Many of our recommended books (and others) are available as e-books and audio books in our Self-Improvement folder in Proton Drive.
Here is an index of some of my book notes. Perhaps they'll be of some use to you.
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Client Books¶
These are my favorite books for clients and advisors. I feature one in each edition of my monthly client newsletter and cycle through them.
The list is sorted alphabeticaly by title.
Capital¶
Capital: The Story of Long-Term Investment Excellence by Charles Ellis
The best book on the history of Capital Group. Find out what makes American Funds so special.
► Book Info and Where To Get It ► For more on American Funds visit AFW S.4
Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth¶
Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth by Nick Murray
This is the best book I've ever read for understanding the fundamentals of our investment philosophy. Required reading for all clients and Advisors.
The Maxims of Wall Street¶
The Maxims of Wall Street by Mark Skousen
For nearly 30 years, financial economist and investment writer Mark Skousen has been collecting all the old wise adages, proverbs, and legends on Wall Street, based on in-depth interviews with old timers, reading rare financial books, and his own experiences in the financial markets. Maxims of Wall Street is the closest thing to Wall Street scripture ever created.
This is an excellent client gift. If you buy the book in bulk, it is as low as $12. You can't even give a client a $12 gift card as it would be so low in value it could be deemed offensive - but you can give them a $12 book.
“Love you great little book. I plan to shamelessly steal some the lines.” ―Warren Buffett
“If you are looking for a book to give clients, and had of course long since given them Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth, Maxims would be a corker in that regard. There’s really never been anything like it.” ―Nick Murray
“Beautifully bound collector’s item. It should be on every investor’s bookshelf and read regularly.” ―Bert Dohmen, The Wellington Letter
Stop Acting Rich¶
Stop Acting Rich by Thomas Stanley
How the less affluent have fallen into the elite luxury brand trap that keeps them from acquiring wealth and details how to get out of it by emulating the working rich as opposed to the super elite.
► Book Info and Where To Get It ► Get the PDF and audio book here
The Millionaire Next Door¶
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley
The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy. One of the best books I've ever read on personal financial success.
Wisdom of Great Investors¶
A compilation of quotes and essays of history's finest investors. Our entire investment philosophy is expressed in these few pages.
Advisor Books¶
These are my favorite books for advisor. I feature one in each edition of my weekly advisor newsletter and cycle through them.
The list is sorted alphabeticaly by title.
177 Mental Toughness Secrets¶
177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class by Steve Siebold
Is it possible for a person of average intelligence and modest means to ascend to the throne of the world class? The answer is YES!
Around The Year with Nick Murray¶
Around The Year with Nick Murray by Nick Murray
Ten-minute daily readings which can, over the course of one year, turn you into the supremely confident and successful advisor you aspire to be.
Behavioral Investment Counseling¶
Behavioral Investment Counseling by Nick Murray
This book is a complete investment advisory paradigm, based on two essential perceptions.
1) The dominant determinant of long-term, real-life return is not investment performance but investor behavior.
2) Behavior modification is an advisor's value proposition, because great behavioral advice is worth so much more than the advisor can ever charge for it.
Beyond Referrals¶
Beyond Referrals by Bill Cates
What's better than getting new referrals? Getting new customers.
Cashflow Quadrant¶
Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki
One of the most influential books of my career. Remember, your goal is to get into the 4th quadrant (not just the 3rd).
Don't Keep Me a Secret¶
Don't Keep Me a Secret by Bill Cates
Proven Tactics to Get Referrals and Introductions. Word-of-mouth, person-to-person connections matter more to your success than all the hard-sell strategies in the world.
Gathering Assets¶
Gathering Assets by Nick Murray
Compilation of some of his timeless articles.
Get More Referrals Now!¶
Get More Referrals Now! by Bill Cates
Sales legend Bill Cates uses his experience and expert knowledge to show sales professionals how to work smarter (not harder) by employing The Four Cornerstones of Referrals.
Grit¶
In this must-read book for anyone striving to succeed, pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth shows parents, educators, students, and business people both seasoned and new that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a focused persistence called grit.
► Book on Goodreads ► Get the ebook here ► Get the audio book here ► For more on Grit visit AFW M.1.18
How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing with People¶
How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing with People by Les Giblin
Taking a brass tacks approach to communication, this book explains how to interact with others as they really are, not as you would like them to be. The goal is to get what you want from them successfully
How to Master the Art of Selling Financial Services¶
How to Master the Art of Selling Financial Services by Tom Hopkins
This is based upon the original book that made Tom Hopkins famous, but with a focus on financial services. I believe this is the best overall book on professional sales.
How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age¶
How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age by Dale Carnegie
An adaptation of Dale Carnegie’s timeless classic for the digital age. This is perhaps the most important book in your career. People skills supersede all other skills.
Investing with Variable Annuities¶
Investing with Variable Annuities by John P. Huggard
Fifty Reasons Why Variables Annuities May Be Better Long-Term Investments Than Mutual Funds
Scripts¶
Nick Murray's Scripts by Nick Murray
What to say and how to say it.
Many advisors say, 'I don't want theory or psychology or motivation, I just want the meat-and-potatoes. I want to know what to say. Well, this is it. But you have to put in the work to master these scripts and learn them word-for-word.
Note: we post one 'Script' on the days that ATY's aren't posted.
► Book on Goodreads ► Get the PDF book here ► Get the book here
Sales Prospecting for Dummies¶
Sales Prospecting for Dummies by Tom Hopkins
Prospecting ― finding and qualifying prospective clients ― is the first step in the selling proposition.
Serious Money¶
Serious Money - The Art of Marketing Mutual Funds by Nick Murray
Nick's first book which introduced his unique approach to providing investment advice.
Skill With People¶
Skill With People by Les Giblin
Les Giblin's timeless classic has what you need to get on the fast track to success at home, at work, and in business. Communicate with impact. Influence with certainty. Listen with sensitivity.
Storyselling¶
Storyselling for Financial Advisors by Scott West
Put the power of story telling into selling financial products.
Talking It Over¶
Talking It Over Just the Two of Us by Nick Murray
A Guide for the Financial Advisor's Life Partner. Written together with his wife Joan.
The Art of Dealing with People¶
The Art of Dealing with People by Les Giblin
What is the one quality that all successful people have in common? They have mastered the art of dealing with people.
The Craft of Advice¶
The Craft of Advice by Nick Murray
This book contains 34 essays written for Dow Jones Investment Adviser magazine between December 1994 and December 1998. It also includes 10 book reviews published in Dow Jones Asset Management magazine in 1997 and 1998.
Excellent Investment Advisor¶
The Excellent Investment Advisor by Nick Murray
This is still my favorite all time business book. I credit it with turning my career around.
Game of Numbers¶
The Game of Numbers by Nick Murray
There are dozens of books about prospecting. They’re all the same book, and they never work. This is the how-to-not-stop-prospecting book it’s taken Nick forty years to write. Since it was first published in 2010, The Game of Numbers has been the best-selling book on prospecting in the financial services industry.
Millionaire Mind¶
The Millionaire Mind by Thomas Stanley
By interviewing over 1,000 millionaires this book provides insight into the thoughts and lives of the wealthy.
New Financial Advisor¶
The New Financial Advisor by Nick Murray
This is an essential read for anyone who is thinking of becoming a financial advisor. Nick really helps you understand how to build your business properly.
Nick Murray Reader¶
The Nick Murray Reader by Nick Murray
This is a compilation of a Nick Murray Articles. This book is intended as a companion and supplement to his book The New Financial Advisor.
Think and Grow Rich¶
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Think and Grow Rich was written in 1937 and is one of the top ten books of all time on personal development and self-improvement.
This Time Isn’t Different¶
This Time Isn’t Different by Nick Murray
Gives advisors a system for preventing clients from panicking in down markets, right from the first day of the relationship.
Unlimited Referrals¶
Unlimited Referrals by Bill Cates
Your goal is to build a referrals-based business. Bill Cates specializes in referrals for financial services professionals.