The Richest Man in Babylon
by George S. Clason
The Richest Man in Babylo...
George S. Clason |
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 954)
Read in January, 2007
recommended to Claudia by:
Robin ChinchillaThis review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in July, 2007
This was a fabulous gift from my friend Dan! I am currently studying a lot about finances, how to make, manage, and keep money (and psychologically, coming from a background where finances were fearful territory, getting comfortable with the ideas and knowledge of how anybody that wants to can learn how to acquire financial wealth and use it for GOOD -- sponsoring orphans, saving the planet, charities, etc). Why is it that there are such vast imbalances of financial resources in this, one of the...more
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I read The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason b/c Husband and I are getting a free financial planning session through his work. The guy offering it to us left some books to read and this was one of them. I snatched it up quick before the other 3 people who showed up to the meeting could get it.
I was pleased to know that we are already doing everything that he recommends to do in the book, with the exception of the percentage we save. We don't have a fixed percentage, instead c...more
I was pleased to know that we are already doing everything that he recommends to do in the book, with the exception of the percentage we save. We don't have a fixed percentage, instead c...more
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Read in February, 2008
This was really good. I didn't realize how long ago it was written or that it was more a collaboration of parables. It was interesting to see how true the lessons of wealth are thousands of years later! The lessons in it were really similar to The Wealthy Barber-another one I would highly recommend. Where this one is general guidelines for wealth building, The Wealthy Barber is a step-by-step guide on what you need to take care of and how to do it. Overall this was a fun read though-definit...more
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
Anyone
THE RICHEST MAN IN BAYLON provides a few very basic concepts, but ones that are at the root of financial success: pay yourself first, live frugally, invest wisely, don't chase returns, and don't give out your hard-earned dollars to someone who doesn't have the skills and discipline to safeguard them as you would. Whether this is the right book for you depends on whether you enjoy reading these concepts presented in an awkward, ancient style as if you're sitting around with Yul Brynner, Charleton...more
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Read in October, 2007
Not my favorite.
It has some extraordinarily good points, and I do know of one man who has gotten very wealthy by following the rules in this book. I might actually start following at least the first rule, which is "put away 10% of your salary" or in terms that contemporary (see, Bruce, I said contemporary, not modern) financial experts use "pay yourself first."
However, it is the most REPETITIVE BORING PRETENTIOUS book ever written.
Rargh.
Interestingly though, t...more
It has some extraordinarily good points, and I do know of one man who has gotten very wealthy by following the rules in this book. I might actually start following at least the first rule, which is "put away 10% of your salary" or in terms that contemporary (see, Bruce, I said contemporary, not modern) financial experts use "pay yourself first."
However, it is the most REPETITIVE BORING PRETENTIOUS book ever written.
Rargh.
Interestingly though, t...more
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My views and criteria for money, money spending, investing and saving have changed and are honed for the better having read this book. In my family, money topics are a favorite around the table and I've read a few lighter reads on the subject and find this to be one of the best. I am so glad that I took time (though really it's a quick read). I've heard it referenced often and am now a follower. This book is a series of tales that teach money advice, really they are the gems within the book. ...more
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Read in March, 2008
Clason’s (22-42) "Seven Cures for a Lean Purse" chapter gives you a good overview of the book. The seven principles mentioned are the following:
1. Start thy purse to fattening
2. Control thy expenditures
3. Make thy gold multiply
4. Guard thy treasures from loss
5. Make of thy dwelling a profitable investment
6. Insure a future income
7. Increase thy ability to earn
Average American spends $ 1.22 for every dollar they make (Parker). For all the indebted people Clason (108) writes...more
1. Start thy purse to fattening
2. Control thy expenditures
3. Make thy gold multiply
4. Guard thy treasures from loss
5. Make of thy dwelling a profitable investment
6. Insure a future income
7. Increase thy ability to earn
Average American spends $ 1.22 for every dollar they make (Parker). For all the indebted people Clason (108) writes...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommended to Annie by:
Mom and Dadrecommends it for: everyone
So, I probably would never had read this book if not for my parents. They gave it to us for Christmas saying it would be with our while to read it! So, 6 mo later I finally finished it. It has some good financial principals, such as saving 1/10 of all you earn, and putting your money to "work" for you. It was very repetitive, which made it hard to get through. I learned that we can and should try to live on less, no matter what financial situation you are in. I also learned that ...more
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
Everyone
A set of overlapping fables that are filled with common sense advice on how to save some money and grow that savings into a comfortable fortune. Nothing new or earth shattering in the book but the way the information is presented makes for an easy and enjoyable read. The advice really is common sense, but then again common sense is in short supply for most of us. Nice to see it written down in a clear way with entertaining examples. A good book that I should reread in a few years to see if I...more
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Read in January, 2006
My grandfather worked in the financial world and kept telling me to read this book. I started to a few times but never finished it. Finally, I was determined to finish it and read the whole thing in 2 days. It is very helpful in terms of learning the right way to save money & how to be financially successful. I think everyone should read this book and re read it every once in a while. It is a little repetitive and is not very entertaining, but it is a great lesson & I will defiantly...more
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Read in July, 2008
A classic personal finance book. It's very basic, and written in a manner that can be annoying at times -- but I think that anyone reading this book would probably be better prepared to handle their personal finances than 80% of the population.
It's interesting how well the advice has held up over the years. Some of the guidelines are probably not appropriate for everyone, and should be treated as starting points, but the basic attitudes in this book would serve most people excellently.
It's interesting how well the advice has held up over the years. Some of the guidelines are probably not appropriate for everyone, and should be treated as starting points, but the basic attitudes in this book would serve most people excellently.
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Read in February, 2007
i already gave this book to a friend to read...the idea being, sound advice on financial management can be traced back to thousands of years ago. principals don't change, and we can thrive on advice from babylonian times even today. sure, free investment classes at local banks wouldn't hurt, but if you're someone who doesn't want to devote your time to preserving a nest egg or keeping up with the market on a consistant basis, just stick by these principals and you'll be okay.
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Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
people who haven't thought much about how to manage their finances
Great little book of financial wisdom. Doesn't contain anything specific for today (no mention of mutual funds, IRAs, income tax, etc.), but rather covers and re-covers general principles of solid financial planning and management. Save money, make sure you have more income than expenses, get out of debt, make your savings work for you. Nothing revolutionary, but the "parables" that teach these lessons are interesting and helpful, if not particularly well-written.
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recommends it for:
Sure would
If you are in debt this book is the solution. It was written I believe in the 1920s yet it still holds true almost 100 years later. It lays personal finance on the line and tells exactly how to get out of debt as well as build a financially secure future for yourself. I recommend this to anyone with or without debt. The dialect used from ancient Babylon can be tricky at times but you will be able to understand the lesson being taught.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
people interested in how to grow and keep their money
[Proper review coming]
In this book lie some of the most simple lessons about personal finance you are probably ever going to come across (eg pay yourself first).
But the keys to building a personal fortune are indeed that simple. The only thing that usually gets in the way are people's emotions; impatience, greed etc.
A super short read, worth getting just for the one 14 page story called "Richest Man in Babylon".
In this book lie some of the most simple lessons about personal finance you are probably ever going to come across (eg pay yourself first).
But the keys to building a personal fortune are indeed that simple. The only thing that usually gets in the way are people's emotions; impatience, greed etc.
A super short read, worth getting just for the one 14 page story called "Richest Man in Babylon".
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
no one. skip it.
What a letdown. I had been staring at this book for over a year, meaning to read it. It may have been a very motivating and inspiring book back in the 1920s when it was written, but I strongly disagree with its still being considered 'top shelf' in this day in age. If you want a financial and personal betterment classic that delivers, try "The Greatest Salesman In the World". It is both shorter and better.
B/B = BORROW
B/B = BORROW
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Read in April, 2007
I loved this book! It is the story of an average Joe in old Babylon who through acquired knowledge and determination becomes a success story. The principles of prosperity were the same thousands of years ago as they are today. Definitely read this book to learn how money works but also to get involved with the great story of the richest man in babylon. Keeps you entreated the whole time, couldn’t put it down.
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Read in March, 2008
This book for me was hard to follow. Did have good advise to live within your means (have your living expenses be no more than %70 of your earnings) and to pay yourself 10% of what you make (put some aside) and when your savings has grown to invest in things that have no risk in losing the principle amount of what you invested. Pretty much things I already know. Just never could get in to this story.
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The idea/principle of saving what you earn to make it yours and make your money work for you by seeking wisdom from those who possess sagacity in money matters is sound. However, the advice is a bit simplistic. Overall, the book contains good basic advice for financial growth and freedom and one would do well to heed it and then add one's own common sense for personal finance.
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