Rating: 
Summary: Valuable signal
Review: 5 stars for publishing this book: when cabdrivers start giving investment tips, or when books like this get published, that's a very clear signal it's time to get out of the stock market.
As for valuable contents, I prefer "Contrarian investing" by Anthony Gallea.
Rating:
Summary: Superior Explanation of Why Markets Rise AND Fall
Review: Any book that suggests the Dow may reach 100,000 in the coming decades might well be dismissed by those who see the market's only 1/10 of that level today and who've seen the market plunge 17% in the two months ending March 2000. But that would be a mistake, because this excellent book explains, in essential terms, why markets rise AND why they fall. Kadlec demonstrates that the stock market rises in a context of sound money, low marginal tax rates, minimal regulation and free trade. That's a healthy policy mix. In a succinct and convincing manner, Kadlec summarizes the history of how the market is affected by such a policy mix. He cites and presents abundant evidence without overwhelming the reader. Although Kadlec is an optimist, he's no perpetual bull. For he also shows how a punitive policy mix can cause market plunges of the kind we've seen recently. A major component of bad policy is Fed rate hikes. This book is a rare treat because it's written with a deep knowledge and appreciation of supply-side economics and with focused attention on the actual market impact of policies that are either consistent or inconsistent with supply-side premises and policies. Kadlec explains how we can have rapid growth without inflation, a combination seen, for years, as "mysterious" and "unsustainable" by non-supply-siders. And Kadlec performs an invaluable service for investors when he questions the prevailing myth of market irrationality and "bubbles." Markets fall, he suggests, not because participants suddenly become irrational, but because they're burdened with irrational policies. There exist a few good books on supply-side economics. And many more books exist on the stock market, some good, but most bad. This is the only book written in the past decade that combines and integrates both supply-side economics and market performance. Since supply-side economics explains the economic-financial world better than other schools of economics (Keynesian and Monetarist) and since supply-siders tend to have a better track record assessing the markets, no investor should pass up this opportunity to absorb Kadlec's fascinating analyses and insights. Since investors need to know how policy affects their portfolios, for good OR ill, they need this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Reading........Yet Misses Key Point
Review: I have found it of great interest to read this book for the first time after 3 years of down or sideways market movement. The author's discussion about how terrorist attacks could decrease the chances for his rosy scenario increase the believability of the basic ideas presented.......why the economy and market should be expected to move either up or down. The key idea presented.......that freedom is the key to economic well being.......was the most important factor highlighted by the author when the book was written......and rings even louder today. The obvious temptation to criticize the premise (Dow 100,000 in 20 years) is tempered by the realization that, over the remaining 17 or 18 years, it is plausible to catch up to the 11 percent annual growth rate required to reach the arbitrary target. However, the author fails to address the basic demographics of the American economy......which will be the rapid decrease in the Boomers and their money. It appears that the author may be counting on Social Security privitazation to replace the flood of 401K funds that I believe has been the primary fuel driving the herd of the bulls during the 17 year run from 1982 to 1999. The author fails to discuss his most fundamental assumption relative to market performance ......that post baby-boomers will buy into the story so successfully used to convince the boomers to pour 401k funny money into the market. "The Story", repeated at the beginning of the book, is that the stock market "historically" has risen an average of 11 or 12 or whatever percent.......and can be expected to continue given the proper feeding of tax cuts and other positive news. The author fails to consider that the past rates of increase occurred for the most part when; (1) Dividend rates were much higher and (2) Price-earning ratios were much lower. In essence, new "investors" must belive that it is reasonable to trade their money for stocks that basically pay close to zero current returns (dividends). The only rationale for this leap of faith is a belief in the history of pyramid schemes and chain letters......the greater fool theory of investing.
Rating:
Summary: Useful applications for all investors -- new or experienced.
Review: I highly recommend Dow 100,000 Fact or Fiction by Charles W. Kadlec. This well-researched work clearly and concisley maps out a blueprint for a period of unprecedented economic prosperity. In a nutshell, Kadlec points to numerous wealth-creating domestic and global trends which should continue to strengthen during the next century. These demographic, economic, and political forces are explained in a common sense approach that both the novice and seasoned investor could appreciate and, more importantly, apply to their investment decisions. While the title surely provides ammunition for the bears among us, Kadlec deflects the ammunition by not taking a pollyanna approach. The risks to achieving prosperity are clearly defined and explained. Finally, Kadlec includes practical strategies for creating and maintaining wealth during this unique period. Kadlec's vision of the future is predicated on the escalation of individual freedom and choice. Reading this book will provide excellent preparation in order to take advantage of this exciting new era.
Rating:
Summary: Dow 100000 is fiction but deserves 5 stars for sheer comedy!
Review: I wonder how the authors of this misleading piece of pap feel now? Frighteningly, they're probably still convinced that they're right. Unfortunately many small investors were suckered into believing that money could grow on trees by this and similar pieces of nonsense, and have now seen savings and pensions annihilated. The amazon.com blurb above has some revealing lines - stocks 'only' need to grow by 11.1% a year in value for the next 20 years for the Dow to reach 100,000. 'Only' 11.1%/year!!!!! Outstripping real growth in the economy by 'only' 5 to 1!!!! Give me a break. Baby boomers want to have a prosperous retirement? OK, I'm sure they do, but that doesn't mean they can create real value where none exists by rushing lemming like into the stockmarket. Or the housing market, for that matter. People love to think they can get rich just by magic, but that's not the way the world works. There'll always be a sucker who'll fall for the latest get rich quick scheme. Unfortunately books like this encourage people to fall for them in their thousands. How smug I feel to have kept my savings in cash for the past few years! Dutch Tulips! Dutch Tulips!
Rating:
Summary: Dow 100000 is fiction but deserves 5 stars for sheer comedy!
Review: I wonder how the authors of this misleading piece of pap feel now? Frighteningly, they're probably still convinced that they're right. Unfortunately many small investors were suckered into believing that money could grow on trees by this and similar pieces of nonsense, and have now seen savings and pensions annihilated. The amazon.com blurb above has some revealing lines - stocks 'only' need to grow by 11.1% a year in value for the next 20 years for the Dow to reach 100,000. 'Only' 11.1%/year!!!!! Outstripping real growth in the economy by 'only' 5 to 1!!!! Give me a break. Baby boomers want to have a prosperous retirement? OK, I'm sure they do, but that doesn't mean they can create real value where none exists by rushing lemming like into the stockmarket. Or the housing market, for that matter. People love to think they can get rich just by magic, but that's not the way the world works. There'll always be a sucker who'll fall for the latest get rich quick scheme. Unfortunately books like this encourage people to fall for them in their thousands. How smug I feel to have kept my savings in cash for the past few years! Dutch Tulips! Dutch Tulips!
Rating: 
Summary: Let's Go Crazy!
Review: In the pantheon of economic theorists, we have to give the author of this book a special place right next to Arthur Laffer, whose "Laffer's curve" was so inspirational (or should I say delusional) in the Reagan era. Kadlec argues for reducing the tax burden on the super-wealthy with charts that purport to show that taxing the rich really harms the middle- and lower-income classes. Well, that should merit him a luncheon at the White House with Ken Lay and Leona Helmsley. What it won't get him is any credibility. I don't believe in book burning per se, but if I noticed this book on a pyre somewhere, I would not rush to save it from the flames.
Rating:
Summary: Not enough solid evidence
Review: Kadlec base his thesis of Dow reaching 100,000 by observing the correlations between some economic indicators and the Dow performance. While there is nothing wrong with that, I am somehow disappointed with the lack of more indept economic theory in supporting his claim. I have expected more rigorous studies to support his forecast.
Rating:
Summary: Dow 100,000 Fiction
Review: This book is written for the conservative Republican investment community and assumes that the conservative economic agenda has economics all knocked up. There is a plethora of traditional economic theory and an abundance of digs at non-conservative concepts, including Clinton and Carter, which seems more like an inside joke amongst the conservative investment community than any real economic concept, and it really detracts from any attempt at a balanced presentation. If the book is correct and the politicians follow this advice, the investment community will make a fortune as Social Security funds are invested with the conservative investment community. So perhaps it is self-serving. No consideration is given to the effect of a market downturn or crash on such a method of providing for retirement. With every investor pumping his Social Security funds into the stock market and providing for his own retirement, the naive or inept or unfortunate will be financially devastated in a major recession in a Conservative Darwinist Survival-of-the-fittest World. But that's their bleepin' problem. To support its thesis that the Dow will rise to 100,000 over the next 20 years it assumes that few problems could occur and that taxes will continue to fall producing a giant tax cut. Totally ignored is the issue of how government services will be provided with this massive downsizing. So, to me at least, the book is naive, pollyanna-ish, and portrays such a rosy scenario that it is more like "Economics on Valium". The investment community is now telling us that the Stock Market is riskless. That totally flies in the face of history, theory, credibility, and reality. Watch your wallet!
Rating: 
Summary: IT IS FICTION NOT FACT
Review: This book was a disappointment in three aspects yet has some redeeming value. First, I think highly of Ralph Acampora as he has been right on the market direction for the past ten or so years and near target for the DOW. The way the book is portrayed makes one think that it is a joint effort by Acampora and Kadlec. That is not the case since Acampora only provides the forward and does not provide any caution to the optimism of Kadlec. Second, the author does exactly like every economist I have ever read and projects current trends out forever. They never see the turn until it is a fact and then project that new change forever once again. It is inconceivable that we can have twenty years of the same growth we have had the last two or three years. We will have five presidential elections, at lease a couple of Federal Chairmen, several Treasury Secretaries, a different demographic mix, and untold changes to the congress and senate. This and the numerous changes in leadership in the other countries of the world made it a challenge to predict even five years much less twenty years and only see the market soar each year. Russia used to have a seven year plan. Look at what has happened to that projection. The author is taking a long shop bet that I will bet does not happen. Third, the author does a lot of "chest thumping" about his personal assignments at the he will highly advertise in the last chapters. The "chest thumping is O.K. if it did not turn out to be just a advertising gimmick where you buy the advertising. I am surprised that the publisher would allow such commercialism in one of their books. The redeeming portion of the book was that portion pertaining to how increased world freedoms will increase trade and wealth. Also, the three "signpost" outlined are helpful and reasonable. His reasoning and historical data are convincing in support of these "signpost" yet he then offers five possible detours to the goal of a 100,000 DOW. Five detours and three signpost. I think the detours will become a derailment therefore we will not attain DOW 100,000 in just twenty years. Yes , we will reach DOW 100,000 but not on Kadlec's time schedule therefore his projection is fiction not fact to answer his book title. CONCLUSION: I paid too much for commercial advertising
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