Masters in Business: OSAM Patrick O’Shaughnessy (Audio)

In this book, Jared Diamond explains why Eurasian and North African civilizations have survived and conquered others. He argues that differences in societal development arise primarily from geographical causes. The book details how agricultural societies developed immunities to deadly diseases, advanced in technology, and formed centralized political structures, ultimately leading to the conquest of other societies. Diamond also discusses the impact of germs, domesticated animals, and environmental factors on human history[2][4][5].

In 'What Works on Wall Street', James P. O'Shaughnessy provides an in-depth analysis of over 90 years of stock market data to identify the most effective investment strategies. The book examines various factors such as price-to-earnings ratios, price-to-sales, price-to-book value, dividend yields, and more. It challenges conventional wisdom and offers multifactor strategies that have historically generated the best returns. The book is designed to help investors of all levels, from conservative to aggressive, in selecting the best strategies for their investment objectives.

In 'Last Ape Standing', Chip Walter delves into the evolutionary journey of humans, exploring how our unique traits, such as premature birth and extended childhood, contributed to our survival. The book also profiles other human species like Neanderthals and Denisovans, offering insights into their coexistence and eventual extinction.

The book begins with the discovery of a young woman's body during the grand opening celebration of the Nakamoto Corporation's new headquarters in Los Angeles. Lieutenant Peter J. Smith and retired Captain John Connor, who is well-acquainted with Japanese culture, are tasked with solving the murder. The investigation delves into a complex web of industrial intrigue, corporate battles, and cultural differences between Japan and the United States. Crichton explores themes of Japanese economic dominance, cultural differences, and the implications of foreign direct investment in the U.S. high-technology sectors[1][4][5].

In 'Devil Take the Hindmost,' Edward Chancellor traces the origins of the speculative spirit back to ancient Rome and chronicles its revival in the modern world. The book covers various financial bubbles and crashes, including the tulip scandal of 1630s Holland, the South Sea Bubble of 1720, the railway mania of the 19th century, the crash of 1929, and more recent events like the dotcom bubble and the Japanese bubble economy. Chancellor explores how human psychology and financial practices have led to repeated cycles of speculation and financial instability over the centuries.

In this book, Daniel Kahneman takes readers on a tour of the mind, explaining how the two systems of thought shape our judgments and decisions. System 1 is fast, automatic, and emotional, while System 2 is slower, effortful, and logical. Kahneman discusses the impact of cognitive biases, the difficulties of predicting future happiness, and the effects of overconfidence on corporate strategies. He offers practical insights into how to guard against mental glitches and how to benefit from slow thinking in both personal and business life. The book also explores the distinction between the 'experiencing self' and the 'remembering self' and their roles in our perception of happiness.

Millennial Money encourages young investors to start investing early and globally, highlighting the importance of overcoming behavioral pitfalls and leveraging the power of compounding. The book provides strategies to help millennials become successful investors despite their skepticism and the challenges they face.