Money Books

Ever wondered where the suit and tie brigade known as corporate lawyers originate their quirky self-image? Well look no further. Lincoln Caplan's "Skadden..." is undoubtedly a modern legal classic up there with Michael Stewarts "The Partners". Delving inside the history of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher and Flom LLP is congruent to understanding the changed corporate world. From Joe Flom's initial proxy battles and rivalry with Marty Lipton to multi-billion dollar, cross-border transactions to the evolution of the new breed of corporate law firm. Skadden's history is inseparable from that of Wall Street and business in the US since its post-World War II founding and as a consequence is a must for all those interested in business as well as those interested in a legal career. A great no holes barred look into the modern law firm.

Mr. Caplan has gracefully provided readers with an exquisite portrait of the life and times of a twentieth century law firm. Compelling and balanced, the book joyfully tracks the highs and lows of a group of "young turks" who have defined what it means to be a lawyer in corporate America. I am grateful to Mr. Caplan for the time he put into this project, as it gives tremendous insight to law students as to how a law firm operates and what the culture of a law firm embodies. This book is worth reading, worth printing and well worth recommending. Caplan's Tenth Justice, his recording of the Office of Solicitor General is brilliant as well. Joe Flom and Sheila Birnbaum and the rest of the Skadden crew can rest easy as the bard who records their triumphs and tribulations does so with zest and intelligence.

Skadden is an excellent history of both the rise of the modern law firms as well as one of those firms which epitomized that movement. Lincoln Caplan uses an indepth analysis of the practice, politics and people of Skadden Arps to analyze how and why law firms, which had traditionally been small parterships have since grown into businesses as large and competitive as many of the corporations they represent. The story is very well written and insightful and it is obvious that Caplan did extensive research both inside the firm and in legal libraries. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in legal history and it is a good insider's guide to people who do not have experience in a law firm, but are considering working in one or are simply curious what goes in them.

There's usually something important to be learned by the absent minded habits of the great and powerful. This book includes one about Joe Flom: He likes to fill the margins of his notes with tightly wound, intricate geometric patters that are uniquely his own design. The author doesn't read much more into it, but there's no reason we readers can't. According the author, Mr. Flom can also be a little brusque in private.

For law students in particular, this book is a good dose of reality if they are wondering what it's really like to work in a big firm. Interesting critique of the usefulness of this book: I recently asked a Skadden associate (not in their NY office) how he liked this book, and he had not read it. He had to look it up on the firm's website to determine what I was talking about. So this book can help the non-Skadden population understand the Skadden firm perhaps better than the firm understands itself. That would be the ultimate tribute to the author, and a Delphic oracle to Skadden's leadership.

Since reading this, I cannot help thinking of Joe Flom whenever I'm trapped in some boring meeting, or sidelined in court, waiting for my case to be called. "Can I doodle as well as him?" I ask myself. Then the case is called, or the meeting accelerates, and--poof!--the evanescent reminder of old Joe Flom disappears along with it.

Like any good pulp novel, Someone Owes Me Money pulls the reader right into the plot with very few preliminaries. The book's protagonist is a likeable, unflappable New York City cab driver named Chet Conway, a man who became a cab driver so that he can indulge his first love--gambling. He can work "day shift when the track is closed, night shift when it's open." Chet admits this with an easy, frank style in the book's second paragraph, and when I read this, I knew I was hooked. Chet is a wonderful protagonist, and this character reminds me once again why I enjoy Westlake so much. At the same time, I admit that I don't enjoy ALL Westlake novels equally, but in Somebody Owes Me Money, Westlake is at the top of his game.

Gambling is at the core of Chet's life, and yet at the same time his 'hobby' isn't entirely out-of-control. While it dictates his life, for example how much he works and whether or not he has a love life, he still controls his gambling urges enough to reason through how much he can afford to lose. One day after driving a well-heeled fare to a swanky address, Chet is annoyed when he doesn't receive the normal tip. Instead the man tells Chet to bet money on an outsider horse named Purple Pecunia scheduled to race that day.

Methodically Chet chews over the information. And after dismissing his annoyance at being robbed of a tip, he decides that there was something different about this fare, and playing a "hunch" Chet calls his bookie, Tommy McKay and places thirty-five dollars on Purple Pecunia. When the horse wins at 27-1, Chet is set to collect $980. But when Chet goes over to Tommy's house to collect the loot, all he finds is a stiff "sunny side up" in the living room.

From this moment on, Chet stubbornly refuses to ditch the idea that someone somewhere owes him money, and he reasons that if he wants his winnings, he has little choice but to begin investigating the crime. Chet rapidly becomes the prime suspect in the murder, but what's even worse than that is he still hasn't managed to collect his dough. Plagued by Tommy's hysterical frumpy wife, a sexy gun-toting dame looking for revenge, and a slew of angry, competing Neanderthal gangsters, Chet's life may never be the same.

This novel isn't fluff, and Westlake's canny observations of human nature add a great deal of depth to the story. Laced with strong well-drawn characters, Chet's world is packed with colorful personalities from his weekly poker game, and we meet Chet's father--a man whose hobby is an obsessive search for the best insurance policy available. In his pursuit of a policy that contains a lucrative flaw, Chet's father displays "the faith and the obstinacy of a man with a roulette system," and it's through this relationship that Chet's gambling addiction begins to make sense.

Written with a wry sense of humor, Somebody Owes Me Money is a wonderful escapist read and a superb addition to the Hard Case canon. There's one perfect scene in the book when Chet imagines, just for a moment, that he's Robert Mitchum. Chet notes, "there's a touch of Robert Mitchum in all of us," and for noir/crime fans, that is most definitely true.

Baseball, football and basketball all have their Halls of Fame. The equivalent among mystery writers would be the Grand Masters, a title awarded once a year to honor the lifetime achievement of a particular writer. The Grand Masters are the best of the best, and one of their most shining examples would be Donald Westlake.

Westlake has been writing crime stories for over four decades, both under his own name and his pseudonym, Richard Stark (he has had other pseudonyms such as Tucker Coe that have long since been retired). As Stark, he writes the classic Parker novels featuring the thief with a heart of steel. Under his own name, he has written Oscar-nominated screenplays (The Grifters) and a whole string of novels that are often, but not always, comic. Somebody Owes Me Money, the latest Hard Case Crime book to feature Westlake, is one of those comic novels.

The narrator of Somebody Owes Me Money is cab driver Chet Conway, an ordinary guy who likes to play the ponies, never getting seriously in debt but also never getting ahead. One of Chet's fares gives him a real tip: not money, but some inside information on a longshot that is certain to win. Conway takes a chance and on a small bet wins $930 (which in 1960's New York can go a long way).

Unfortunately, when he comes to collect from his bookie, the man is dead, leaving Chet in a bind. For one thing, the police are now regarding him with suspicion; for another, he doesn't know who to collect his winnings from. What's worse, it turns out that the bookie was entangled with two rival gangs, both of which suspect Chet of the killing, as does the bookie's beautiful blonde sister. For self-preservation - and to get his money - Chet will have to try and solve this crime himself.

As always, Westlake is a master of both suspense and humor, making this book a delight to read. If you're expecting one of Hard Case Crime's typical gritty pulp novels, this will be a bit of a surprise but no disappointment; you will get a nice example of what makes Westlake one of the very best in the business.

I have to admit that The Kid got a little misty-eyed when he saw that Hard Case Crime had published SOMEBODY OWES ME MONEY by Donald E. Westlake. I had owned a copy of it the first time around but lost it in an ill-fated cross-country move in 1973. For the longest time it had been inexplicably out of print --- until now.

Westlake has been a master craftsman for so long that it's difficult to remember a time when he wasn't around and doing excellent work. In SOMEBODY OWES ME MONEY we meet Chet Conway, a cab driver who lives with his dad and likes to play the ponies with an off-track New York betting establishment consisting of a one-man operation named Tommy McKay. Acting on a tip, he improbably wins. However, when he goes to collect his prize, Conway finds McKay dead with no money to be had. The cops are suspicious, as are two groups of mobsters who are shooting first and asking questions later. Conway is not a tough guy and wants nothing to do with criminals or the police; he simply wants the money he won in the bet.

Conway does have one friend in this mess who has suddenly become his life: McKay's sister Abbie, an attractive, street-smart card dealer from Vegas who has flown to New York to avenge her brother's murder. She, too, initially blames Conway but soon settles down enough to try to find the real killer even as she is slowly but surely becoming attracted to him. The result is that they both wind up being pursued by rival gangs, each of whom thinks that Conway is in the other's employ.

Conway soon realizes that, in order to resume a peaceful life, he's going to have to solve McKay's murder. Interestingly enough --- and here is where Westlake's subtle brilliance shines through --- while it is Conway's gambling habits that get him into this jam, it's also his gambling that ultimately reveals the true killer's identity. And you can guess who it is if you pay very close attention and if, like Conway when he places his racing bet, you are very lucky.

I would be tempted to say that they don't write 'em like SOMEBODY OWES ME MONEY anymore, but that would be incorrect. Westlake continues to annually add to his incredible body of work. This treasure, once lost but now found, is a sheer joy from beginning to end.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

I'm really glad that Hard Case Crime has chosen to reprint this early Donald Westlake novel, not only because Somebody Owes Me Money is a really good book, but also for a more personal reason. I've been reading his series books for so long -- whether under his own name, or the Richard Stark pseudonym -- that I had really forgotten how good Westlake could be at standalone comic crime novels.

The most eloquent cab driver in New York City, Chet Conway works nights so he can spend his days at the track (and he works days where there are no races). When he gets a tip on a horse instead of the usual spendable gratuity, Chet decides that a man who can calculate in his head the return on a $3.54 bet at 22-to-1 odds must know what he's talking about.

But when Chet goes to pick up his winnings ("Almost a thousand dollars! I was rich!"), he finds his bookie Tommy McKay "spread out on the floor, sunny side up. With the yolk broken." And suddenly people start thinking he did it. Tommy's wife Louise, the police, the syndicate, etc. But nobody seems to know where he can go now to collect his $930.00 payoff.

When Tommy's sister Abbie climbs into his cab, things take a definite turn for the worse. Chet gets shot in the head and has to recuperate at Tommy's place, where eventually every member of organized crime in the city treads through, wanting to know why Chet killed Tommy. Chet has to clear his name by figuring out the real killer.

Somebody Owes Me Money is one of the few actual mysteries put out by Hard Case Crime. Off the top of my head I can only think of three, but they all involve licensed private investigators, as opposed to this amateur. After all, Chet may be eloquent, but, like all good crime protagonists, he's also a little dim. (Truly smart people manage to avoid these situations.)

God Save the Mark is more wildly clever (it's Westlake's masterpiece, in my opinion), and any given Dortmunder book has more belly laughs, but Somebody Owes Me Money is still vastly entertaining (with an ending that is 180° from the typical whodunit) and yet another reason why every Donald E. Westlake book, even the lesser-known ones, should stay continuously in print.

Other books about professional speaking can put you to sleep with generic information that you already know. Either the author is trying to be politically correct or he or she is just trying to fill several hundred pages to justify the writing of the publication. Fred Gleeck's book is different. Just like the toughest coach you might have, Gleeck's doesn't mince words and he gets right to the point. He also realizes that he may offend some people with his comments. But don't you want a coach that won't sugarcoat anything yet instead will truly tell you like it is? In the book, Gleeck tells you exactly what to do and what not to do. Precisely where to invest your time, effort and money and where not to. I don't think there is a wasted word or a bit of fluff in any of his 239 pages. After reading the book, I immediately gave it to my wife to read to help me plan a strategy for my speaking business and ordered copies for my professional speaking friends so that they could do the same. I also thank those who had previously written comments about this book to convince me to make the investment. This information is so powerful, Gleeck could have forced you to spend $399 on a CD or DVD set, instead he made the same content available for a mere $19.95.

As a professional speaker, you have to understand how to make money. The other books I've read on this topic give you some good tips, but this is the best one I've read on how to MAKE MORE MONEY as a speaker. I highly reccomend it. I benefited a lot from Fred's extensive experience with CareerTrack and his knowledge of the public seminar business. His insights on how to develop your own products are amazing. Without reading this book I'm sure I would have been a speaker, but not a RICH speaker.

This book contains lots of practical and easy to implement advice and information on:
- getting started in your career as a speaker
- marketing a speaker's business
- the mechanics of speaking
- doing your own seminars
- creating and marketing information products, and
- other useful tips.

This book is an essential resource for professional speakers. Buy now and discover its secrets for yourself. The advice really works.

For those who also do seminars, you must also buy Marketing and Promoting Your Own Seminars by the same author.

Mr.Gleek knows his stuff. This book is broken down into bite size pieces. Open to any page and get at least one good idea. This book is also a perfect example of how to use a self-published book as a combination business card, promotional tool, and catalog. The only reason I didn't give the book a 5, is that much of the content is repeated in Mr. Gleeks other book; MARKETING & PROMOTING YOUR OWN SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS.I don't mean the same ideas, I mean whole sections, word-for-word. If I had not bought both books, I would have been totally satisfied with this one.

This book is very helpful for gaining an understanding of investing. The layout is clear and interesting, and there is a lot of useful information packed into this small guide!

As a financial advisor I've read a lot of books about investing; Recently my little brother asked me for a book to get started. This is the one I truly recommend above all the rest. A truly professional yet simple read.

This book describes the basic ways to invest your money. It covers markets and currency, stocks, bonds, indexes, mutual funds, ETFs, options, futures, and other alternative investments (briefly).

The format is very easy to read - there are lots of diagrams and pictures, which actually provides a good break from the large amount of dense information provided. One thing I liked (but that some may find annoying) is the frequency of repeating definitions. Between various sections, concepts are often defined multiple times. I found this useful, since it reminded me what a certain concept was without having to go back and find it earlier in the book.

In general, the information is pretty accurate and up-to-date. However, I noticed 1 error on the idea of fluctuation in currency value (International Investing in the Money & Markets section, p. 21), which gets the concept of a "strong dollar" during an international equity trade backwards, but then follows with an example diagram that gets it right. I was frankly surprised to see such a glaring mistake. I e-mailed the publishers, but received no response.

Another thing that I didn't like is the fact that, for some numbers in some of the diagrams, there is no mention at how the numbers were calculated/derived. I personally like to see/try all the formulas, so that was slightly annoying. But for the most part, I was able to figure out the formulas myself.

In conclusion, the book does an excellent job introducing various investment opportunities. It covers general information on each investment vehicle and describes the risks associated. It does not, however, teach you any special strategies (other than the obvious "diversify your portfolio" and "use strategies to minimize risk" ones) on investing - this is not the purpose of the book.

While I was initially put off by the brochure-like format and the clip-art-like pictures, I was pleasantly surprised by the content and the ease with which the information was presented. I certainly recommend this as an entry book for someone who does not understand the different ways to invest in various markets.

Pros:
+ nice introduction to markets and exchanges, and how they are regulated
+ covers all of the important investment vehicles used today
+ lots of useful information - good reference
+ lots of diagrams and pictures to break up the text

Cons:
- a few mistakes
- relatively dense - don't expect to blow through it if you want to retain the information

I have been reading a bit about investing for a decade but still felt I lacked a clear and comprehensive understanding of the previously overwhelming world of money and investing. NO MORE! I have found nothing that compares to the clear, concise and highly readable format of this book. The color coded and cearly defined sections helped me digest the well-organized and very readable material. However, the author's far exceed the abilty of most to clearly and concisely explain the most difficult and complicated of topics. This little book is a gem.
I feel like I've had a brief course in economics and investing and am now able to knowledgably and confidently discuss investing with the most savvy of finanical experts, agents, and those know it alls one often encounters. I will most certainly be looking at other Lighbulb Press materials.

"Take This Book to Work" is a great read, not only for young professionals, but for those who may need a reminder that women can (and do) conquer the workplace woes. The book is written in a fun format that is easy to read. Chapters are marked clearly which makes for a quick reference guide when a question arises. I flipped directly to the chapter "How To Ask Smart Questions During an Interview to Help You Land the Job" before my interview with a successful PR firm. Not only did I feel more confident, but I got the internship!

As a career consultant, I will refer clients to this book. I find male clients have questions similar to females and it is important to avoid categorizing a workplace challenge as "women only."

That said, this book fills a need among today's workers. Those who are completely new to a situation will benefit by following the guidelines. You could do worse!

But it's important to realize that when it comes to career strategy, we rarely have simple answers. You're taking a risk regardless of what you do and almost any strategy can backfire. No guarantees!

I particularly like the section on interviewing for information. Few books spell out the differences between new and experienced career changers. As these authors say, senior executives rarely go out on "interviews for information." They're more likely to have coffee or drinks and talk. And at the senior level, you're more of an equal. You may be able to help the person you're meeting -- or you will someday.

We have some areas of disagreement. But as I remind my own clients, every advisor or consultant will be fallible. We all make mistakes and nobody's right all the time. Here are 3 areas where I take a different slant on career change and job search:

(1) When you are job hunting, the authors suggest calling to ask if your resume was received, and then using the opportunity to sell yourself. I say that strategy can pay off handsomely but can also backfire. I wouldn't encourage clients to try to sell themselves to Human Resources. HR typically acts as a gatekeeper: they're only interested in ways to say no.
If you reach the hiring manager you're more likely to win with this strategy.

(2)You need to relocate for personal reasons and your company has a branch in your destination city. The authors suggest you mention your personal reasons ("My mother has cancer") with the request. I encourage my own clients to avoid disclosing personal details. Let's get real: you never know when this information will be distorted and/or used against you. You give up a lot of power when your company knows you aren't marketable because you won't move.

(3) When searching for a mentor, remember the rules change if you approach self-employed professionals. It's not uncommon for mentors to pay for advice and guidance. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between mentors and coaches.

On another note, the authors encourage readers to join Toastmasters or take a public speaking ocurse to gain confidence. Your experience will vary a great deal depending on the club or class. For advice on telephone negotiation and one-to-one meetings, I would recommend hiring a coach or consultant.

The book has gotten rave reviews from famous names. The back cover includes endorsements by Kelly Ripa, Robin Roberts and Barbara Corcoran, all admirable women. I'd like to hear from more in-the-trenches career consultants and recent career changers and job seekers, both men and women.

Tory and Robyn, working women around the world thank you for this invaluable book!

Too often, women do not get what they want from work - simply because they are afraid to ask. "Take This Book To Work" gives us the language and confidence to ask for what we need and deserve. Advising women on how to speak up and take control, this wonderful book covers everything from successful networking, office etiquette, and personal fulfillment. Next time I want to ask for something at work, whether it be a raise or time off, I will be consulting this helpful manual!

A collaboration of two talented and professional writers, this book brings a unique approach to women in the working world. It is the ultimate guidebook to an overall successful career strategy and all of the little bumps along the way. Covering a large range of topics, the authors truly address the needs of women in business of all industries. This book is for women who are just starting their careers, women who are stuck in their careers, and women who just want to continue to maximize their careers to achieve more both personally and professionally. A fantastic resource that is not to be missed! Do "take this book to work"!

I found this book to be very straight forward with excellent examples detailing the concepts discussed. Makes usually dry reading very interesting. Only wish is it explored even more complex tax issues that are "outside" the scope of this book. Thanks!

This book is an invaluable resource for any entrepreneur. Tax law is confusing, and the book provides clear guidance on how to keep more dollars in the bank.

Tax attorney Frederick W. Daily provides the 10th updated edition of TAX SAVVY FOR SMALL BUSINESS, which packs in the latest tax updates and details on deductions, ownership structures, IRS bookkeeping requirements, and more. It combines a complete strategy approach with insights no business, whether big, medium or small, can afford to miss.

I just set up an LLC and wanted a general education. This is one of several books I bought. It is the best of the bunch. Great explanations and insights by a guy who has been involved with tax audits and has a good idea of what flies with the IRS and what does not.

This book is an eye opening experience. Every person planning for retirement should read this book. Girouard's lessons are easy to read and he makes complicated concepts simple to understand. His ideas are not what I have learned in school, instead, they are much more "real world" friendly. Thanks, for writing this book!

Girouard "nailed it" All financial progress starts with each of us taking ownership of our dreams ( Life Goals). Keep an open mind...what you read will not be what your stockbroker or insurance agent told you! Regardless of your net worth you can learn and with action, benefit from The Ten Truths of Wealth Creation

As a retired person, I am concerned about making our nest egg last both our lifetimes. The Ten Truths Of Wealth Creation is beautifully written and has chapter after chapter of easy to understand financial and quality of life information. Chapters covering the risks of Index funds, your own personal bank, real estate and making sense of insurance, particularly hit home with me. This book is excellent for those just starting out in life and also for retired persons like me. I wish I had a text like this before I retired; it would have saved me a lot of money and emotional turmoil. I have already started taking Mr. Girourd's advice. I highly recommend the book.

John Girouard has created an indispensable tool for consumers to both learn the truths of wealth creation and also provide a roadmap for financial success and prosperity. The Ten Truths of Wealth Creation should be required reading for all Financial Planners before they are allowed to practice.

What I especially liked about D. Lampton's approach to this very popular subject is how he structured the book and the terminology that he used because it is done in a way that reflects Chinese thought and vocabulary on these issues. Moreover, his analysis and understanding of the issue is top-notch!

KW

I haven't finished this book yet, but I am enjoying it. It is a difficult read, smaller print and a very interesting choice of words. I often find myself re-reading a sentance to make sure I understood the authors intent. I think the material is relevant to those who are interested in the ever growing China and how the US will be challenged by them in the future. Reads very much like a text book, which was OK because I bought this book to learn something.

It's a very interesting book that the author uses a unique argument to discuss current Asian affair and related issues. I like it because it provides a framework to decribe US-China relation, but not writting a micor-history along the time lines. Great book and reasonable assumptions of powers, "Might", "Money" and "Mind."

I gave this book to a friend, Henry Sailer, who was raised in China and very knowledgeable. This is his review.

This is a remarable book.It will enlighten the most advanced specialist and, at the same time, teach the new beginner.

There are new facts to be absorbed in virtually every sentence and Mr. Lampton's writing and organizational skills are such that the reader approachs each chapter with mounting fascination.

Mr. Lampton obviously has entree to leaders of most of the Asian states of which he writes - an entree which he has employed with commendable discretion and which brings to light facts and ideas which would otherwise not be available to the most zealot scholar, student or layman.

I have never said of any book of this kind that I intended to read it again. I do now.

my named is marilyn durha

Really a terrific resource written by an acknowledged expert in the field.

This book provides a wealth of information of how to go about finding and claiming your share of the unclaimed billions of dollars held by government agencies and others. I used it successfully to locate funds owed a family member I never would have known about.

When used along with the author's Unclaimed Assets website, - it's really a great deal.

I found this book to be helpful in understanding how to find claims, but it was a bit of a hassel trying to get current links for online searches. I found a web site using GoTo's search engine that helped me to get started as a finder and has made it very easy to search for claims online. I would recommend the book for those without internet access and the web site for those with access.

This book provides an indepth look into every state and their policy. It will tell you if you can look at the records via the courthouse or if they are currently not allowing anyone except the actual person claiming to money to search their records. Very well done with updated information.

Anybody who wants to learn more about investing in the S&P 500 should pick up this book immediately. Harris has devised an investment strategy that is easy even for new investors to understand. The advice provided here is pure gold. It's well worth your time.

This book was a real surprise - a book on investing that has something new to say and, at the same time, is fun to read. Harris presents a novel investment strategy that makes common sense. The approach is backed up with lots of historical data and computer analysis but is extremely simple to put into practice. A good read for anybody interested in investing or Wall Street history.

Numbers really aren't my game, so it's nice to read a clear explanation of how the S&P works with some historical background. Plus the traffic light explains how the historical information applies today. Makes me feel a little more secure with investing. I know it's something I need to be doing.

If you're interested in practical investing advice, Wall Street Traffic Light is your book. If you like historical information on how Wall Street moves, you can find that too.

I never thought I'd find a book on finance, statistics, and history entertaining, but here it is. Harris' lay-it-on the line writing style and detailed research make for a very informative read.

All in all, a great investment book. Five stars.