Tim Ferro » books

Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working for Africa

Tim — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 01:34:24 +0000

I decided to read this book because it sounded interesting, political, and topical; and it definitely was. This eye-opening book details the unbelievable history of aid and Africa. Until you read this, you have no idea how bad it really is. To top it off, Dambisa Moyo meticulously shows how aid is actually causing African nations to regress and subsequently allowing China to slowly permeate the continent.

This is a fascinating read and I recommend this book, however be aware that it is very detailed and can seem almost academic at times.

– Tim Ferro

Closing Time, the Long Awaited Review

Tim — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:28:44 +0000

If Catch-22 is your all time favorite book like me, then you must stop everything and read Closing Time immediately. This is one of the best sequels ever written and it took me by surprise right from the start.

We last saw Yossarian running out the door during the war, but this book waits decades to catch back up with our favorite character. Now in his 70s, Yossarian has lived an interesting life but still maintains his penchant for hospital nurses. His world these days is vastly different from the first book but it is filled with numerous characters, old and new. Milo and the Chaplain have had interesting lives as well as have ancillary characters from the first book, and the book is an eclectic mix of all their stories.

Towards the end, the book becomes harder to follow and characters begin passing away but once you finish it and reflect, you are left with a wonderful book and story. I could not recommend this book higher if you have already read Catch-22.

– Tim Ferro

Don’t Bother Reading Linchpin

Tim — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 01:24:57 +0000

I made it through 108 pages of this worthless, psychobabble garbage before giving up and returning the book to the library. Let me save you the time and summarize the book for you: “Working hard isn’t enough, create emotional relationships, the world has changed, linchpins are what’s needed, your lizard brain will tell you otherwise, rinse, repeat”. After reading this, I now wonder how Seth Godin is held in such high esteem. The entire book could (should) have been a Gen-Y centric blog post but instead it is drawn out over a few hundred pages of bullshit rhetoric. Here’s my advice: don’t read the book, do more than what is asked of you at work, be personable, be important but not indispensable. Counter to what Mr. Godin says, linchpins don’t get promoted because they are too important where they are at and no boss wants to lose that.

- Tim Ferro

The Girl Who Played With Fire…

Tim — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 01:05:40 +0000

is the amazing sequel to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo! After a year or so break, our favorite protagonists are back at it with a mystery from Lisbeth’s dark past. It twists and turns and exposes more about her than she would want you to know. The climax at the end of the book leaves you hanging as to our heroines fate, but luckily the third book (of the Millennium Series) picks up immediately after this one ends. Another 10 out of 10 for Stieg Larsson.

- Tim Ferro

Review of Starbucked by Taylor Clark

Tim — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:20:02 +0000

“A Double Tall Tale of Caffeine, Commerce, and Culture” just about sums up this book. Starbucked is a short read that is pretty entertaining if you like coffee or business or culture and just want the 30,000 foot view with some interesting and entertaining stories. The history and astounding growth of Starbucks is quite interesting, as are the stories about the history of coffee and the culture surrounding all of them. I recommend this as a quick read but not as highly as some of the previous books I have just reviewed.

– Tim Ferro

Skinny Bastard, the Bro Version of Skinny Bitch

Tim — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 20:56:00 +0000

After reading, and reviewing, Skinny Bitch, I decided to read the “Bro Version” called Skinny Bastard. I liked this book better because it was tailored to males which was more pertinent to me, but also because it was longer and contained more information. If you have read either of these books, there is no real need to read the other, but if you haven’t, pick up the gender appropriate one and read away! Check out my review of Skinny Bitch for more information about both books!

– Tim Ferro

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was Gripping

Tim — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:08:44 +0000

Once I started reading, I could not put this book down. This book is riveting, dark, and deep. There are a number of incredibly interesting story arcs in this book that all interact seamlessly. At first there are separate stories of Lisbeth and Mikael and how they came to meet. Then there are their own personal issues. And finally there is the main mystery of the book; but then there is another story to wrap up at the end. Larsson blends murder mystery with interesting technology and character depth rarely seen. This first book of the Millennium Trilogy is a 10 out of 10.

– Tim Ferro

God Hates Us All

Tim — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:25:18 +0000

Relax people, this is about the book featured on my favorite show: Californication. I would describe it as similar to Catcher in the Rye but over a longer period of time. If you are a fan of the show, it will help explain season 1 where this book is turned into a movie and Hank hates it. Though it was contrived completely as a tie-in to the show, it is a decent and short read. As fiction goes, it’s right up my alley as I also like The Cosmic Burrito and want to read Chronic City. This is a bit of a scatter brained review but I liked the book and would recommend it if you liked any of the other 3 books I have referenced or if you watch the show. If you don’t, start watching and read the book!

– Tim Ferro

My Unexpected Review of Skinny Bitch

Tim — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:09:46 +0000

So I was out of town with only a couple of books and I ended up reading a ton and finished them rather quick, so I picked up the nearest book that looked interesting. My sister had read the book previously and I read an excerpt while visiting her, so I thought ‘what the heck’, and began reading.

It’s not long and though it’s heavy on the Veganism, it’s still an entertaining and interesting read. I could not believe all of the things it reported about the meat, dairy, and sugar substitute industries. It was eye opening. No, I am not turning into a Vegan but I am glad I know all the information. Even if you don’t change a thing, it’s still good to know all the facts. This was interesting enough that I am reading the book for males called Skinny Bastard.

– Tim Ferro

Jim Cramer’s Getting Back to Even is a Must Read!

Tim — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:32:08 +0000

As a prerequisite to reading this book, first read Jim Cramer’s Stay Mad for Life. Once you have gotten a solid hold on your finances and retirement, then you are ready for this book.

Yes the market tanked. Yes we got screwed by others’ mistakes. Yes the market is less reliable than it ever has been. No, you should not take your money elsewhere. Now is the time to be in the market, and this is the book that will tell and show you how. Jim Cramer’s Getting Back to Even is the must read financial book of 2010 for every investor.

Jim lays out his financial advice in easy to follow steps and tells the real deal about the market. I have incorporated his advice into my own portfolio and have already seen gains. My advice is to read the whole book and latch on to certain investing strategies that can help short and long term. For the advanced investor, the chapter on options is a MUST READ. Once explained, it is both simple and genius. Long term, Jim’s advice on high dividend stocks and China are crucial to your strategy.

This book will help you make more money than any other book you read this year so move it to the top of your reading list!

– Tim Ferro