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Confessions of Stock Market Wizards: Doyens of Indian Investing on Their Biggest Learnings
If there's one place that is never devoid of excitement, it's the stock market. It is common to hear investors brag about the multibaggers they identified and the millions they earned with their sharp sense of investing, but ask them about their investing missteps and chances are they'll quickly change the topic.
In Confessions of Stock Market Wizards, Safir Anand gets India's top investors and stock market legends, such as Ramesh Damani, Samir Arora, Madhusudan Kela, Vijay Kedia, Devina Mehra and E.A. Sundaram, among others, to open up about their investing mistakes and, as a result, their biggest moments of learning. Be it an error of omission, an error of commission or a decision that appeared perfectly fine during a bull market but proved costly during market slowdown, each of the confessions in this book has a unique learning and perspective to offer. Candid and illuminating, this one-of-a-kind book provides readers unmatched insights into the skills needed in stock market and investing.
In Confessions of Stock Market Wizards, Safir Anand gets India's top investors and stock market legends, such as Ramesh Damani, Samir Arora, Madhusudan Kela, Vijay Kedia, Devina Mehra and E.A. Sundaram, among others, to open up about their investing mistakes and, as a result, their biggest moments of learning. Be it an error of omission, an error of commission or a decision that appeared perfectly fine during a bull market but proved costly during market slowdown, each of the confessions in this book has a unique learning and perspective to offer. Candid and illuminating, this one-of-a-kind book provides readers unmatched insights into the skills needed in stock market and investing.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 13, 2025
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53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 16, 2025
Why do we invest in stocks? It’s not just about returns—it’s about taking part in the growth of ideas, businesses, and the economy. It’s also a personal learning curve, shaped by trial, error, and experience. Confessions of Stock Market Wizards by Safir Anand leans into that idea, spotlighting the mistakes, reflections, and lessons of some of India’s most respected investors. It’s a reminder that every seasoned investor has had missteps, and that learning from those moments is part of the journey.
The book features a wide range of voices including Ramesh Damani, Samir Arora, Madhusudan Kela, Vijay Kedia, Devina Mehra, and E.A. Sundaram, among others. These are names that carry serious weight in Indian market circles, and it’s rare to see so many of them featured in one volume. Hearing directly from these individuals—some of whom are household names in investing—adds credibility and a sense of real-world perspective. Their stories offer glimpses into the emotional and strategic challenges behind the scenes, and for beginners, these insights can be eye-opening.
That said, the format—multiple investors talking about mistakes—can gradually feel repetitive. There’s a natural overlap in themes like patience, avoiding overconfidence, and learning from failure. But even in that repetition, there’s reinforcement of key investing principles. While it may not dive deep into technical strategies or frameworks, the book serves as a useful, approachable entry point—especially for those looking to connect with the human side of stock market success in the Indian context.
The book features a wide range of voices including Ramesh Damani, Samir Arora, Madhusudan Kela, Vijay Kedia, Devina Mehra, and E.A. Sundaram, among others. These are names that carry serious weight in Indian market circles, and it’s rare to see so many of them featured in one volume. Hearing directly from these individuals—some of whom are household names in investing—adds credibility and a sense of real-world perspective. Their stories offer glimpses into the emotional and strategic challenges behind the scenes, and for beginners, these insights can be eye-opening.
That said, the format—multiple investors talking about mistakes—can gradually feel repetitive. There’s a natural overlap in themes like patience, avoiding overconfidence, and learning from failure. But even in that repetition, there’s reinforcement of key investing principles. While it may not dive deep into technical strategies or frameworks, the book serves as a useful, approachable entry point—especially for those looking to connect with the human side of stock market success in the Indian context.
February 25, 2025
This book serves as a decent introductory read for someone just stepping into the investment arena, but it falls short for anyone looking for meaningful insights. The content remains fairly basic, making it more suitable for someone taking their first steps into investing.
Since the book primarily consists of excerpts from the investment journeys of seasoned Indian investors. it had the potential to make for a compelling read, but unfortunately, the execution is mediocre. The storytelling is weak, failing to bring out the depth of experiences and lessons that could have been invaluable to readers.
For experienced investors or those seeking a deeper understanding of market dynamics or behavioral finance, this book doesn’t offer much. There’s a noticeable lack of fresh perspectives or in-depth analysis. Given the vast amount of literature available on investing—both global and India-specific—there are certainly better alternatives.
That said, if you're entirely new to investing, this book can be a decent starting point. But for anyone beyond the novice stage, it’s unlikely to add much value.
Since the book primarily consists of excerpts from the investment journeys of seasoned Indian investors. it had the potential to make for a compelling read, but unfortunately, the execution is mediocre. The storytelling is weak, failing to bring out the depth of experiences and lessons that could have been invaluable to readers.
For experienced investors or those seeking a deeper understanding of market dynamics or behavioral finance, this book doesn’t offer much. There’s a noticeable lack of fresh perspectives or in-depth analysis. Given the vast amount of literature available on investing—both global and India-specific—there are certainly better alternatives.
That said, if you're entirely new to investing, this book can be a decent starting point. But for anyone beyond the novice stage, it’s unlikely to add much value.
March 1, 2025
A bit disappointing and difficult to absorb much knowledge. The author tried to cover too many investors so probably could not go in depth. I think mistakes are context dependent, so there was a need to discuss things like investment framework, process, buying, selling, timing etc in detail while discussing mistakes and their learnings.
Without detailed context, it mostly felt like repetition of things like not making the same mistake twice, process vs outcome differentiation, error of omission vs commission etc.
Without detailed context, it mostly felt like repetition of things like not making the same mistake twice, process vs outcome differentiation, error of omission vs commission etc.
October 20, 2025
It captures the emotional, behavioral, and philosophical dimensions of investing through candid reflections from India’s most seasoned market participants but it's light on mechanics (valuation models, portfolio construction, macro, etc.) while repeating common themes (learning from mistakes, humility, importance of process, commission vs omission, etc.). Still could be useful for beginners but seasoned should check the inspiring series, Market Wizards, directly.
March 13, 2025
Great subject matter and this book could have been very valuable with the kind of access to some of these Indian investors.
But this is where good writing or the need for a good editor comes up.
There is very little to chew on for a reader because the final material is very superficial.
I found nothing useful in the book.
But this is where good writing or the need for a good editor comes up.
There is very little to chew on for a reader because the final material is very superficial.
I found nothing useful in the book.
March 26, 2025
Lost opportunity.
The author interacted with many successful investors but failed to provide real insights. Lost opportunity in my opinion. This book could have been so much more with that level of access!
The author interacted with many successful investors but failed to provide real insights. Lost opportunity in my opinion. This book could have been so much more with that level of access!
April 28, 2025
Confessions of Stock Market Wizards is a great read for investors, offering valuable insights from successful traders. However, it could have been even better with more detailed stock stories and additional investing data to further illustrate their strategies
May 1, 2025
I might as well be reading daily horoscope
July 25, 2025
A very important book from the perspective of Indian stock markets. This is like the Market Wizards series of the US. We need more such volumes to know and understand brilliant Indian investors practising this lovely profession and I’m sure Safir can do us a favor by brining out a second volume. Five Stars, totally!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews