The Brainwashing of the American Investor - More Book Reviews Volume 6

 MORE ratings at Amazon.com!

 Magical Blend Magazine, Jenn House (Nov 2002 Issue)

"Using his 22 years of experience in the Investment Management Business, Steve Selengut imparts to the reader his powerful knowledge of the investment world. His energetic pieces on Wall Street, trading, "the Market", time and risk management, stability vs. volatility, and "tools and rules" engaged my interest and intellect. Overall, he pinpoints the truth of "American investment" with his electrifying views. This book would be great for anyone craving a revolutionary change in the business world, and with ideas like these, it could be sooner than we think."

A review by: Norm Goldman, "The Best Reviews" (06/17/02) Rating: Very Good!

"There is no doubt that the present investment climate is far from great. With the Enron scandal and accounting irregularities, the average investor is running for cover. Is this the time to dump the stock market and place our money under our mattresses? Probably not and it is refreshing to read Steve Selengut’s investment primer entitled “The Brainwashing Of The American Investor,” where he provides us with a book that will show us how to manage our money in a more realistic and safe manner."

The initial chapters of the book expose how political, social and economic elements of Wall Street influence our investment decisions. By understanding this environment, we will be better equipped in making rewarding investments in an objective and focused manner. We are apprised of the brain washing of Wall Street financial firms and how they expend billions of dollars annually to entice the lowly investor to move his money from one product to another that in the end only enhance the coffers of the institution. The remainder of the book concerns itself with how to develop and manage a working equity portfolio.

Selengut is a seasoned money manager with over twenty-five years of experience and a shrewd understanding of investment realities. Much of his strategy is based on the following principles: the quality of the asset, diversification of your holdings, income derived from the asset, profit taking, discipline and careful planning. Apart from these elements, the author affirms that he is a trader as differentiated from someone who buys and holds. He is not a day trader, nor a speculator. As he states, “there is no such thing as a bad profit.” The key is not to be greedy. Once you sell there will always be other opportunities to reinvest and start all over again. Unfortunately, as the author points out, very often people are dissuaded from selling due to their falling in love with the stock, tax implications, brokerage fees and believing that the stock has not reached its full profit potential. The book’s abundance of good advice and information should prove to be extremely helpful in learning how to react to present day financial insecurities.

Reviewed by: Jason Starzec, Co-founder YourInvestmentClub.com

"In a refreshingly straight-forward approach to old-school investing, Mr. Selengut successfully outlines the current state of Wall Street investing and lays to rest many of the fears that are often a result of speculative investing. Selengut describes in detail the precise characteristics of what makes a sound investment in very reasonable and simple terms: a guide to investing, clearly illustrating to the reader how to go about investing comfortably in an uncomfortable investment world."

"This "action" book is designed to help you understand the investments you have made, are currently making, or are considering making. An investor must determine the purpose of the portfolio so that he may accurately gauge the successes of it. There is something for every type of investor in "Brainwashing".

The purpose of this book is to make you re-think the way you look at the performance of your portfolio. You will be replacing the transaction generating “Wall Street” method with one that is about 1,000% more personalized.

Reviewed by: F B, Oakhurst, Texas

I have been reading your books and have been totally enthralled and entertained by your revelations. You are absolutely answering many, many questions I have had about Wall Street and the money game. Your methods and philosophies mesh so closely with mine that it is amazing. I am speaking of all areas of life. What you teach and practice will work in any area of your life; the foundational principles. I have fretted and worried and sought for an answer to what I would do in my retirement with what money I had, and to find one who operates as you do, was quite frankly, an answer to prayer. I know you are not perfect, but you apply a word to what you do that is very near to the top of my list as vital to success, and that is consistency. I was a professional pitcher for 17 years, five in the Major Leagues, and found that my biggest weapon was consistency of command. If I couldn't command whatever "stuff" I had, then it was no good. Which leads me to your spreadsheet, and worksheet items. It's very easy to see that if you don't have your information organized and ready, then you can't take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves. We also have another trait in common, and that is frankness. I like that. By the way, I lived in New Jersey when I played for the Yankees. (12/01/01)

Reviewed by: Kim's Reviews

"Brainwashing" by Steven R. Selengut is so full of information that it's a good thing it's also in E-book format. You can pull it up on your computer at the same time as implementing it on your database. Steven makes even me feel like: "I can do this." This is a book that starts with laying your foundation in investing and ending with managing your investments and money. Give it a try. I dare you to take a chance and see what You can do with Your money.

Thanks for the copy of your new book, I picked it up the other day and I couldn't put it down! It really is an insightful and entertaining book, it makes you think about what you're doing...a great book for all levels of investors. I can testify that, even through all the dot com hype, every time I spoke to you, you never swayed from your beliefs (discipline) and you were right. Ray V, Long Valley, NJ (02/02)