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Wunderkind on Wheels

Customer Rating:

Jim Rogers took this trip and wrote this book in the very early 1990's, so you don't want to read it for specific investment advice. Rogers is not really a travel guy either nor is he a particularly good writer, so don't look here for travel guidance or entertainment. What useful travel information can a rich dude with a pocketful of platinum credit cards share with an ordinary Joe on a budget? No, what you want to remember here is that this is the guy who with George Soros in 1970 established the Quantum Fund, the first really international fund, which in the first ten years, gained 3400% while the S&P gained 50%. Rogers retired at 38 in 1980 and started his peripatetic second incarnation. If you're into bikes and babes, and who isn't, you'll enjoy this enjoy this tale of toil and bike maintenance. But what you really want to look for are Rogers' insights as to change, flux, as the only real constant you can count on. Don't believe that you can count forever on the world looking like it does now. Don't even count on the United States looking as it does now. That's long term. Shorter term you can expect evolution, some rapid, some more rapid, in countries and markets all over the globe. Looking back, he didn't get it all right. But he got quite a bit of it right. The rise of China, the collapse of our economy under its own weight of debt. Rogers is still going, still traveling and writing. Now he's sold out his home and his dollars and moved to Singapore. He's still predicting, pontificating, patronizing. He may be a bit hard to take. Chronic winners always are. But we could do a whole lot worse than to keep one eye on Rogers for a clue as to our own economic and financial future. If he comes across a bit arrogant, I supposed he is entitled.

Great Book	Customer Rating:
I read this book over 2 weeks riding the train to work. It was a great read I really enjoyed it. Some of the book has lost its revelance as the book addresses some political issues that occured some time ago. However, the outlook on history was fantastic. In the end he was right. Good book even if you are not a 'finance' reader.

Interesting Read.

Customer Rating:

While in China for business one of my coworkers recommended this book. The author and a female friend traveled through China, as well as the rest of the world, on two BMW motorcycles. I am a cycle enthusiast so I wanted to see about their trip. The author is a self made millionaire and very stuck on himself, his opinions and his life. Why his female friend stayed with him I have no idea. But he does do a good job of descrbing the countries, the people and the conditions within which they survive. A good read. Would recommend it to other travelers.

More great lessons from a true explorer--a true patriot--a financial "scientist"

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Despite many comments in other reviews, this book is much, much, more than a travelogue...it is essential reading for all long term investors...moreover, it ought to be essential reading for all government officials who want to keep America great. After traveling around and seeing all these countries, it is hard to see how another human being could have acquired the scope of knowledge that Rogers now possesses...so his wisdom counts! Major lesson from this book include: 1)the major focus of government should be (besides defense, police, fire, etc.) to get out of the way and unleash the desire of the population to chase high return opportunities...but not to protect the population from competition 2)eliminate protectionism and subsides for all industries within the economy...allowing one's industries to take its lumps in the world wide competitive market...otherwise, those industries will not innovate to the degree needed to stay competitive on the world market 3)nothing in society is permanent...the most successful societies adapt to and embrace change and competition...the least successful ones--the ones that end up dying--reach a point of success...then get fat and happy and try to preserve their status at all costs 4)do NOT leave your finances in the hands of others...even Jim Rogers did this...and he had his money stolen out from under him!! 5)stable, long term relationships are invaluable...poor Jim travels around with this "young leggy blonde" (who my mom referred to as a "tart")...who he obviously loves...but who appears to have "hit the road" after the trip...too bad...

Great travel yarn as the Iron Curtain was coming down	Customer Rating:
I really enjoyed this book. He made some really great predictions, and was off the mark on others. The dollar being devalued is happening now, but there were no wars in Central Europe, except Yugoslavia. Very insightful travel book, ala Iberia from James Michener though not as academic. Easy, exciting read.