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Rating: 
Summary: Not as smart as it looks!
Review: A helpful book, but helpful only to understand macroeconomic analysis, by interpreting indicator results, etc.
HOWEVER, the author doesn't sound like he's got enough experience in equity and fixed income market trading. Unfortunately, he tries too hard to portray himself as a veteran trader in the book.
I'd recommend for him to stay with economics.
Rating: 
Summary: Ivory Tower? Hardly...
Review: I do not consider myself sufficiently qualified to discuss this book in terms of its possible value to individual investors. Each reader must make that determination for herself or himself. But I can suggest that Navarro provides a thoughtful and well-written perspective on investing within the context of global as well as domestic developments. The title suggests that when natural and/or human forces create a shortage of some kind, providers of whatever seems likely to be in short supply will benefit. Therefore, if the given providers are publicly-traded companies, a purchase of their stock may be desirable. However, obviously, rigorous due diligence on each of such companies must first be completed. There are certain situations in which what I call "blind hog" companies find an occasional "acorn" and their value is only temporarily increased. Because market conditions can change so quickly, short-term investments require constant scrutiny. Timing is of critical importance. (When asked how he was able to earn so much money from his Wall Street investments, Bernard Baruch is reported to have replied, "Because I always sold too soon.") The value of mid-term and long-term investments may fluctuate over an extended period of time as they are involved in what could be a sorting out process. Different criteria for measuring the value of their stock are needed. Any investor in publicly-traded stocks must have a "game plan" which is appropriate to his or her specific objectives, resources, etc. I cannot rate this book Five Stars because, as indicated previously, I do not consider myself sufficiently qualified to comment on certain quite specific technical and legal as well as economic factors. (For that reason, in effect, the author is being penalized a Star.) I enjoyed reading this book. I found it thought-provoking. Ultimately, it remains for more knowledgeable reviewers to address issues beyond my expertise. Navarro got me thinking about a much larger context within which to formulate investment strategies. For that, I am grateful. One final point: Those who are unwilling and/or unable to commit the necessary time and energy to their stock investments should either not make them or entrust them to a VERY carefully selected advisor.
Rating: 
Summary: Quite a good and interesting book for beginners
Review: I have always been skeptical of trading or investment books with very "marketing" titles. Quite to my surprise, this book really delivers what it's title promised, that it can really be taken as a "guide" to profiting from news and other market-moving events. In fact, this is a fundamental/macro-economics analysis book with an attractive and practical title. Distinguishing itself from others, it is full of lively and vivid examples that readers can easily put the propositions into practice, with little modification, though the result is not guaranteed in this increasing competitive market. Nevertheless, the if X, buy 1 and if Y, sell 2 approach can really speed up the learning curve of nearly all beginners. One drawback: Although the author did mention the many "traps" in the market, the tone of these warnings was too light compared to the rosy picture painted by the author himself on the effectiveness of his approach. As I mentioned before, there are more and more traps nowsadays with the increasing employment of derivatives by professional traders. I think that the author should elaborate more on this respect. Anyway, worth price and the time.
Rating:
Summary: Quite a good and interesting book for beginners
Review: I have always been skeptical of trading or investment books with very "marketing" titles. Quite to my surprise, this book really delivers what it's title promises, that it can really be taken as a "guide" to profit from news and other market-moving events.
In fact, this is a book of fundamental/macro-economics analysis. Distinguishing itself from others, it is full of lively and vivid examples that readers can easily put the propositions into practice, with little modification, though the result is not guaranteed in this increasingly competitive market. Nevertheless, the if X, buy 1 and if Y, sell 2 approach can really speed up the learning curve of nearly all beginners.
One drawback: Although the author did mention the many "traps" in the market, the tone of these warnings was too light compared to the rosy pictures painted by the author himself on the effectiveness of his approach. As I mentioned before, there are more and more traps nowadays with the increasing employment of derivatives by professional traders. I think that the author should elaborate more on this respect.
Anyway, worth the price and the time.
Rating:
Summary: Something for Everyone
Review: Just finished the book today and would comfortably recommend it to beginning and experienced investors and traders. The author does a great job of explaining market cycles, economic indicators, and basic sector rotation. It is an easy read and has good examples of fictional characters and their investment decisions both good and bad.
Rating:
Summary: Not as smart as it looks!
Review: Navarro is a very knowledgable man and I studied under him at UC Irvine. The book is a wonderful example of how macroeconomic forces work in the world and it encourages you to take an overview of the business world and see linkages between cause and effect. However , In the later chapters the book gets boring and tends to meander . It focusses too much on the US business world and in an increasingly interconnected world , this book might need a revision. Overall a great read and recommended !
Rating:
Summary: A Very Timely Investors Book
Review: This book is unlike any investment book I've read. It finally explains in quite clear terms how broader events -- what the author calls "macrowaves" -- move the stock market. I'm finding this kind of perspective very helpful in understanding the dramatic fall in the stock market (particularly the NASDAQ) over the last year and half. It should be very helpful in my portfolio planning -- and protecting my assets. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent treatment of macroeconomic investing
Review: This book was a very unexpected pleasure. I thought that I would get just a book to help me with my stock market trading. But this book has also helped me sort out all of the various affects of the terrorist attack and subsequent war in Afghanistan on the economy as well. It's a whole new way of thinking about the world. As a long time investor and business executive, I've found that If It's Raining in Brazil, Buy Starbucks useful on two counts. Read it and prosper.
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Summary: Profit from Interpretations of economic report and news
Review: This is the best book I've ever read on the topic of interpretations on macro economic factors that drive the market. Many books and textbooks are cut and dry, and in the end they are theories. An example would be: an economic report may come out, but the market is responding in the exact opposite way based on standard economic theory, however the understanding of why the market is reacting in that way requires the correct interpretation based on economic(business) cycles and such. The theories may be correct, however it also depends on other factors as well. The author emphasizes the markets as a chess board rather than a simple checkboard. I for one agree.
Rating:
Summary: Very succinct, and to the point.
Review: Very succinct, and to the point. The book presents a not quite original, however, very well articulated study of examining macroeconomic trends, indicators, and `pure' economics, to add value to investment forecasting and technique. The work is simply explained, focuses directly on the core issues, and leaves the reader with a thorough understanding of how important macro-trends, sector analysis, and studying economic indicators are to successful investing.
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