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The Ten Roads to Riches: The Ways the Wealthy Got There
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 23, 2013
Quick and easy read with each chapter focusing on one of the 10 roads to wealth. Full of valuable nuggets of information. I have been relatively successful having gone down at least one of those roads without realizing it.
September 3, 2019
The book takes you from investing your money to developing wealth from investing other people's money. It also treads upon building a company to keep, or even to sell. There really is no subject that this book doesn't cover when it comes to financial success. I believe that the book did an above and beyond job in showing the roads to wealth. The author did an extraordinary job of illustrating the traits of what it takes to be successful in the modern age, but also a countless number of ways that you can modify your life and lifestyle to become more financially secure. I would recommend this book to an individual who has a deep desire for wealth, but who is also willing to put in the hard work and long hours. They also must be willing to fail at times, and then use that knowledge of failure to overcome the doubt and negativity in society.
October 11, 2015
I liked this book. It filled with common sense anecdotes. The stories were humorous at parts. I would say it was a solid reading material that can be read in sections, as each chapter is cleanly divided. But if you are interested in saving money or earning more, it probably won't teach you anything ground breaking. It is more of a very general premier into different ways people have been able to 'get rich.' The part that I did like though was that this book had a very motivational tone. It made you believe you can be rich too and achieve financial independence. There were a variety of methods presented from just saving a lot and consuming little to the funny, ride on someone else's coat-tails and/or marry rich.
August 22, 2009
Interesting read and I think real estate or helping someone else get rich are the best roads for me. That and saving and investing and working. ;)
October 18, 2018
A good read for very young people but not useful for middle age or mid-career people.
The author, Ken Fisher, founder of an asset management firm, described the 10 ways to build wealth, none are easy though: founding your own businesses, ride along great people as they rise, become a celebrity or star athletes, marry well into riches, become a plaintiff lawyer and start suing companies, real estate investing with lots of leverage. Only the last chapter about the old-fashioned way of saving and investing wisely is the easiest, which is a path I've chosen for myself even before this book.
The author, Ken Fisher, founder of an asset management firm, described the 10 ways to build wealth, none are easy though: founding your own businesses, ride along great people as they rise, become a celebrity or star athletes, marry well into riches, become a plaintiff lawyer and start suing companies, real estate investing with lots of leverage. Only the last chapter about the old-fashioned way of saving and investing wisely is the easiest, which is a path I've chosen for myself even before this book.
April 2, 2019
Even though this was written by a famous money manager, this book deserves the lowest. But not too low, hence the two stars. This is an okay-ish book. For someone who has read a lot of finance related non-fiction and self-help, this book will be a cringeworthy and half-assed quick read. Ten roads to riches basically tells you ten ways most people become millionaires-billionaires in America. If you're an Indian, a lot of this don't apply. Depending on where you're from, you could use one of these. This doesn't give you the "HOW", only the "WHAT"s. Not a very good book.
December 1, 2017
Easy, short read. It was interesting to see the "roads" layed out this way and the author definitely covered some more creative (yet realistic) ways that many people get wealthy. If you've read a lot of money books, you may not find this one super engaging, but otherwise it's worth the quick read.
The best part was the random stories that the author threw in. (For example, he describes how his wife bought a real estate note [loan] for a beautiful building in a prime location during the recession, foreclosed on the owners, moved the author's company in to collect the rents, and then did a cash-out loan against a now-performing asset).
Chapters 2 and 3 are probably the least discussed (yet realistically achievable and morally acceptable) avenues
* Ch. 2 - become the CEO of an existing firm (versus all the "start your own business! anyone can do it!" gurus)
* Ch. 3 -ride-along with someone else who will pave the path to riches (if you can't build it yourself)
Ch. 8 holds some interesting insights into intellectual property in the form of songwriting, merchandising, etc. (in addition to patenting inventions and copywriting books).
Then he of course covers marrying well, finance/investing Other People's Money, becoming a child celebrity/athlete and milking it for the rest of your life, etc. But these roads are hard to enter later in life.
The best part was the random stories that the author threw in. (For example, he describes how his wife bought a real estate note [loan] for a beautiful building in a prime location during the recession, foreclosed on the owners, moved the author's company in to collect the rents, and then did a cash-out loan against a now-performing asset).
Chapters 2 and 3 are probably the least discussed (yet realistically achievable and morally acceptable) avenues
* Ch. 2 - become the CEO of an existing firm (versus all the "start your own business! anyone can do it!" gurus)
* Ch. 3 -ride-along with someone else who will pave the path to riches (if you can't build it yourself)
Ch. 8 holds some interesting insights into intellectual property in the form of songwriting, merchandising, etc. (in addition to patenting inventions and copywriting books).
Then he of course covers marrying well, finance/investing Other People's Money, becoming a child celebrity/athlete and milking it for the rest of your life, etc. But these roads are hard to enter later in life.
September 13, 2022
There are some books that do more harm than good. This is one of them. By reading the book, someone with a little experience will soon realize that the author’s mind is completely rotten. This criticism seems harsh, but for this book, it is appropriate.
I just hope that not many teenagers read this piece… while forming their opinion about their future career.
If this book is the best example as how not to do it, the exact opposite on a similar topic is “Poor Charlie's Almanack”, which is a great book. I do not even want to put these books in the same category. It is miles apart.
Anyway, there is still one learning and one use for this book.
The learning is to really check at least a few pages before buying a book and not relying on reviews too much. It would occur to me immediately, that a spoiled brat, who lives off the money and reputation of his father is not the right person to write how to build wealth.
...and the use of this book, since the electricity and heating are expensive. It will generate heat for probably 2 minutes. That’s the best value, you can get out of it.
By the way, one last remark, the author mentions that James Cramer is his friend. The same James Cramer, who sings praises for the book at its back. Nothing to add.
I just hope that not many teenagers read this piece… while forming their opinion about their future career.
If this book is the best example as how not to do it, the exact opposite on a similar topic is “Poor Charlie's Almanack”, which is a great book. I do not even want to put these books in the same category. It is miles apart.
Anyway, there is still one learning and one use for this book.
The learning is to really check at least a few pages before buying a book and not relying on reviews too much. It would occur to me immediately, that a spoiled brat, who lives off the money and reputation of his father is not the right person to write how to build wealth.
...and the use of this book, since the electricity and heating are expensive. It will generate heat for probably 2 minutes. That’s the best value, you can get out of it.
By the way, one last remark, the author mentions that James Cramer is his friend. The same James Cramer, who sings praises for the book at its back. Nothing to add.
April 6, 2019
Fifth grader will tell you "you get what you put in this life."
Only 157,000 acting jobs a year not actors but jobs & some as dancing chickens.
Jay-Z is a marketing consultant to Budweiser.
Asbestos may eventually outshine tobacco as the cash cow for P & L's. 50,000 to 75,000 new lawsuits filed yearly.
600,000 by 2000 that didn't have asbestos related disease.
Most books sell less than 10,000 copies. A tiny percent sell better-take stock market books; a real monster stock market book could sell 200,000 copies. There are 2 or 3 of those a year at most.
91000 / 1 million sold for a songwriter.
Clinton's went from are least -3 million in in the hole probably more in 2001 to 35 million dollars 7 years later.
Only 157,000 acting jobs a year not actors but jobs & some as dancing chickens.
Jay-Z is a marketing consultant to Budweiser.
Asbestos may eventually outshine tobacco as the cash cow for P & L's. 50,000 to 75,000 new lawsuits filed yearly.
600,000 by 2000 that didn't have asbestos related disease.
Most books sell less than 10,000 copies. A tiny percent sell better-take stock market books; a real monster stock market book could sell 200,000 copies. There are 2 or 3 of those a year at most.
91000 / 1 million sold for a songwriter.
Clinton's went from are least -3 million in in the hole probably more in 2001 to 35 million dollars 7 years later.
June 12, 2018
- I liked the concept of this book and how Fisher chose to organize his views into ten distinct "roads" to riches.
- Look, there is no doubt Fisher himself has credibility and clout, being a billionaire himself, but as a book, I didn't learn much from it.
- There were too many American examples, and of those given, they were so general, it really wouldn't help a common person. I guess I was looking for specific actions and guidelines, besides, "go live in a town with a rich person you can marry".
- And yes, as he mentions, some roads are rather distasteful, but I guess that is how some people get rich.
- Look, there is no doubt Fisher himself has credibility and clout, being a billionaire himself, but as a book, I didn't learn much from it.
- There were too many American examples, and of those given, they were so general, it really wouldn't help a common person. I guess I was looking for specific actions and guidelines, besides, "go live in a town with a rich person you can marry".
- And yes, as he mentions, some roads are rather distasteful, but I guess that is how some people get rich.
July 20, 2017
hmm, 8.9/10 unrealistic for most of us. hey if I go back to age 13, maybe I could be a celebrity.
not my favorite book, but I did finish it, mostly to see the millionaire name dropping.
author seems to know he's kind of a jerk, but he's probably more honest/frank than most.
not my favorite book, but I did finish it, mostly to see the millionaire name dropping.
author seems to know he's kind of a jerk, but he's probably more honest/frank than most.
September 22, 2018
It's a great book, to know how to reach the top level of the pyramid
some of the ways are focused too much on the American audience.
still, it's a good book to gain some insight on the way of becoming super-rich
some of the ways are focused too much on the American audience.
still, it's a good book to gain some insight on the way of becoming super-rich
January 25, 2023
This book is great! Not only does it go into detail of the best ways to make money,But it also points the reader to more resources to learn more about their chosen wealth path. A highly recommend read.
July 5, 2024
Read millionaire Next door better use of time
The last chapter applies to majority of readers. Takes more of a generalist approach as in its a what color is my parachute good for wannabe high income candidates
The last chapter applies to majority of readers. Takes more of a generalist approach as in its a what color is my parachute good for wannabe high income candidates
January 21, 2025
The concepts presented are fairly basic and widely known, with no groundbreaking ideas or strategies that aren't already part of common financial knowledge. For those looking for fresh perspectives or deeper insights into wealth-building, this book falls short
July 13, 2018
Not great. Ideas are common sense. Worth reading as a teenager.
May 18, 2020
It was pretty OK but not one to re-read. Some of the chapters were a bit too long and beat a few dead horses.
January 24, 2025
This was published several years ago, so many of the examples cited are quite stale. Regardless, the depth of discussion was quite thin. I would not recommend this book to others.
July 22, 2025
Very practical and easy to follow
July 30, 2025
A little outdated but good advice a 3.75 in my opinion
Read
March 2, 2017It was definitely a straight-forward read. It was refreshing because you don't have to read it from front to back but can read it as a reference. I read it from front to back and have the tendency to be sensitive to a writers voice. Sometimes Mr.Fisher's tone felt harsh at times with his directions but all in all, it gives clear directions.
April 28, 2023
I have read both the first and more recent second edition of Ken Fisher's book that charts out 10 distinct paths for getting wealthy. Fisher has a pithy, direct writing style which turns some readers off, however, I appreciate his no-nonsense attitude in a field (financial planning) where there is nearly always too much fluff and very little fresh insight. This is one of those quick guidebooks that should be required reading for anyone in the early twenties with aspirations of becoming wealthy. It is telling that discussing this topic is often shunned, despite its popularity. Many of us head off in some crazy directions with dreams of making lots of money, without the type of grounding that Ken's book can provide.
June 9, 2009
You get out of life what you put into it. It was actually good to learn that the author won the election against the most popular kid at 6th grade by appealing to the 5th and 4th graders because those younger kids don't really know who is the candidate.
Julius Caesar model:
Caesar always led from the front of his troops, other Roman officers always marched behind because they wanted to make sure the officers are safe first (to protect the king in Chess, but Caesar knew that when he was in the front, his troops knew he wasn't asking them to take a risk he wouldn't take himself, so they were more confident, fought harder and won always.
Julius Caesar model:
Caesar always led from the front of his troops, other Roman officers always marched behind because they wanted to make sure the officers are safe first (to protect the king in Chess, but Caesar knew that when he was in the front, his troops knew he wasn't asking them to take a risk he wouldn't take himself, so they were more confident, fought harder and won always.
January 30, 2012
We all know how to save and become relatively financially secure by now--start a business, fund a 401(k) and invest smartly in real estate and stocks. In this book, Ken Fisher tells you how the super rich became that way. Maybe it's not rocket science: Among the 10 roads are becoming a CEO, marrying well, inventing income and becoming a media or entertainment mogul.
I like that Ken Fisher includes a reading list with each chapter instead of trying to push his own books like other finance gurus/authors often do. This was a fun, quick read.
I like that Ken Fisher includes a reading list with each chapter instead of trying to push his own books like other finance gurus/authors often do. This was a fun, quick read.
October 18, 2010
This book was fun to read because the author was funny and sarcastic about how the rich have become rich in America. He gives the pros and cons of each roads and a list of books to learn more about a road. Some roads are hilarious. Quote from the book: "Another road to riches: 'Steal it legally by becoming a plaintiff lawyer'...
April 19, 2010
No practical guidance what-so-ever. I could have taken more time to try and glean some value from this book, but that would have been like rubbing number 80 sand paper across my skin to give myself an anatomy lesson.
September 8, 2016
Fisher shows you 10 doors, you must walk through one (or more).
Honest, real advice on the pros and cons of each path. Use this book to find the path most suitable to your personality, and then use his book recommendations to go all in and follow your dream.
Fast, fantastic read.
Honest, real advice on the pros and cons of each path. Use this book to find the path most suitable to your personality, and then use his book recommendations to go all in and follow your dream.
Fast, fantastic read.
June 22, 2015
Title and subtitle are spot on for this book. I also enjoyed that the chapters had recommended books to read on how to make yourself successful in that path to riches.
I see myself using two of the paths, so maybe one day I'll be mentioned as a name in a similar book.
I see myself using two of the paths, so maybe one day I'll be mentioned as a name in a similar book.
Want to read
July 22, 2021This book started off a bit dull but then quickly picked up pace. It has given me a lot of insight into how different kids of people build wealth. Some ways are very interesting and cringe-worthy. All in all a very good read.
December 7, 2009
Not an easy or hard read, but an interesting book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews