Rating:  Summary: like it or hate it Review: As an english and philosophy major, I thought I was destined for grad school and a PhD. Then, in my sophomore year, I thumbed through a copy of this book lying on my buddy's dorm room floor. I'll admit I have a sentimental feeling for this book that makes my review of it less than objective, because it started me on a new career path and opened me up to the possibilities of trading. In hindsight, the book could be better (certain descriptions could be added to, observations and highlights of a certain female companion could be toned down). Rogers strikes me as the type of guy who has earned the right to be arrogant. Some will like him and appreciate him for his observations and accomplishments, while others will see him as an arrogant jerk regardless of what he's done. I think this is a book you will either like or hate, depending on your reaction to Rogers' personality and your motivations for reading it.
Rating:  Summary: Investment Boner? Review: As a BMW motorcyclist and long-distance touring afficionado, I found the book diverting as a travelogue. However, it became annoying as a the author's self promotion, not only professionally but personally, began to intrude. Mr. Rogers siezed every opportunity to remind us that his travelling companion, Ms. Estabrook, was not merely a platonic friend. This apparently needed to be alluded to often, as she had thoughtfully prepared for the journey by actually taking motorcycle repair classes, and would probably otherwise have been mistaken for a mechanic rather than a tootsie. By way of example, he helpfully lists "birth control pills" rather than the boringly generic "prescription medications" in his travelers' packing checklist appendix. If Viagra had been available at the time, one wonders if it would have merited special mention as well?
Rating:  Summary: Almost the best predictor I have seen Review: Reading the book now might be even better than reading it after it first came out. Enough time has passed for one to judge the accuracy of his predictions. I have found his predictions to be pretty accurate. I look forward to reading everything thing that this man ever writes in the future. For a preview on Rogers' excellent writings search out his web site!
Rating:  Summary: THE best book I have ever read on investing Review: I have read dozens of books on investments, and so far, this book is the best I have ever read. Comparing with Peter(Lynch) and Warren (Buffett), Jim Rogers' style will generate much higher return over the years, simply because he invests abroad, and there are more opportunities abroad (at least in the next a few decades or so). Peter and Warren are good investors, but Jim Rogers is much better. This book should be a must read for anyone who is serious in investing. Using Warren's words, "The intrinsic value of the book is well above its listed price. Therefore, this book is seriously undervalued." :)
Rating:  Summary: I loved it! Review: This was a great read. I loved his insights into economics and the world in general, but the bike trip itself was interesting as hell.
Rating:  Summary: Another Ugly American Abroad Review: I heard about this book when it first came out, but wasn't interested in subject or author so never read it. Then I saw notice of his third wedding (not to his travel companion Tabitha, but another blonde that he'd just traveled with. This time in a car, customized, of course.) and mention of the book. I decided to buy it. Was put off by his arrogant, obnoxious style. I just skimmed through it and passed it on to a friend. A waste of money and my time.
Rating:  Summary: watch out Review: be advised that "...on the road with JR" and "...around the world with JR" are in fact the SAME book. (hardcover / paperback)
Rating:  Summary: Remarkably gripping. Review: I was somewhat surprised at how engrossed I became in this. I enjoyed the travel descriptions in part because they were so brief---where some authors might have expanded to cover full chapters, Rogers writes a single paragraph. It's unlike many travel books, but has a delight of its own. As for his views on investment opportunities, even his more outrageous ideas (Alaska, the Yukon, Western Canada and the North West US all seceding to create a new country?) are interesting for their novelty, while some of his observations make a lot of sense (I've long had his positive opinion of Botswana, and his theories of the reosurces of Siberia being exploited through Chinese labor and Japanese capital are not a crazy bet).
Rating:  Summary: Good investor, bad motorcyclist... Review: Had I not already read the motorcycle adventures of Ted Simon and Helge Pederson, this book might have impressed me. Since these three gentlemen were traveling many of the same roads, it was easy to compare their different experiences. Simon and Pederson seemed to really become a part of their surroundings and experiences whereas Rogers was just a tourist on a motorcycle. His money and ego seemed to insulate him from the journey. I did enjoy his take on the world's economy, but I think all that could have been separated out into another book. It was also clear that he did not do his homework before embarking on his journey. Even after somehow making it through Siberia and realizing that he had picked the wrong bikes, he buys another RT for Tabitha instead of buying two new GS BMWs. And how did he not know that Pederson had indeed come through the Darien Gap on his BMW only a few years before Rogers decided to take the easy way around (as usual)? And finally, for Tabitha, I hope she found someone else...
Rating:  Summary: Great Book Review: Outstanding book that taught me as much about world economic systems as traveling. It motivated me to travel to Africa 16 months ago.
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