the book seem either like old news or self-evident (see his explaination on page 251 of why some declining neighborhoods regenerate). Overall, it's a good read and one will find Dent's ideas and philosophy interesting. I hope his vision comes true (for all of us).
Rating:  Summary: YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK Review: This is another outstanding book by Harry S. Dent Jr. It is provocative and sometimes startling, yet based on a thorough and solid analysis of demographic trends. This is not extrapolation. Is the future always as we predict it" Not! But it is hard to argue with the trends in The Roaring 2000s. YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK. The sections on how the Internet will change our lives are among the best I have seen, and the forecasts for the Dow and real estate will open your eyes (and maybe your pocketbook!). But take heed of his predictions for ten years out and become conservative again. Is this hard to believe? Yes, because we suffer from "stalls" described in "The 2,000 Percent Solution" by Mitchell , Coles and Metz. They keep us from integrating new information, like The Roaring 2000s ideas, to change and reach greater success. What are these stalls? The Communications Stall (This message is confusing), The Disbelief Stall (The Dow at 35,000! Never), The Tradition Stall (We'll invest the way we always have), The Bureaucratic Stall (too many unproductive activities to spend time on these ideas) and The Misconception Stall (It's based on bad data and assumptions). But then, the book goes on to teach you how to achieve many new 2,000 percent solutions to progress at 20 times the rate you thought possible. To really succeed in the 2,000s, you must put these books together: The Roaring 2000s and The 2,000 Percent Solution!
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