tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8261438457608174618.post4132438003230815613..comments2023-05-12T16:41:08.754+08:00Comments on Forecast Error: Some Bedtime Reading Part ICCLuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08569770663341206042noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8261438457608174618.post-76868695648747177182011-09-20T13:30:10.574+08:002011-09-20T13:30:10.574+08:00I read all these books on Kindle app off my iPad. ...I read all these books on Kindle app off my iPad. In fact, I found footnotes and endnotes annoying with Kindle because we have to jump out of where we are reading and get back in there. This further disturbs the flow of reading.<br /><br />Most of the new books could use better editing nowadays. I suspect it is the result of cost down in the book industry.<br /><br />With the higher Kindle price than corresponding hard cover release in some new books (Michael Lewis's new book included), it seems the tide has turned and the experience of Kindle readers will prevail.<br /><br />BTW, Lewis is good at telling stories, but he is by no means a big picture guy. For a better view of the whole event, Sorkin's book is a better read.<br /><br />For getting a good picture of what "REALLY" happened, I'd read "The Financial Crisis Inquiry Report". There is a free pdf file online, don't pay for it at Amazon.CCLuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08569770663341206042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8261438457608174618.post-28478137168621675792011-09-19T22:10:08.788+08:002011-09-19T22:10:08.788+08:00Spoiler alert.
I read "The Big Short". ...Spoiler alert.<br /><br />I read "The Big Short". First of all I purchased the hard cover version, for some reasons it does not have index or glossary. So stylistically it can be better. There are (I think) 4 groups of investors who held CDS, and the narration on these investors occur concurrently. So unless the reader keeps taking notes, it is hard to track these separate story lines without index. In addition, I personal do not like how Mr. Lewis explains some terms/financial products in the middle of the story (like this, see how annoying it is!!!), because it kind of disrupts the flow of the story telling. I prefer footnotes (actually he might have, I cannot remember) or glossary at the back.<br /><br />Secondly, I think Mr. Lewis has a knack of ridiculing people who he does not like. Like the scouts in "Moneyball" were painted with ignorance and incomptence, the investment bankers/rating agencies/fund managers who were blindsided by subprime are taunted excessively. Look, I know these guys are to be blamed to a large extent, but I feel bad for them regardless. I guess because Mr. Lewis chose to write in a personal manner, thus there have to be people who are "bad guys".<br /><br />Overall, I really like this book. And personally I have my uttermost respect for Dr. Mike Burry. His clients were quite tough on him the entire time when he held CDS. After the CDS generated massive returns, no-one step up to appologize. That must felt like a massive betrayal for Dr. Burry. For him to have the mental fortitude to trust his judgement, while dealing with his son's/his medical conditions, shows that he is a truely formidable investor. Probably just like Derek Jeter.楊大寶https://www.blogger.com/profile/04692847628587763718noreply@blogger.com