Getting Started in Bonds, Second Edition by Sharon Saltzgiver Wright

Product Description

Everything you need to know about bonds
Bonds are a key component in every portfolio, making it essential that investors understand what exactly they are and how they function. Getting Started in Bonds, Second Edition has been fully updated and revised to take into account the ever-changing bond market as well as the current economic environment. This new edition explains the fundamentals of bonds in clear, easy-to-understand language. It includes in-depth coverage of a variety of debt products, from Treasury notes to high-yield junk bonds and everything in between. This comprehensive guide is an essential primer for anyone who would like to invest in bonds but doesn't know where to start. Getting Started in Bonds, Second Edition uses straightforward, accessible language that will help readers understand even the most complicated bond issues.
Sharon Wright (Byfield, MA) was, most recently, fixed-income sales director at Lehman Brothers. Previously, she was assistant vice president at Fidelity Capital Markets.
Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #556514 in Books
Published on: 2003-02-20
Number of items: 1
Binding: Paperback
304 pages
Editorial Reviews

Lawrence J. Lasser, President and Chief Executive Officer, Putman Investments
"For do-it-yourselfers who want to invest in bonds, Getting Started in Bonds is a fine primer and reference book. Sharon speaks directly to the reader in a personal way, making complex concepts accessible."

W. Stansbury Carnes, PhD, Managing Director, Fixed Income Research, Salomon Smith Barney, New York; author, By the Numbers: A Survival Guide to Economic Indicators
"At last, a lucid overview of the fixed income marketplace has been written for the individual investor. In a light-hearted manner - but based upon solid fundamentals - Ms. Wright has translated the jargon-filled world of bonds into actionable information. I highly recommend Getting Started in Bonds to anyone planning to become involved in fixed income investing."

Richard Lehmann, Publisher, Income Securities Advisor Newsletter
"Ms. Wright has produced an excellent, easy-to-read guide for the novice bond investor. The book is well organized and allows its readers to identify and focus in on the security types most suitable for them. Even experienced investors will find this book a refresher course in bond fundamentals."
Customer Reviews

So-so
This book contains much good information, but could have been better organized. Technical terms, for instance, are used before they are defined. While not terrible, it's certainly not great either.

Best bonds book for novices
I have 4-5 books on bond finance -- of all introductory-level bond books this is my favorite. Most books on bonds put me to sleep -- not this one.
It covers all the major topics without patronizing the reader. My one complaint is about the physical construction of the book. It's not available in HB and the cover is quite flimsy and curls easily. In fact this seems to be characteristic of the "Getting Started" series. The publisher needs to improve the durability of the binding.

License to Compound
This is an excellent book for someone with moderate knowledge of the stock market and is interested in learning about bonds. I would not recommend this for complete beginners because there are many references to economics and finance that might be difficult for a first time investor to understand. It seems best suited for intermediate investors.

Getting Started in Bonds does a great job explaining the various types of bonds available: treasury, municipal, corporate, mortgage backed securities, etc. It will make you aware of the options you have available when searching for a good deal. It also puts you in a good mode for taking all factors into account such as the possible tax advantages of a particular bond, determining how much liquidity you want with your bonds, etc.

Overall, it's a good reference to have on hand. It also helps to read more than once, as there are many things to remember. However, I am surprised at the amount of useful information crammed into this small easy-to-read book. Investors, as well as business students, will find this book Getting Started in Bonds an excellent investment.