question for finance majors?

Zora Mazzie: I highly recommend "A Random Walk Down Wall Street" by Burton Malkiel. It's sold over a million copies for a reason.Here's why I like it:* It starts with a really interesting history of stock markets, that will help you think about them.* It explains different philosophies of investing.* It explains different types of investments. It's focused on stocks, but also talks about bonds, gold, etc.* It talks about different strategies at different ages in life.I recommend Malkiel, because it's a good introductory survey, and if you think one particular strategy he writes about is good for you, then buy a book on that strategy.I would advise to stay away from Jim Cramer's book. I think he tends to believe stocks are less risky than they really are......Show more

Vickie Clampett: I have answered this question before, and I stick with what I said before. Rather than purchase books on investing, as the world of finance changes sometimes radically, and what appli! ed then may not now, read current business magazines, such as Money, Fortune, BusinessWeek, Forbes, etc. Also, and maybe even more important, watch CNBC on tv as much as possible to gain insight into what is recommended and what is not, what is in, and what is not. Lastly, get a good informed broker when you feel you are ready to invest....Show more

Beau Starcevic: It depends on what your ultimate objective is. If you're interested in studying financial markets -- the stock market in particular -- for purely academic interest and you're not planning to actually invest, then there are scores of academic texts out there.1) Corporate Finance: Theory and Practice (Wiley Series in Finance) by Aswath Damodaran 2) Damodaran on Valuation: Security Analysis for Investment and Corporate Finance (Wiley Finance) by Aswath Damodaran3) Financial Modeling, 3rd Edition by Simon BenningaIf you plan to understand financial markets so that you can actually invest, here are some excellen! t resources:1)The Five Rules for Successful Stock Investing: M! orningstar's Guide to Building Wealth and Winning in the Market by Pat Dorsey and Joe Mansueto (Paperback - Dec 29, 2004)Pat Dorsey is Morningstar's Director of Stock Analysis and has a very engaging style of writing..... easy to understand and enjoyable reading.2) Learn to Earn: A Beginner's Guide to the Basics of Investing and Business (Hardcover) by Peter LynchPeter Lynch, former Fidelity Magellan fund manager, is one of the most successful mutual fund managers of all times. Lynch presents different ways of finding an evaluating companies to invest in.3)The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing. A Book of Practical Counsel (Revised Edition) by Benjamin Graham, Jason Zweig, and Warren E. Buffett (Paperback - Jul 8, 2003)Ben Graham was Warren Buffett's mentor. Buffett, by the time he was a teenager, had memorized Graham's first edition of this book.4) Jim Cramer's Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World (Paperback) by James J. Cramer (Author) J! im Cramer of CNBC's Mad Money Fame offers some pretty good practical advice here. Cramer used to be successful hedge fund manager.Hope this helps.Santosh...Show more

Zulema Baccam: I would recommend "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham, getting the new release with the insights from Jason Zwieg. That book is considered to be the investing bible by most stock pros.