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You Weren't Supposed To See That: Secrets Every Investor Should Know
There are secret ways of seeing the world of finance that every investor should know.
Overlooked things that tip the balance from failure to success.
Hidden truths that make the critical difference between understanding the world and being dangerously naive.
And surprising realities that determine whether or not you and your family are on the path to generational wealth.
In You Weren’t Supposed to See That, Downtown Josh Brown—the original Wall Street blogger, star of CNBC’s Halftime Report, and manager of billions of dollars as CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management—collects and shares the most important of these secrets.
Drawing on 15 years of The Reformed Broker, the most-read financial blog in the world, Josh revisits, updates, and expands on the best of his wildly popular writing. As he does so, he helps you to discover all the most important, surprising, and sometimes painfully true secrets of finance, investing, and Wall Street that you need to know to thrive today.
With Downtown Josh Brown as your guide, you’ll see things how they really are—and as you never have before.
Overlooked things that tip the balance from failure to success.
Hidden truths that make the critical difference between understanding the world and being dangerously naive.
And surprising realities that determine whether or not you and your family are on the path to generational wealth.
In You Weren’t Supposed to See That, Downtown Josh Brown—the original Wall Street blogger, star of CNBC’s Halftime Report, and manager of billions of dollars as CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management—collects and shares the most important of these secrets.
Drawing on 15 years of The Reformed Broker, the most-read financial blog in the world, Josh revisits, updates, and expands on the best of his wildly popular writing. As he does so, he helps you to discover all the most important, surprising, and sometimes painfully true secrets of finance, investing, and Wall Street that you need to know to thrive today.
With Downtown Josh Brown as your guide, you’ll see things how they really are—and as you never have before.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published September 3, 2024
110 people are currently reading
498 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 8, 2024
Great stuff. My proper review is here: https://patricksherriff.com/2024/10/0...
February 9, 2025
The book comprises blog posts from roughly 2013-2022, followed by modern updates. Few if any of these convey "secrets every investor should know". Instead, they offer no-nonsense but also often "yeah, no shit" comment on whatever was going on at the time. Ridiculously, nobody thought to put dates at the start of each post - or thought that doing so would reduce sales from people flicking through deciding whether to buy. So you get posts about, say, 2015 that you think might be about 2021 until you reach the update.
Brown is a decent writer, but no more than that. He's not a great writer, nor particularly insightful. If I'd been reading these posts on his blog at the time, I'd have thought he was a welcome common-sense voice. But as a book they offer little you don't already know.
Brown is a decent writer, but no more than that. He's not a great writer, nor particularly insightful. If I'd been reading these posts on his blog at the time, I'd have thought he was a welcome common-sense voice. But as a book they offer little you don't already know.
November 4, 2024
Swift writing but it's pure marketing his company by selecting old blog posts and providing commentary in hindsight.
November 4, 2024
Generic but good enough read
Notes:
- People are witnessing the erosion of their roles and feel a palpable loss of dignity as their purpose in society diminishes
- The relentless advancement of technology suggests that there are no safe havens left, challenging the very essence of human contribution.
- Invest in the technologies that are disrupting human life and work or face increasing irrelevance
- The investment landscape has transformed dramatically over recent years. Showing a pronounced shift toward fee-based management strategies in major financial institutions
- Jesse Livermore noted the influence of basic human emotions such as greed, fear, ignorance, and hope on market patterns, a perspective that remains valid today
- The meme have fun staying poor encapsulates this era's anxiety, highlighting the scorn directed at those not participating in the crypto wealth creation surge
- Interaction on platforms like X reveals this envy, where even those profiting substantially feel compelled to see others acknowledge their success, often leading to public spats and displays of one upmanship
- Technicians prioritize the study of price actions and trends over traditional fundamental analysis, which might focus on financial statements or economic forecasts. They believe that understanding the actual transactions in the market, what people are buying and selling right now, is more indicative of true market conditions than historical data or predictive models.
Notes:
- People are witnessing the erosion of their roles and feel a palpable loss of dignity as their purpose in society diminishes
- The relentless advancement of technology suggests that there are no safe havens left, challenging the very essence of human contribution.
- Invest in the technologies that are disrupting human life and work or face increasing irrelevance
- The investment landscape has transformed dramatically over recent years. Showing a pronounced shift toward fee-based management strategies in major financial institutions
- Jesse Livermore noted the influence of basic human emotions such as greed, fear, ignorance, and hope on market patterns, a perspective that remains valid today
- The meme have fun staying poor encapsulates this era's anxiety, highlighting the scorn directed at those not participating in the crypto wealth creation surge
- Interaction on platforms like X reveals this envy, where even those profiting substantially feel compelled to see others acknowledge their success, often leading to public spats and displays of one upmanship
- Technicians prioritize the study of price actions and trends over traditional fundamental analysis, which might focus on financial statements or economic forecasts. They believe that understanding the actual transactions in the market, what people are buying and selling right now, is more indicative of true market conditions than historical data or predictive models.
December 29, 2025
This book is a compilation of Josh’s articles from his now defunct blog “The Reformed Broker.” Each article is then followed by a shorter, more recent (2024) follow-on.
Josh is a great writer, but if you already follow his extensive media work (and if you’re reading this book you probably do), this book will inevitably feel repetitive.
And if you don’t follow Josh’s work, then just follow him on YouTube and social media.
So, I can’t really recommend this book to anyone. This is not a quality issue, but just a reflection that there’s really no audience for it.
Josh is a great writer, but if you already follow his extensive media work (and if you’re reading this book you probably do), this book will inevitably feel repetitive.
And if you don’t follow Josh’s work, then just follow him on YouTube and social media.
So, I can’t really recommend this book to anyone. This is not a quality issue, but just a reflection that there’s really no audience for it.
November 5, 2024
In "You Weren't Supposed to See That", Joshua Brown provides a refreshing, no-nonsense perspective on the realities of the financial world. He tackles the illusions surrounding modern investing and sheds light on how automation, social media, and passive investment strategies are reshaping how individuals approach their financial futures. The book addresses a series of fundamental shifts in the investment landscape, each representing a challenge for those trying to navigate a world where financial advice and market theories can often seem contradictory or bewildering.
One major theme is the impact of automation on investment behavior. As automation increasingly displaces traditional job roles, individuals are investing defensively in technology stocks to avoid economic obsolescence. For many, investing in companies like Amazon, Facebook, or Google isn’t just about wealth accumulation—it’s about survival. Automation is transforming from a technological advancement to an economic threat, compelling investors to buy into the very tech giants that are rendering their skills obsolete. Rather than investing purely for growth, people are pouring money into these stocks to maintain relevance in an economy where traditional roles are disappearing. Brown argues that this fear-driven investment trend reveals a striking shift: if people can’t beat the robots, they’re choosing to join them.
In recent years, a noticeable shift from commission-based models to fee-based, passive investment strategies has fundamentally changed the way financial advisors approach wealth management. This trend has led to a more passive investment environment, with advisors focusing on long-term vehicles like mutual funds, index funds, and managed accounts. This steady, ongoing investment approach injects stability into the market, creating consistent demand for equities and fostering a market that trends upwards over time. Brown suggests that this fee-based management trend reflects broader demographic shifts, with investors increasingly prioritizing steady growth and stability over the frenetic trading that once characterized the stock market. The result is a more resilient market that is less prone to dramatic fluctuations, yet one that may also limit opportunities for rapid gains.
Brown also dives into how emotions, especially insecurity and envy, have taken on new forms in today’s investing world. Social media plays a significant role here, amplifying these feelings in ways that can cloud rational judgment. Where greed and fear once motivated investors, a fear of missing out (FOMO) and a sense of envy now drive many to chase high-risk investments, hoping to match the perceived success of others. This phenomenon is especially prevalent in the crypto space, where sudden wealth is often flaunted on social media, fostering a culture where financial gains become status symbols and even a form of competitive display. Brown argues that managing emotional responses is essential for today’s investors, as the constant barrage of others’ achievements can lead to reactionary investments rather than sound, long-term strategies.
In line with his advocacy for straightforward investment principles, Brown champions simplicity as a foundation for sound investment. He explains that while complexity can seem enticing, it often carries hidden risks. Brown uses the collapse of SunEdison as a cautionary tale of how overly complex financial structures can lead even savvy investors astray. Successful investors, he notes, stick to simple, well-understood strategies rather than chasing sophisticated ventures that promise high rewards but often result in devastating losses. Brown’s message is clear: simplicity not only reduces risk but is a proven strategy that outlasts the fluctuations of trendy, complicated investment schemes.
Finally, Brown underscores the importance of price signals in navigating uncertain markets. In times of volatility, he argues, price movements offer the most reliable indicators of market sentiment. This approach, often referred to as technical analysis, suggests that price actions reflect collective investor psychology and provide a clearer picture than traditional financial reports. Rather than focusing on complex fundamentals, Brown advises investors to pay attention to price trends, which tend to follow patterns that can reveal support and resistance levels in the market. This price-focused approach, he suggests, enables investors to stay responsive to market conditions and more attuned to real-time changes in sentiment.
In "You Weren't Supposed to See That", Brown delivers a compelling guide for navigating today’s complex financial landscape. He challenges readers to rethink their strategies, advocating for disciplined, evidence-based investing that emphasizes clarity, emotional resilience, and simplicity over speculative complexity. His insights offer a grounded approach for anyone seeking to thrive in an investment world increasingly driven by automation, passive strategies, and social media-fueled emotional currents. Brown’s book is a valuable resource for investors who want to cut through the noise and make sound, purposeful financial decisions.
One major theme is the impact of automation on investment behavior. As automation increasingly displaces traditional job roles, individuals are investing defensively in technology stocks to avoid economic obsolescence. For many, investing in companies like Amazon, Facebook, or Google isn’t just about wealth accumulation—it’s about survival. Automation is transforming from a technological advancement to an economic threat, compelling investors to buy into the very tech giants that are rendering their skills obsolete. Rather than investing purely for growth, people are pouring money into these stocks to maintain relevance in an economy where traditional roles are disappearing. Brown argues that this fear-driven investment trend reveals a striking shift: if people can’t beat the robots, they’re choosing to join them.
In recent years, a noticeable shift from commission-based models to fee-based, passive investment strategies has fundamentally changed the way financial advisors approach wealth management. This trend has led to a more passive investment environment, with advisors focusing on long-term vehicles like mutual funds, index funds, and managed accounts. This steady, ongoing investment approach injects stability into the market, creating consistent demand for equities and fostering a market that trends upwards over time. Brown suggests that this fee-based management trend reflects broader demographic shifts, with investors increasingly prioritizing steady growth and stability over the frenetic trading that once characterized the stock market. The result is a more resilient market that is less prone to dramatic fluctuations, yet one that may also limit opportunities for rapid gains.
Brown also dives into how emotions, especially insecurity and envy, have taken on new forms in today’s investing world. Social media plays a significant role here, amplifying these feelings in ways that can cloud rational judgment. Where greed and fear once motivated investors, a fear of missing out (FOMO) and a sense of envy now drive many to chase high-risk investments, hoping to match the perceived success of others. This phenomenon is especially prevalent in the crypto space, where sudden wealth is often flaunted on social media, fostering a culture where financial gains become status symbols and even a form of competitive display. Brown argues that managing emotional responses is essential for today’s investors, as the constant barrage of others’ achievements can lead to reactionary investments rather than sound, long-term strategies.
In line with his advocacy for straightforward investment principles, Brown champions simplicity as a foundation for sound investment. He explains that while complexity can seem enticing, it often carries hidden risks. Brown uses the collapse of SunEdison as a cautionary tale of how overly complex financial structures can lead even savvy investors astray. Successful investors, he notes, stick to simple, well-understood strategies rather than chasing sophisticated ventures that promise high rewards but often result in devastating losses. Brown’s message is clear: simplicity not only reduces risk but is a proven strategy that outlasts the fluctuations of trendy, complicated investment schemes.
Finally, Brown underscores the importance of price signals in navigating uncertain markets. In times of volatility, he argues, price movements offer the most reliable indicators of market sentiment. This approach, often referred to as technical analysis, suggests that price actions reflect collective investor psychology and provide a clearer picture than traditional financial reports. Rather than focusing on complex fundamentals, Brown advises investors to pay attention to price trends, which tend to follow patterns that can reveal support and resistance levels in the market. This price-focused approach, he suggests, enables investors to stay responsive to market conditions and more attuned to real-time changes in sentiment.
In "You Weren't Supposed to See That", Brown delivers a compelling guide for navigating today’s complex financial landscape. He challenges readers to rethink their strategies, advocating for disciplined, evidence-based investing that emphasizes clarity, emotional resilience, and simplicity over speculative complexity. His insights offer a grounded approach for anyone seeking to thrive in an investment world increasingly driven by automation, passive strategies, and social media-fueled emotional currents. Brown’s book is a valuable resource for investors who want to cut through the noise and make sound, purposeful financial decisions.
December 17, 2024
Can a collection of blog posts make for a good book? In You Weren’t Supposed to See That Josh Brown proves that it can. One of the original Wall Street bloggers, star of CNBC’s Halftime Report, and CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management, Brown collects and shares crucial secrets every investor should know, all of which are as relevant today as on the day he postulated them for the first time. Drawing on 15 years of publishing The Reformed Broker, a highly popular financial blog, he revisits, updates, and expands on the best of his wildly popular writing. In doing so, he pulls back the curtain on Wall Street, promising to equip readers with the “secret weapons” of successful investors.
Brown delves into the often-opaque world of finance, revealing what traditional financial advice fails to address. He tackles critical themes like the impact of automation, social media, and passive investment strategies on the financial landscape. Most of these topics will be familiar to reflected investors: Don’t let social media and your emotions sway your strategy. Simplicity trumps complexity in the investment world. And passive investing has soared over the past years. There is, however, a very fresh angle on tech investing.
Readers of The New Frontier will probably find the lessons on automation and the current technological upheaval most interesting. In Brown’s view, tech giants like Meta or Google are poised to run even more of our economy than they do today. At the same time, they will displace ever more people from their jobs. In a mentality that can best be summarized as “if you can’t bet them, join them” many investors flock to Big Tech. They are a life-insurance for future financial survival. It is the only safe-haven left, as even highly-educated white-collar workers are threatened by AI and other technologies. This trend might fuel the first ever investment bubble driven by fear. The paradox situation is, the more capital is funneled into these groundbreaking technologies and the corporations seemingly dominating them, the sooner those seismic shifts will take place.
Brown’s refreshingly direct and honest writing style shines through. He leverages his background as a Wall Street insider to provide a relatable and engaging experience for readers, especially those unfamiliar with financial terminology. While the book draws on Brown’s experience managing billions of dollars, the core principles are relevant to a wide audience. Above all, its adds a valuable perspective on whether to invest in Big Tech.
The original book review can be found here: https://igorpejic.substack.com/
Brown delves into the often-opaque world of finance, revealing what traditional financial advice fails to address. He tackles critical themes like the impact of automation, social media, and passive investment strategies on the financial landscape. Most of these topics will be familiar to reflected investors: Don’t let social media and your emotions sway your strategy. Simplicity trumps complexity in the investment world. And passive investing has soared over the past years. There is, however, a very fresh angle on tech investing.
Readers of The New Frontier will probably find the lessons on automation and the current technological upheaval most interesting. In Brown’s view, tech giants like Meta or Google are poised to run even more of our economy than they do today. At the same time, they will displace ever more people from their jobs. In a mentality that can best be summarized as “if you can’t bet them, join them” many investors flock to Big Tech. They are a life-insurance for future financial survival. It is the only safe-haven left, as even highly-educated white-collar workers are threatened by AI and other technologies. This trend might fuel the first ever investment bubble driven by fear. The paradox situation is, the more capital is funneled into these groundbreaking technologies and the corporations seemingly dominating them, the sooner those seismic shifts will take place.
Brown’s refreshingly direct and honest writing style shines through. He leverages his background as a Wall Street insider to provide a relatable and engaging experience for readers, especially those unfamiliar with financial terminology. While the book draws on Brown’s experience managing billions of dollars, the core principles are relevant to a wide audience. Above all, its adds a valuable perspective on whether to invest in Big Tech.
The original book review can be found here: https://igorpejic.substack.com/
December 7, 2024
You Weren’t Supposed to See That by Joshua Brown is an eye-opening book about the changes in the financial world and how they affect the way we invest. Brown explains complex topics in simple ways, making it easier for readers to understand what’s really going on in the markets.
One key theme is how automation is transforming the economy. With more jobs being replaced by technology, people are investing in big tech companies like Amazon and Google not just to grow their wealth, but to feel secure in a world where traditional jobs are disappearing.
The book also discusses the shift toward fee-based, passive investment strategies like index funds. This approach has made the market more stable but has also limited opportunities for quick profits. Brown highlights how this reflects a preference for steady, long-term growth.
Another important topic is the emotional side of investing. Brown shows how social media creates envy and FOMO, pushing people to make risky choices like chasing crypto trends. He emphasizes the need to manage emotions and stick to rational, well-thought-out decisions.
Overall, Brown advocates for simplicity in investing. He warns against complicated schemes that promise high returns but often lead to losses. This book is a great guide for anyone looking to navigate today’s financial world with confidence and clarity.
One key theme is how automation is transforming the economy. With more jobs being replaced by technology, people are investing in big tech companies like Amazon and Google not just to grow their wealth, but to feel secure in a world where traditional jobs are disappearing.
The book also discusses the shift toward fee-based, passive investment strategies like index funds. This approach has made the market more stable but has also limited opportunities for quick profits. Brown highlights how this reflects a preference for steady, long-term growth.
Another important topic is the emotional side of investing. Brown shows how social media creates envy and FOMO, pushing people to make risky choices like chasing crypto trends. He emphasizes the need to manage emotions and stick to rational, well-thought-out decisions.
Overall, Brown advocates for simplicity in investing. He warns against complicated schemes that promise high returns but often lead to losses. This book is a great guide for anyone looking to navigate today’s financial world with confidence and clarity.
November 3, 2024
I like that Joshua says whatever is on his mind and doesn't sugar-coat his thoughts. If you like finance, this book would be a good one to read.
I have hope for our future. There are a ton of people in Portland Oregon who are retired and they volunteer all the time for no money just to keep busy and be part of a community. The retired people in my life are some of the hardest workers I know in that they are helping raise young kids and volunteering their time for many different things. In fact, I know a younger retired pilot who is building a plane from scratch in his barn. And many of them don't even go out to eat and rarely travel. I hope the next generations are just as amazing. I believe that people would still create and find things to do to make our community and planet strong. Heck, maybe robots will be running the restaurants making/serving our food/washing our dishes in the future and who knows what humans will end up doing. People are curious, they want to keep moving.
From the book: “No one ever has to defend an index. It’s an absurd proposition. It’s like having to defend the weather. Nobody has to answer to the weather. The S&P 500 is the weather.”
I have hope for our future. There are a ton of people in Portland Oregon who are retired and they volunteer all the time for no money just to keep busy and be part of a community. The retired people in my life are some of the hardest workers I know in that they are helping raise young kids and volunteering their time for many different things. In fact, I know a younger retired pilot who is building a plane from scratch in his barn. And many of them don't even go out to eat and rarely travel. I hope the next generations are just as amazing. I believe that people would still create and find things to do to make our community and planet strong. Heck, maybe robots will be running the restaurants making/serving our food/washing our dishes in the future and who knows what humans will end up doing. People are curious, they want to keep moving.
From the book: “No one ever has to defend an index. It’s an absurd proposition. It’s like having to defend the weather. Nobody has to answer to the weather. The S&P 500 is the weather.”
October 7, 2024
Always been a big fan of Josh Brown's "Reformed Broker" blog and now that he has shut the blog down, this book serves as a great coda to that project. Josh goes through all his blog posts on the market and the life of a finance professional over the years and presents his favorites. Then at the end of each chapter he reviews the relevance and/or prescience to the present day. How did his predictions turn out. How on or off base was he with each blog post after many yearrs hindsight.
My only critique is the titular chapter how about how the COVID financial measures the Federal govt took made everyone rich with stimmy checks and aggressive QE, but the system cant have eveyone win so the Fed had to raise rates and the stimmy checks had to end. Its a huge set of strawmen that suggests Josh needs to get out more or something.
My only critique is the titular chapter how about how the COVID financial measures the Federal govt took made everyone rich with stimmy checks and aggressive QE, but the system cant have eveyone win so the Fed had to raise rates and the stimmy checks had to end. Its a huge set of strawmen that suggests Josh needs to get out more or something.
January 5, 2025
The meat of this book is a collection of key blog posts over the years by the author, a well-established financial advisor, wealth manager and media commentator. The blog posts are at various points in time over the years. However, after each blog post the author provides further insight and remarks written in the present time (2024). The book is full of lessons learned and investment perspectives, which can be applied by any investor in practice. The author has had an interesting upbringing starting in some of the fruitier brokerage shops in the wider New York area before becoming a blogger, financial advisor, media commentator and wealth manager. The author’s backstory is mentioned in passing and is the subject of one of his previous books. All in all this is a very good book and one full of well thought through perspectives.
September 23, 2024
I like reading the classics from Josh and the updated commentary. It was actually a nice way to reflect. (Generally who has time to read something twice so this was a nice way to do that) - I liked it. Worked for me.
My fav chapter happened to be also the title of the book. We are all winning the game but no one is allowed to be the winner. (“You weren’t supposed to see that) going by the media / news we are a miserable lot. I like the recommendation on how to distract yourself from the rest of your portfolio and even start rooting for big market drops. This is something I will put into place.
My fav chapter happened to be also the title of the book. We are all winning the game but no one is allowed to be the winner. (“You weren’t supposed to see that) going by the media / news we are a miserable lot. I like the recommendation on how to distract yourself from the rest of your portfolio and even start rooting for big market drops. This is something I will put into place.
November 29, 2024
Thanks Josh for a poignant take on important info for investors to consider as they navigate the changing winds of those things that impact investing. I appreciate your candor and look forward to reading more of your work and continuing to learn from you through Ritholtz Wealth Management.
You offer good suggestions on how to use current info to consider as you evaluate and re-evaluate investments and how to focus on the big picture vs. each investment scenario as you decide what to do with capital and one's investments to build and manage wealth. Your storytelling it very good and you have a lot to offer as a professional and writer.
You offer good suggestions on how to use current info to consider as you evaluate and re-evaluate investments and how to focus on the big picture vs. each investment scenario as you decide what to do with capital and one's investments to build and manage wealth. Your storytelling it very good and you have a lot to offer as a professional and writer.
November 4, 2024
Summary:
The automation is reshaping job security, pushing individuals to invest defensively in technology to stay economically relevant. We're also seeing the investment landscape shifting toward fee-based management, favoring long-term growth and stability. Emotional factors like insecurity and envy are increasingly influencing investment decisions, necessitating disciplined, rational planning. And now more than ever, simplicity in investment strategies offers clarity and reduces risk, countering the allure of complex financial ventures.
The automation is reshaping job security, pushing individuals to invest defensively in technology to stay economically relevant. We're also seeing the investment landscape shifting toward fee-based management, favoring long-term growth and stability. Emotional factors like insecurity and envy are increasingly influencing investment decisions, necessitating disciplined, rational planning. And now more than ever, simplicity in investment strategies offers clarity and reduces risk, countering the allure of complex financial ventures.
September 20, 2024
While the author is able to write in an entertaining manner about investing and the markets, I was surprised that most of the book is reprints of old blog posts which Brown then follows with current commentary. He makes some good points and the format does help show what has and has not changed over the last decade, but it still feels a bit of a cheap out. On the bright side it is a short quick read. Not recommended.
December 4, 2024
I feel so lucky to have found Josh Brown on Twitter way back when. And the whole Ritholtz crew. They're all my favorite and I tune into what they produce every week. I'm not even in the industry but Josh is a legend to me. Not just for his mission to genuinely help people be better off financially, but for his unmatched ability to write from his heart and with pinpoint clarity and wit. I have the utmost gratitude for his writing and his work.
December 28, 2024
Really good financial book. When I switched over to passive index investing 15+ years ago I stopped reading current books on investing and finance. This was a really good way to get quickly up to date on what has been going on. Turns out I’m not the only one who switched to passive index investing and it had a major impact on the finance industry.
This book is at its best when discussing strategies and attitudes to get through a downturn. Highly recommended.
This book is at its best when discussing strategies and attitudes to get through a downturn. Highly recommended.
January 24, 2025
Been a fan of Josh Brown since 2020 when I started tuning in to the Halftime Report on CNBC. I listen to his podcast and was a subscriber to his blog. I’m an amateur investor so some of this book was over my head, but still overall enjoyed it. I didn’t know going into it that it was previously posted blogs, with an update reflecting on the subject in present day. His writing is funny and informative and it was a fun read to kick off 2025.
October 9, 2024
If you’re a consistent reader of the blog over the years, it’s him just updating the information. However, there’s lots of great tales from his life when he discusses finally watching “Wolf of Wall Street” and how he failed out of college before falling into his career path.
November 16, 2024
A perfect description of how the financial advising world works! It's a fantastic read for those wanting to get a glimpse into how their "financial advisor" is compensated and how the industry hasn't kept up with investor demand.
January 31, 2025
These kind of books are rarely good, but I like the cut of Josh's jib. What I don't like is the format of this book: each chapter is a blog post from yesteryear followed by his commentary years later with hindsight.
March 2, 2025
I’d already read most of the blog posts converted to chapters here, but the updated commentary was fun to see how things have (and haven’t) changed over the years. The last two chapters were my favorite.
September 21, 2024
Lean towards optimism, even if you have to work a little for it. Love the Jordan Belfort allusion and the powerful "No" story.
October 3, 2024
Great collection of former essays with updated thoughts by the man himself. Approachable and honest views about finance the markets and the advice business
November 12, 2024
A compilation of various posts from his old site (that I rarely read) along with updated thoughts. Great stuff.
November 25, 2024
“I asked which currently had more value -- having a generic 4-year degree from Anytown University, or an Instagram account with a million followers?”
December 24, 2024
I liked how the book reflected on old blog posts about market events but I did not like when it focused on generally being a good advisor.
April 22, 2025
Immaterial.
Rehashed blog posts.
Rehashed blog posts.
June 8, 2025
It's fun and has some insights, but lots of implicit and explicit marketing of his company as well
June 16, 2025
Started strong and very informative. Lost my interest halfway through. DNF
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews