The Money Masters

by John Train

Here are insights into nine of the most successful investors of our time -- Benjamin Graham, Warren Buffett, John Templeton, and Philip Fisher, among others. In these fascinating profiles John Train reveals the unique investment styles that have made each a master: the traits that distinguish them from the crowd and the techniques that create the single characteristic unifying them all -- consisently profitable investments. Their methods, Train reveals, include those both the nonprofessional and the seasoned investor can apply for profit.

Genres: Finance, Business, Nonfiction, Money, Economics, Biography

301 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

John Pell Coster Train was an American investment advisor and writer. He was a founding editor of The Paris Review.

Reviews

[Jack Fernandes · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Train is an incredibly entertaining biographer and investor. This short book profiles some of history’s greatest investors, from Warren Buffet and Benjamin Graham to John Templeton and T Rowe Price. I read this book after I had already read the sequel (The New Money Masters) and thought that it was just as enjoyable. I’d recommend this book to all investors.

[Said · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oldies but goldies

[Gabriel Pinkus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool appendices with stock holdings in the back. Good interview with Buffett back in the late 70's early 80's.

[Alton Motobu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A chance to know a little bit about 9 financial geniuses and how they succeeded in the stock market - one chapter is devoted to each genius. We get some biographical information, some anecdotes about their successes (and failures), and their strategies for investing and making money. Each one is different. One noticeable missing master is John Bogle, the founder of Vanguard. He should be considered a "money master" but he is not ever mentioned. All-in-all an interesting book about nine different men who succeeded in the market using different strategies, but this is not a "how-to" manual.

[Jennifer Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is some great information hidden within this book but much of the book is out of date. Many of the "Masters" were investing in a different market, before online investing and high frequency trading. It is great to get insight into other investors methods and opinions and to see the vast difference in opinions between the Masters and who you, as the reader, best aligns with. I recommend it for an interesting read and some insight but expect some sifting to find the gems.

[Tab Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent book. The chapters on Templeton and Buffett were by far the most interesting. Mostly short biographies on each investor and his style. Recommend checking this out in the library versus buying and only read about the investors you are interested in.

[Jeremy Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A man walked into a fishing store, filled with hooks, bugs, and bait. The man asked the salesman incredulously, “Do fish really like these things?” The salesman replied coldly, “I don’t sell to fish.”

[Gopal Sadagopal · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most influential books on smart investing. Must read for anyone who wants to invest in stock market. Lessons that would be valuable in any time.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good mini-bio of a small handful of "super-investors" of the early and mid-20th century. Worth a look.

[Drew Boswell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still relevant, maybe more so, though published in 1980.

[John Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic investor profiles