Highly leveraged economies, particularly those in which continual rollover of short-term debt is sustained only by confidence in relatively illiquid underlying assets, seldom survive forever, particularly if leverage continues to grow unchecked. Words: 1264

Jason Zweig’s book begins with these three biblical-style commandments which he returns to throughout the chapters that follow: 1.) Thou shalt take no risk that thou needs not take. 2.) Thou shalt take no risk that is not most certain to reward thee for taking it. 3.) Thou shalt put no money at risk that thou canst not afford to lose. Words: 560

Bernstein’s attitude regarding the financial services industry is downright hostile: he suggests more than once that retail investors won’t go too far wrong by considering any stock broker, financial advisor or insurance salesperson a “hardened criminal.” That’s with respect to evaluating whether their interests are more aligned with their own retirements or that of their clients. Words: 576

Encapsulating the way notable women rise to success is the stated goal of How Remarkable Women Lead and the book is structured around examples, anecdotes, and tips for achieving Centered Leadership and, as such, is best suited to female managers looking for lessons from others’ routes to the top. Words: 737

Roach opines on everything from the North Korean nuclear threat to soft-headed Washington lawmakers but the dominant theme is that the global economy is seriously out of whack and needs a complete rebalancing. American consumers need to stop spending, and Asians need to start. Words: 755

Wessel has put together a defining and vivid look at policymakers’ unprecedented response to the crisis. Wessel’s disconcerting conclusion: Out of necessity Bernanke is playing most of this by ear, loosely interpreting and appropriating arcane laws and creating new powers just to keep the system on its hinges. In Fed We Trust is persuasively told and richly reported. It is an absorbing read and will win awards and inspire copycats. Words: 618