Superbly Written and Organized Story of Property's Role
924410
This is the first of Richard Pipes's books that I've read.  It won't be the last.
  Pipes shows -- with a style that is as engaging and as smooth as any that I've ever read -- that private property rights are  essential to the maintenance of human dignity, human flourishing, liberty,  and widespread prosperity.  He does so not just with economics (although  his understanding of economics is deep), but with history.  And it is the  history of private property rights that ultimately convinces the skeptic  that such rights are indispensable for the good society.
  As with any  great book, nits can be picked with this one.  But all are minuscule.  This  is a remarkable and learned book.
2351613
"Dan O'Bannon's Guide To Screenplay Structure" by Dan O'Bannon and Matt R. Lohr is excellent. I love how the book is organized. Before going into O'Bannon's philosophy on structure, you get what works and what doesn't work about the philosophy of other gurus. It is very insightful.  The special gift in this book is to see story from the perspective of a master of story. The philosophy is clearly written and expressed in a way that will be easy for all screenwriters to absorb, understand and apply. There is a defined focus on conflict that really sheds light on how to construct Act Two. This book is a must read if you want to know how to write a script that will sell.

Jen Grisanti, Story/Career Consultant, Writing Instructor for Writers on the Verge at NBC, Speaker and author of the books, Change Your Story, Change Your Life: A Path To Success, Story Line: Finding Gold In Your Life Story and TV Writing Tool Kit
3682845
Friends, I was concerned (somewhat :-) when I saw the Esq. after the author's name.  I was expecting that the writing would be a little hard to understand (read too complex).  But my fears were unfounded.  Larry Loftis has written a book on a complex subject but has written it so that anyone can understand.

This book is logically divided into four parts:

1. To begin, Larry builds the case for real estate investment.

2. In the middle, he covers both the buying and the holding and selling processes.

3. To end, Larry summarizes and reiterates everything previously covered but shapes it into a comprehensive wealth-building plan which can be modified for each reader's specific circumstances.

The book focuses on multi-family residential properties but seems to me a good part of the logic translates to most any real estate property.

I don't think Larry set out to write a motivational book on real estate investing as much as an informational one; but, he so thoroughly lays out the "whats" and "what fors" that this reader got excited about the possibilities.  Read this book and I dare you not to get excited too!
3329876
Among all of the investing in real estate books this one stands out in my mind as the best. To start with the authors know how to write in a clear, interesting, and practical(experienced) manner. No hype about nothing down, cash back deals that bear no relation to reality. Instead, this book covers foreclosures, rehabs, creative renovation, lease options, bargain shopping all from a sound and doable perspective. This book also offers the best by far discussion of leases and tenant management. These chapters alone are worth the price of the book. I could say  more, but will close with the words of another reviewer-- If you want a sound, thoughtful  guide to profitable investing, buy this book.
1167092
This book is a captivating read that traces the history of financial market structural changes in the US over the last few decades.  The author does a great job of developing the characters (relatively speaking, since this is not a fictional novel) and chronicling the developments that forever changed US stock markets.

A reader with an avid interest in economics and market structure will find much useful in this book.  While not academic in nature, anyone with an understanding of microeconomics and business can read between the lines and fill in the blanks and see the forces of capitalism at work.  I enjoyed the book thoroughly.
4122541
If you are just starting out renting your home or not a fully equipped professional property manager or landlord, this may be for you.  The best part is the 6 or so chapters on tenant screening, understanding credit report, eviction and criminal results as well as 2 chapters on the lease agreement.  It also comes with an awesome CD-ROM with forms, agreements and laws that will definitely get you going in the right direction.

It's  breath of fresh air to finally have something that I can understand.  Take a look for yourself if you can browse a copy. I ordered a paperback for myself and wish they offered a hardcover version. It's actually an enjoyable book - even though its about being a landlord.

This is allegedly the first of many to come from McGraw-Hill - I hope they stick to what they say, because I hate to read and this one seemed to move quickly.  I can barely stay awake with other real estate books.  Don't take my word for it, just look at it for yourself.
4389304
The author of takings sorts out some vital issues. This book sorts out eminent domain issues, based on a clearly described economic theory of government. Epstein settles the 'Lockean Proviso' issue, and reasons through many other issues. For example, he makes the case for flat taxes over so called progressive taxes. But above all, this book establishes that anything that the government does constitutes a taking of some kind, and takings are only justified in very limited circumstances.

Takings is the best reasoned critique of modern transfer states that I have seen. This is one of a few books that has really changed the way I think about political economy. Every Law and Public Policy student should read this book, as should David Souter.
1897183
This book is very well written, containing a plethora of information that I am looking forward to applying.
Now, rather than dreading the process of turning my property into something productive, I am really looking forward to getting started.
524812
Very rare one comes across such well written narratives of an entire industry which is the backbone of any economy. Energy industry is one of the foundation, on which any country's economy and development relies upon. For energy professionals who are early in their careers, it is sometimes very important to know the history in order to put current things in right perspective. Robert Bradley Jr. has done a terrific job by documenting the political and industrial developments in a chronological order.

<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Edison-to-Enron-Energy-Markets-and-Political-Strategies-Political-Capitalism/dp/0470917369/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Edison to Enron: Energy Markets and Political Strategies (Political Capitalism)</a>&nbsp;mainly tracks the lives and careers of Samuel Insull, who greatly contributed to creating an integrated electrical infrastructure in US and Jack Bowen, who was mainly in interstate gas pipeline business. Alongwith these two people, author develops a great storyline by integrating other key figures and parallel happenings in Energy industry.

As an energy professional. I found this book very thoughtful and filled with knowledge enhancing content. The language is very easy, however, due to the nature of the subject, I will not consider it a very casual and recreational read. It has to suit one's taste and intention in order to develop interest in this text.

Overall, I highly recommend this book if Energy is your career interest!
4948632
Wow!  This was a great book in every way.  I now understand what happened with sub-prime lending down to the parts, if not the nuts and bolts.  Yet I never felt that I was being taught.  In fact, it seems that the individuals constructing these trades were all outsiders and started out understanding the trade from a very layman's point of view.  The idea behind the trade was very much focused on common sense evaluation of the fundamentals, the guts to feel their way through the process even if they worried that they might be missing some key piece of information, hard analytical work, a little bit of gutsy political maneuvering, and the technical ability to navigate the complex financial instruments used.

And the book was well written.  The writing was not sensationalist.  But I couldn't put it down.  I felt I understood the motivations of the individuals in the book.  I came to admire most, though not all, of them.  And for a book that tells a story to which everyone has a general knowledge, I was surprised that I was in suspense to the very end.  There were so many different ways the trade was played by various actors.  One can identify with all of the worries and mistakes made by each of the individuals in the story.

I highly recommend this book!
4287614
I was thoroughly impressed with this thoughtful, substantive, and important read by Joshua Becker. From schedules, artwork, photos, and sentimental items, to screens, clothes, collections, gifts, and toys, not only does Mr. Becker interrogate the culture of consumerism (an important inclusion), he invites us to evaluate our own lives, as he has done his own. His direct style of conveying the counterculture message with clarity, and even urgency, is what makes this book a highly worthy investment.

While this topic is a consolidation of many principles and ideas that were not new in my thinking, I found Clutterfree with Kids to be simply said, direct, and filled with gems from the get go. It has left a lasting impact since having read it. One of my favourite - "Don't Just DeClutter, De-Own". This is stuff we need to hear and to think about as we move through our daily lives. I cannot say enough good things about this book - I highly recommend it both to the reader who is new to the topic of minimalism and/or simplicity parenting and to the reader who is well read on these topics.
634808
As an owner and manager of several vacation properties, I was quite impressed with Kristine's thoroughness and attention to detail.  This is a very read-able book, flows easily from topic to topic, and covers all the basics.

Of particular importance is her break-even analysis for figuring out the profitability of a rental before buying.  Also, while I'm a do-it-yourself-vacation rental type owner, I realize most people prefer the ready-to-rent approach Ms. Karpinski advocates.

The Resources found in the Appendix sections at the end make this book a definite buy for any current or future vacation property owner.  Kristine is a good teacher and presents well in both her books and blog.
2171339
Mortgages, mechanics liens and other encumbrances are discussed in great detail.  Who knew there were so many ways a piece of real property can be encumbered?!!
3223624
This is a superbly written story of McDonald's time as a trader at Lehman Brothers, and of the Lehman-related people and trades and financial position leading up to the failure. It has a strong story line, and reads like an excellent Michael Lewis book (Liars Poker, The Big Short), probably because it was coauthored by Patrick Robinson. Wonderful style, some really good phrases, and a narrative that just keeps moving along, never a dull moment.  Highly recommended.

You might also like to read Hank Paulson's book (On the Brink) for his view from the US Treasury seat during the whole financial crisis. It too was a superb book in my view, because it was written as a first-person account by the guy at the very center of it all. I came away from that book having a much better understanding of how many people were necessarily involved in creating whole teams of people to focus on issues, companies, processes, and (of course, sigh) the politics of actually getting money allocated to the problem, and then delivering it within the restrictions of the US laws governing such things. Also highly recommended.
4152842
As a business lawyer dealing in commercial real estate for over thirty years, I have to applaud Mr. Rayat for the clarity that he has brought to a topic that many would-be investors too often find intimidating and impenetrable.  He has distilled the basic principles from a most complex discipline in a manner that is at once highly readable, extremely instructive, and thought-provoking.  His book is full of gems of fact and insight that will provide any interested reader with a very usable knowledge base to delve further.  Bravo!  "Two thumbs up" indeed!

MT, Vancouver.
885142
Superb book! The authors make the case that offering profit sharing and stock options, etc., make companies more prosperous when the employees have a share in the ownership of the company. Through extensive research they show that this practice is consistent with the vision of our founding fathers about the value of land ownership, and that in our more modern, urban society this vision can be achieved by providing employees with a share in the ownership of the company through stock options and profit sharing. This is one of the most carefully researched books I have read.
115776
Professor Heller's book will be of strong interest to those like me interested in the tripartite elements of Hayek's "Law of Liberty", property rights, social order implemented via free markets and liberty. The role of overlapping and conflicting property rights in promoting recent corporate governance crises (Enron, the CDS/CDO market meltdown, Lehman Repo 105 deceptions) makes Prof Heller's book of particular interest to Finance researchers. The fragmentation and reconfiguration of property rights by those with strategic motivations to misrepresent future cash-flows to clients is one way into understanding the state we are in and how with appropriate regulatory responses we might improve our financial markets. I for one am very grateful to Prof Heller to opening my eyes to this issue. I strongly encourage others, with similar interests, to read his excellent book.

William Forbes