Sammy Azzouz: Mastering Organic Growth as an Independent RIA

The book challenges the common perception that millionaires live in affluent neighborhoods and instead shows that many wealthy individuals live modestly in middle-class and blue-collar areas. The authors identify seven common traits among these millionaires, including being dedicated to a vision, making appropriate career decisions, valuing financial security over social standing, and efficiently spending time and money. The book also distinguishes between 'Under Accumulators of Wealth' (UAWs) and 'Prodigious Accumulators of Wealth' (PAWs), emphasizing the differences in their spending and saving habits.

Written in a straightforward and accessible style, this book examines the fundamentals of mutual fund investing in today's market environment. Bogle discusses the timeless principles of investing, reflects on structural and regulatory changes in the mutual fund industry, and argues that simplicity and common sense are more effective than costly complexity. He advocates for the use of index funds, highlighting how they outperform actively managed funds due to lower costs and broader diversification.

Stocks for the Long Run provides a detailed analysis of the stock market's historical trends and long-term investment strategies. The book, updated to reflect current market conditions, includes discussions on value investing, ESG issues, the impact of the financial crisis, and the role of international investing. Siegel argues that stocks have consistently outperformed other asset classes over the long term, averaging returns of 6. 5 to 7 percent per year after inflation. The book also addresses market valuation, the effects of inflation and interest rates, and the importance of diversification in a global economy.

Too Big to Fail by Andrew Ross Sorkin provides a minute-by-minute account of the events surrounding the 2007-2008 financial crisis. The book chronicles the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the subsequent efforts by Wall Street and Washington to save the financial system. It is based on hundreds of interviews with top executives and regulators, offering a detailed and dramatic narrative of the crisis, including the motivations of ego, greed, fear, and self-preservation that drove the key players. The book also explores the intricate web of decisions and actions that led to the crisis and the measures taken to mitigate its impact.

The book tells the story of the Oakland Athletics' 2002 season, where General Manager Billy Beane and his assistant Paul DePodesta used advanced statistical analysis, known as sabermetrics, to assemble a competitive team despite a limited budget. The approach, pioneered by Bill James, focused on metrics such as on-base percentage and slugging percentage rather than traditional measures like batting average and runs batted in. This data-driven strategy allowed the Athletics to compete with teams having much larger payrolls, like the New York Yankees, and achieve significant success, including a 20-game winning streak and a playoff appearance.