Product Description

mark shipman is a professional investor - who hopes to educate the general public about the dangers of entrusting their money and financial futures to just any so-called 'investment professional'. the other aim of his book is to introduce readers to an investment trend that he believes is going to dominate the world over the next decade - that of commodities such as coffee, cocoa, and crude oil. however, the book is intended to help readers to invest - not to help them trade. shipman believes that long-term investing is generally less stressful and usually more financially rewarding. he has learnt that it is far easier to profit from an investment's progress over months and years than it is over the next few days, hours or even minutes. this book also studies the forthcoming rise in the price of commodities - which will mean the return of high inflation and ultimately the return of high interest rates. but, shipman insists, if readers participate in the forthcoming commodity boom, they can protect themselves from the effects of high inflation and make some serious money. shipman predicts that tomorrow's new millionaires will make their fortunes, not from technology, software, the internet or property, but from commodities and commodity related business.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #171098 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 179 pages

John White, private investor
“This book is clear, concise, positive, thought-provoking and very informative.”

Review

“this is a great read for everyone whether interested or employed within the world of investment. the next big investment boom represents an extremely informative and pragmatic approach to investing as well as guiding the reader to a better understanding of a subject that otherwise may have appeared beyond them. mark really is an entrepreneur who searches out simplicity, which enhances the quality of this book.”

ray thompson, managing director, thompson & associates ltd

“with this book mark shipman provides the reader with the key to that magic door that leads to the successful world of investing.”

lol pryor, private investor

“mark shipman’s style of writing makes reading this book not only an entertaining experience but also offers an easy-to-understand and educational investment philosophy.”

karl gysin, chairman, swiss financial services ag

“this book is clear, concise, positive, thought-provoking and very informative.”

john white, private investor

“i would recommend this book to both the first time investor and the experienced professional. mark shipman is an accomplished market professional and his track record speaks for itself.”

mel mayne, managing partner, par asset management llp

“shipman is sensible enough not to promise the earth… in his view, the correct temperament for successful investors demands they see things as they are and can evaluate everything with cold, unemotional logic.”

the sunday times

“a useful addition to the private investor’s library.”

the law society gazette

“provides an a-z explanation of the terms involved and as the author suggests will help everybody gain confidence and take control of their own finances.”

executary news

“will attract the ‘armchair investor’ having a general interest in financial markets; it may also provide useful information for the professional market analyst.”

first trust bank economic outlook and business review

“commodities have traditionally been a difficult asset class for private investors to gain exposure to but new products have made access easier. mark shipman explains what to buy.”

investors chronicle

“learn the secrets of investing in commodities from a master”

the scotsman

“like all good ideas, shipman’s approach is deceptively simple. he buys when it is clear that an asset is moving upwards and he sticks with it until it is clear that it is no longer doing so…really impressive.”

the daily telegraph

“on reading it i thought it was brilliant! two people have borrowed it from me - they think it was very good too!”

gaurav sharma,

Karl Gysin, Chairman, Swiss Financial Services AG
"Mark Shipman’s style of writing makes reading this book an entertaining experience and offers an easy-to-understand and educational investment philosophy."

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Customer Reviews

very useful and interesting
I have read this book end to end in the last week.
What Shipman says about the psychology of succesful long term investing I found particularly interesting and enlightening- it has made me think differently about entry and exit points when dealing in shares.

His selection and analysis of examples of investment manias that turned into bubbles I found particularly enjoyable - and Shipman makes the point that bubbles may be good -providing you are aware that you are in one and get out as soon as it looks set to burst.

What I found irritating was his description of the method he uses to invest- spread betting. I read that they are tax efficient and use gearing to increase profits- but I still do not understand how they work. Some more detail here would have been helpful.

So overall I think this is a good buy for the serious investor-but I shall have to do research elsewhere on spread betting.

Enjoy it.

Compelling reading albeit with the odd caveat or two attached!
I have had the pleasure of meeting the author Mark Shipman in a journalistic capacity and I must say he does not come across as the sort of chap who sits it out on the fence when it comes to trading strategies or speaking his mind on investing. This is mirrored in his engaging commentary in the financial press as well as this very readable book about investing in commodities.

Shipman posses a world of experience when it comes to playing the markets and it reflects in his written work. Some parts of the book stand above the rest, for instance his treatment of the psychology of successful long term investing. He also makes a passionate case for why commodities are where one should put one's money. Examples of technical analysis techniques as envisaged by Richard Donchian in the book are also noteworthy, more so as Shipman explains how he uses these techniques / strategies when trading himself.

On reading it I thought it was brilliant! Two people have borrowed it from me - they think it was very good too! However, there is the odd caveat or two. First of all, the treatment of spread-betting is inadequate. Secondly, in my opinion as a financial journalist this book on its own cannot help one develop a personal investment strategy from scratch.

I remain deeply sceptical if such a layman's investment bible exists anywhere. Shipman's sound advice and guidance should be taken on board, but this book is no one-stop shop for buying investing acumen. It is complementary investment literature and not a supplementary one. Caution is needed. It may be used among a pool of resources to be used to learn more, but not on a stand alone basis. That's despite the fact that it is undoubtedly among the best in its genre.

Excellent
This has got to be the best book I've read on investing for years. Not only is it written in an easy to understand style, I like the way the author approaches the markets.

Effectively, he uses a two pronged approach. Firstly, identifying an asset class using simple fundamental analysis and then he applies chart based analysis, which provides him with the discipline to then enter and exit the markets. It's a strategy that's used by a number of successful investors and traders and you can see why Shipman has adopted it as well.

I think this is a "must have" book whether you're interested in stocks or commodities.