The Zurich Axioms: The Rules of Risk and Reward Used by Generations of Swiss Bankers

Having learnt some of the lessons in this book the hard way, it was a delight to read a series of structured disciplines built through anecdotes of their ascociated perils....Of particular warning were the loyal "Ford" shareholder and the retired couple, reliant on dividends and their annuities that suffered poverty by not managing their wealth in the here and now. Don't be fooled, there is no long term plan.....only the "desire to gain wealth" and how you apply that desire.A super little book with some valuable lessons to adopt even beyond your money management......any one of them could save or make you thousands, as you infuse their intent into your decision making.The single most important take away for me is that we all need to have at least one speculation in play and to manage them all wisely, with discipline.

thought provoking and original ideas. Good handbook for speculators.

This book is such an easy read it should be made compulsory reading. It gives many comparisons between various means of saving including property, bonds and shares and highlights their respective outcomes over the years. It's especially useful now that Britain has started to realise that the state won't fully support people in their times of need and that we all need to build our own nest eggs as soon as we start earning.I've read this book three times now and after each read have become more convinced that you only need a couple of simple finance books in your library and this should be your first one.

Nice, short, easy to read - can get through it in a couple of hours. Deals with the human psychology of speculating (you are always speculating, never investing). Worth going back to and dipping in from time to time to remind oneself. Covers much ground in an effortless way and is more profound than you might expect from the front cover.

I've heard this book described as the worst investment book ever written, and in certain respects it is. You won't find any empirical data of any sort in this book. The only numbers you will find are page numbers. There are no charts, raw data or even the merest mention of company fundamentals. The examples given in support of the Axioms are of dubious veracity, and are only ever vague single instances so demonstrate nothing whatsoever.In its favour, it is a collection of folksy aphorisms which do have some merit. It gives advice like 'trust your hunches, but don't act on them unless you can explain them.' Basically, if a thought pops into your head try to think about it rationally and objectively before acting on it. It's the sort of advice that one might give to a 10 year old child. Nonetheless, it is useful to be reminded of the basics sometimes. Consequently, this book should at best be regarded as an aid memoir for acting with common sense. Three stars is a bit generous, but I found it oddly charming.

Excellent and easy reading.

Well worth a read, these are some fundamental truths on how to invest...ahem, speculate!

I first read this book many years ago and thought I'd give it another visit. The advice and tips are probably even more pertinent today than ever and the writing has lost none of its power. If you only read one financial self help book, choose this one. I gave my last copy away. I'll be keeping this one !

Es un libro muy rápido y muy concreto. Gráficamente describe las características de todos tus amigos perdedores, y te adelanta el hecho de que la vida es difícil, no existe fórmula mágica, debes acostumbrarte a las pérdidas y debes ponerte las pilas... Everybody wants to win, but not everyone wants to bet...

Great reading, after spending few years in stock market and trying all the tricks in public domain, losing some money, this book opens another dimension for me on investment world. Very interesting narrative and interesting perspectives, I was able to extrapolate few axioms to personal life on relations and career management as well

... gäbe es weniger Gewinne an der Börse - einfach, weil weniger Leute einzahlen würden. Der Autor schreibt für meinen Geschmack ein bisschen sehr annektotisch, die Aussagen selbst sind aber wahrhaft axiomatisch. Dabei provozieren sie in gewissem Umfang, z.B. mit der Ausage, dass man immer zu früh aus einer Positionen aussteigen sollte, was meiner bisherigen Überzeugung des "Gewinne laufen lassen" widerspricht. Bei näherer Betrachtung aber erkennt man, dass hinter diesem Axiom das Streben nach absoluter Risikokontrolle steht. Diese absolute Kontrolle ist zwar nicht erreichbar, aber das Streben danach sichert Gewinne und hält Verluste relativ und absolut klein. Die 12 Axiome singen ein Lied auf das EIngehen von Risiken ebenso wie auf deren Kontrolle. Sie zeigen auf das Risiko-Management als das Kernstück, als den eigentlichen "Heiligen Gral" des Erfolgs als Händler. Darin liegt ihr unschätzbarer Wert.

one of the best for me, Love the book.

A pearl, a gem... wonderful book, spirited, great style. A book to read and occasionally re-read and find new meanings and lessons.