JD Chazan CPA,CA
The Bookshelf
We can never really read enough. The more we read, the more we know, the more we become comfortable in the environment that we need to operate in. Being aware allows us to make decisions when we need to, to discuss matters of significance with our advsiors. In many respects, reading is the key. Not short snippets on the Internet but books. I am going to share here some of what I think is important. It may not always have to do with bookkeeping, accounting or finance. But we can become more empowered through knowledge.
I have provided links for you to have a look at each of the books at Amazon for easy reference. Good reading!
Here is a great book by a great author-John Kenneth Galbraith. Professor Galbraith dominated the scene for many years with his writings. His work has in many cases withstood the test of time. This is one such book. The book is indeed short and an easy read. Here Professor Galbraith discussed the financial euphoria that comes with sepculative excess. He takes great pains to outline the circumstances under which he sees this happening and the implications.
Perhaps most importantly he discusses his belief that these events will repeat themselves. He attributes it primarily to human nature - greed. You can find many reviews and much commentary on this text. But take the time to read it yourself. It takes little time and the benefits far outweigh the effort to digest the material.
Do yourself a favor, read this book.
I don't know about you, but I really believe that the Interent has changed the way my brain functions. I find that I now skim things when I used to read them. My attention span is short and I find myself almost anxious when I need to sit down and read the material. I used to be able to analyze things, write long reports and do research. All of this seems to be gone. I write in Word as quickly as I can and seem to be unable to review material "off the screen".
So have a read of Nicholas Carr's The Shallows and see what you think. I believe that this impacts everything that we do. Impatient, less than thoughtful, using email and text messaging to communicate rather than picking up the phone and calling. The brave new digital world.
1929 still remains vivid in the minds of many because of the impact that events in that year had on the global economy. The Great Crash and the Great Depression go hand in hand. Although the memory of these events is getting dimmer as fewer and fewer "eye witnesses" remain, there is still much written about the events leading to the Great Crash and its consequences. One such book was written by Professor Galbraith and it still stands tall among the many books written about that time.
It's an interesting read. The forward by his son is certainly worth reading if you read nothing else. But winding your way through the chapters will give you insight on what was going on then. And perhaps more importantly, it will give you insight as to what is going on now. Read it and come to your own conclusions.
Here is an interesting video on the Great Crash. Makes reading the book all the more compelling.