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Rating: 
Summary: A must - even for experts
Review: I have read lots of books about behavioral decision-making and behavioral finance. When I bought the book I initally expected it being similar like many other books covering this subject. But while I was reading I just could not stop, though I found many examples I knew already. But the style of Bazerman's writing attracted me (though English is not my mother language) so much, that I studied the book from the first to the last page. The examples of bounded rationality of many human decisions and its 'sub-optimal' if not sometimes costly results are very well explained. The solutions to improve the decision-making processes are presented very clearly at the end of each chapter. For those who work in the area of behavioral decsion-making or behavioral finance the book is an excellent comprehension and an 'add-on' to the basics that are partially covered in other publications. For beginners the contents is easy to understand: The examples deal with important decision problems everyone of us is confronted with at least once in her/his lifetime. If people try to follow Bazerman's advices, they probably will not only imrpove reasoning, but might save some money at the next purchase of a new car or at other occasions. Most important for me was the description about the value of time.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed with focus
Review: It starts with interesting but simplistic common sense advice about buying houses and cars, then falls flat. The author never seems to be settled on whether he wants to help consumers or large companies. And much of the advice is weak. In the fourth chapter, for instance, after making a hopelessly simplistic but somewhat credible case against buying title insurance when buying a house, he forgets to include the vital fact that the seller pays for title insurance in almost all cases. Later in the book he gets lost in his own story about budweiser without making any point at all. Like so many books about finance, this book has two flaws. It does not have enough content to warrant a full book, even a skinny one like this. When it does start to wade into deeper water, one senses the heavy hand of an editorial assistant, too weak in the comprehension of numbers, trimming and constricting the story to the point that the reader can't find the significance of its message.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed with focus
Review: It starts with interesting but simplistic common sense advice about buying houses and cars, then falls flat. The author never seems to be settled on whether he wants to help consumers or large companies. And much of the advice is weak. In the fourth chapter, for instance, after making a hopelessly simplistic but somewhat credible case against buying title insurance when buying a house, he forgets to include the vital fact that the seller pays for title insurance in almost all cases. Later in the book he gets lost in his own story about budweiser without making any point at all. Like so many books about finance, this book has two flaws. It does not have enough content to warrant a full book, even a skinny one like this. When it does start to wade into deeper water, one senses the heavy hand of an editorial assistant, too weak in the comprehension of numbers, trimming and constricting the story to the point that the reader can't find the significance of its message.
Rating:
Summary: Holy Moly, this book helps!
Review: Read the whole book last night. I consider myself reasonably savvy when it comes to negotiating and thinking about how I spend money. But this book demonstrates the common money decision mistakes that even smart people make. Why not know what the car salesmen or realtors know about this stuff? I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Read it, but do not expect to solve your financial problems
Review: This book from Prof. Bazerman is very interesting and give us some useful hints about money management and negociation in general. Some ideas about our mistakes (for instance our tendency to possess inappropriately positive assessments of ourselves and our tendency to overweigth vivid information) can guide us through everyday life. But do not expect miracles.
Rating: 
Summary: A fairly decent overall book on personal finance
Review: This book receives a fair grade with regard to personal finance. At times I found the book to be a bit mundane. Check it out at the library and skim it before you buy.
Rating:
Summary: A fairly decent overall book on personal finance
Review: This book receives a fair grade with regard to personal finance. At times I found the book to be a bit mundane. Check it out at the library and skim it before you buy.
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