John C. Bogle's The Little Book of Index Investing is a power-packed explanation of why outperforming the market is an investor illusion. Instead, the founder of The Vanguard Group—the man who's been called "the conscience of the investment industry"*—recommends a simple, time-tested investment strategy that can deliver the greatest return to the greatest number of investors: indexing. Why? Investing is a zero-sum game where transaction costs, taxes, poor investment diversification, and poor market-timing (an affliction for most investors) hurts your portfolio more than it helps. Indexing eliminates that hurt. Bottom-line, if you can't be an index, why not invest in one? And you'll be all the happier and richer for it.
*Time Magazine
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"If you have heard of index investing and want to learn more from one of the founding fathers...this is one of the books you should read. The math content is not overwhelming in this book and the language is manageable for someone new to the topic of investing. "
— Laura (5 out of 5 stars)
“John C. Bogle...has the mind of an economist and the personality of a preacher.
— The Washington PostBogle is rattling the status quo among the mutual fund titans.
— Fortune" As the title implies, this book is full of fundamental common sense approaches to investing. This is one of the best investing books I have run across. "
— Steven, 2/19/2014" Amazing book. Simplifies investing to the core for individual investors. Backed with facts/examples and enormous experience of Jack Bogle's decades in this industry. "
— Nezamuddin, 2/15/2014" Bogle is god. The way he goes about debunking the financial services industry and it's ways is very scientific and based on data. Brilliant book "
— Venkatesh, 2/14/2014" OK, I get it: Buy Index Funds. This book was a bit repetative, but convincing. A good book for all who may retire some day and want to save for when that day comes. "
— Lisa, 2/13/2014" Listened to an audiobook. Bottomline is that one should avoid investing in mutual funds if one's aim is good long term returns. Also, the returns between two funds basically differ by their fee difference over a long term. "
— Viraj, 2/4/2014" Bogle's choice for indexed funds is supported by sound and logical principles; only flaw of the book is the excessive repetition of one simple message (though it drove home the point for me). "
— Sophia, 2/3/2014" I really like John Bogle... Another "set it and forget it" type. His advice about the tyranny of inflation and taxes has often popped into my head. A must read for financial literacy. "
— Cheri, 1/30/2014" I agree with most of what Bogle says in this book, but he made a book out of what should have been and essay. Essentially, his advice is to "buy index funds" which he then explains and justifies throughout the rest of the book. "
— Michael, 1/18/2014" Classic Bogle. This seems to be a pint sized version of Bogleheads. "
— Kam, 12/23/2013" Before you invest your money read this book! This rivals Benjamin Graham's classic the intelligent investor. "
— Jim, 12/10/2013" I didn't really read the whole thing, kind of skimmed it because it seemed to just be repeating itself. My one sentence summary: the money you'll spend trying to beat the average will make your gains lower than average, so just do index investing. "
— Phil, 11/14/2013" To the point and basic but good "
— Eduardo, 10/1/2013" Excellent book on index funds and why they are a preferrable investment vehicle. "
— Scott, 9/16/2013" Interesting little book but mostly a summary of his philosophy. "
— Peter, 9/9/2013" Great investment advice (invest in low expense index funds and hold) but too long-winded and repetitive. "
— Sebastien, 5/17/2013" The best way to build wealth is long term with a min of fees by purchasing Index Funds. "
— Cjeight, 3/28/2013" I didn't read the whole thing; had to return it to the library. However, the part I read was excellent and I will read more some time in the future. "
— Kiri, 2/25/2013" basic book on investing. excellently thorough and convincing. "
— David, 6/14/2012" Comes across - understandably since it's written by Bogle - as an ode to Vanguard but it does make you think about the whole furore over mutual funds/unit trusts. "
— Jill, 12/21/2011" The little book of why I think everyone should only invest in index funds. "
— David, 11/25/2011" Bogle speaks out of both sides of his mouth. "
— Jon, 6/16/2011" For novice investors like me the smart choice is an index fund "
— Drew, 6/15/2011" Short and to the point. High-level math-based explanation re. why and why not and what next. We'll see how my 19 year old likes it. "
— Sue, 2/19/2011" This is an interesting book, and I would recommend it, however it is fairly repetitive. He kind of beats the horse once it's already dead. "
— Ryan, 1/29/2011" Book is more about convincing you about long term index investing. If you are expecting information on fundamental analysis, this one is not for you! "
— Ganesh, 12/21/2010" Quick, easy read on why you should consider index fund investing... "
— Scott, 12/4/2010" It definitely gave me a new perspective on investment, one that I will likely apply. It was a little over my head at times. "
— Rhett, 7/13/2010" COncise info with pithy advice: "The stars produced in the mutual fund field are rarely stars; all too often they are comets." "
— Angela, 7/6/2010" Not nearly as helpful as I had hoped. Very repetitive. A good message to repeat mind you... but still not very pleasant to read. "
— William, 4/26/2010" Being a math "nerd", I enjoyed all the numbers and statistical stuff this book had to offer. "
— Ashley, 3/5/2010" Brilliant man-boring book. Said the same thing over and over. Index fund anyone? "
— Melanie, 1/8/2010" John's a bright guy. He might be right. Aiming for average might be better long term than aiming for great. His version of the "relentless rules of humble arithmetic are convincing, but not unbiased. Quick, interesting read. "
— Benzel, 1/8/2010" Get an index fund and don't worry / pay management fees etc. Not many people beat the market although the people who try will tell you they do it everyday. "
— Mike, 12/21/2009" Classic Bogle. This seems to be a pint sized version of Bogleheads. "
— Kam, 9/7/2009" Great investment advice (invest in low expense index funds and hold) but too long-winded and repetitive. "
— Sebastien, 8/19/2009" A voice in the wilderness. We'd all be better off if we listened. "
— Tony, 7/10/2009" Short and to the point. High-level math-based explanation re. why and why not and what next. We'll see how my 19 year old likes it. "
— Sue, 6/16/2009John C. Bogle is founder of the Vanguard Mutual Fund Group and president of its Bogle Financial Markets Research Center. He created Vanguard in 1974 and served as chairman and chief executive officer until 1996. In 1999, Fortune magazine named Mr. Bogle as one of the four “investment giants” of the twentieth century; in 2004, Time named him one of the world’s 100 most powerful and influential people. Bogle is also the author of Enough and The Little Book of Common Sense Investing.