Product Description One of Amazon.com's Best Books of 2007 Top 10 Editor's Picks: Finance and Investing
The hedge fund industry's top managers have a penchant for high returns and low profiles. The combination makes them a regular focus of the media, eager to know what makes them tick. Now, thanks to Katherine Burton, who's been covering these noteworthy traders for Bloomberg News for more than a decade, we know considerably more about them. With candor and detail, the industry's most successful hedge fund managers describe the events that shaped their personal journeys, the strategies they use to produce returns even in uncooperative markets, and the attributes that make a smart investor. Hedge Hunters offers a rare look at the industry's top performers and an introduction to some of the most talented new managers, handpicked by the masters themselves.
Good Informative Read November 26, 2008 I knew what this book was before I ordered it (Thanks Amazon.com Reviews!), and knowing what was in store, I rather enjoyed this book. It it not a book on investment techiniques and such that, It's a book of 7-10 page interviews from top hedgefund managers who give their life story of how they became successful, they're approach to their investment strategies and ways they analyze financial instruments. You will NOT be able to run your own hedgefund after reading this book and if you are expecting a bible for hedgefunds, this book is far from it. This book has nothing to do with the techinical side of hedgefunds, but it is pretty insightful to hear from a wide variety of hedgefund managers and hear their advice. Sort of all generic, but hey, can't hurt to read it. Really easy read, read this book in 4 days. Now Bloomberg's Fibonacci Analaysis by Constance brown, thats a different story haha.
Reader-friendly interviews with hedge-fund legends September 22, 2008 What are the qualities of a successful hedge fund manager? To answer that question, Katherine Burton profiled industry leaders who have outperformed their peers over time. Her book provides readers with a sweeping introduction to the hedge fund industry's top performers. You will discover how these investors got to the top, what strategies they employ, how they learn from their mistakes and what characteristics they find necessary to succeed in this very competitive environment. Burton profiles an impressive group: Mark Yusko, Michael Steinhardt, John Armitage, Marc Lasry, Craig Effron, Lee Ainslie, Bernay Box, Boone Pickens, Brian Bradshaw, David Meaney, Michael Ross, Alex Szewczyk, Josh Friedman, Mitch Julis, Jeffrey Schachter, Burton Weinstein, Dwight Anderson, Roberto Mignone, Bruce Ritter, Julian Roberston, Jim Chanos, Richard Perry and Daniel Loeb. While Burton provides a rare glimpse inside the world of these hedge fund managers, her very readable interviews are too brief for those searching for inside knowledge about hedge funds. Those seeking in-depth discussions of investment techniques and trading strategies may wish that she had dug a little more deeply. Nevertheless, getAbstract likes this quick, easy-to-read set of profiles from the world of hedge funds, and recommends it to anyone who wants a peek behind the curtain into this elite domain.
Interesting, but not particularly useful September 10, 2008 1 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book is a list of 18 case studies of successful hedge fund managers. Unfortunately there are few common themes tying these stories together. According to Burton, the basic mechanics of money management can be taught, but that "special sauce" that really successful managers have can't be, and this is what she attempts to uncover in this book.
Each of the fund managers interviewed talk about favorite "values" relating to risk-taking, hiring, using (or not using) leverage, etc, and about their historical strategies: how they chose markets, how they handled the dotcom bubble burst, their biggest successes and failures. But most of their stories are anecdotal, and focus a little too much on their "boy genius" beginnings. They don't give any actual advice, nor do they disclose any current strategies. And why would they? This would likely jeopardize their current positions.
As a middle class worker with decent savings and an active interest in investing, I found this book a bit frustrating: no actionable investing advice is given, and while I really liked the style and strategy of some of the fund managers who were interviewed, I am not rich enough for investing with them to even be an option.
bberg 'news' is negative selling point August 29, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I stopped reading this after I saw the cover where the author advertises that she is from bloomberg 'news'... which in my personal experience is notoriously loose with facts.
In my view the author should de-emphasize her background at bberg 'news'.
Who the players are August 27, 2008 This book listed a lot of the players and how they got started and what decisions made them money. A straightforward read.
