Keynes: The Return of the Master

This book was a gift from a buddy long time ago. In fact, I wanted to buy this book since day one. For an author who is so familiar with John Maynard Keynes, I found no reason not to follow all his books. As according to my buddy, this could be one of the best. Well, compares to the three biographies written by the said author… I have to agree with my buddy… This book is simply awesome!

First of all, I found this book not boring and not too “academic” as compares to similar books. The author did well by focus on the previous world financial crisis before presenting the rationalization behind Keynesian economics. At the end, it is a book that utilized history and theories of capitalism to explain current economic problems. Of course, not every reader agrees with Keynes’ theories. However, I thought the author did extremely well by provide clear and easily understandable descriptions in presenting the state of economies.

Having said that… I found no reason not to give a full 10/10. This is really an excellent read and I highly recommend this book for any readers who are keen to have a refresher on economic theories. Thumbs up!!! 

12 Simple Technical Indicators That Really Work

After two leisure stuff on sports, it is time to get serious again. So, here we are with a book that was supposed to enhance my knowledge and to improve myself as a better trader. Unfortunately… it is another leisure stuff… The previous two leisure books... at least I truly enjoy it as I love football and I always treat football as part of my life. This book however attracts me only on the cover. The moment I began to flip through each chapter, I found myself feeling disgusted by the so called intelligence as presented by the author. Ended up, I wasted tons of time to complete the whole book. Well, as usual, old habits die hard… I forced myself to finish up the whole nonsenses even though I curse along the way, LOL….

Overall, this is not a book. It looks like a book, but it is not. In my humble opinion, this is more like a booklet. A booklet that proposed certain indicators that may help only when you have TC2000. (By the way, what is TC 2000?  Who cares? LOL) Rating wise, I am giving 0/10. Another of those books from those authors that seems unselfishly willing to share one of their money making technique… Hmm… 

Barca: A People's Passion

According to Sir Alex in his latest biography, Barca to him is simply "Small is Beautiful"...As such, besides enjoying plenty of excellent tiki-taka styles of football, books about Barca surely attracts me. On top of that, this is not only a sports book. It is also a historical book. Wow, what a combination!

The author did very well in providing nice historical details and great anecdotes, ranging from Spanish Civil war, all the way to present day. In fact, this is not only a book about great players and first class personalities of the club. The author also places them into a historical context. So, for those who loves football and loves histories like me, this is a surely our cup of tea.

However, thanks to the historical part as presented, I thought readers as well as the author may lose concentration throughout the book. There are certain repetitions and the author seems unfocused at times. As such, at a full rating of 10, I am giving 7 due to the little flaws as mentioned. Obviously, Sir Alex’s biography is more interesting. However, this is a perfect combination between histories of Catalan peoples written through their love of their football team. Thumbs up!

Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography

First of all, I must admit... I am never a Man Utd fan (In Arsene, we trust!!!)... However, I am a big fan of Sir Alex Ferguson. I started to really fall in love and get addicted to football after watching Dennis Bergkamp scored an amazing goal against Carlos Roa in the World Cup. It was then followed by series of breathtaking performances in the Gunners and the magic hat of Arsene Wenger did the rest for the eventual twice double seasons. However, being a gooner, I have to admit that we envy our fiercest rival all the time. We know we are facing one of the best football managers in the universe...

This book certainly creates tons of headlines in the press (Roy Keane is the culprit? LOL). Before I started my journey on this book, I had read tons of comments and reactions from those allegedly disrespected throughout this book. This is why it attracted me so much in the first place. Well, the media did their job excellently this time around. Furthermore, Sir Alex chooses the right time to release this book. The facts that we are losing one of the greatest managers in the world of football drove up readers’ desire to read this book. Besides, apart from the fantastic insight into Man Utd, this biography covers more into rivals and Sir Alex’s personal life. I very much enjoy the facts given on the reasons behind each purchases and sales of players by Sir Alex. Well, this is how a manager runs a football club successfully…

At the end of the book, I picked out three quotes that really inspire me as below:

Sometimes, defeats are the best outcomes. To react to adversity is a quality. Even in your lowest periods you are showing strength… my mind went straight to the business of improvement and recovery. It was an asset for me to be able to make quick calculations when it would have been easier just to be disheartened.

I would have hated the silence between Arsene and me to go on so long that it becomes poisonous. At my end of it, I had a formula for defeat. After saying my bit in the dressing room, always, before going through that door to face the press, to face the television, to speak to the other manager, I said to myself, ‘Forget it. The game’s gone. ‘I always did that.

There was no resting on the status quo, even in the best times. The longer I stayed, the further I look ahead. Regeneration was an everyday duty.

Overall, I rated highly on this book. For me, this biography is much better than “Football- Bloody Hell!” I would view it as a complete journey for Sir Alex. In fact, it is a nice work to put a full stop to his amazing career and leaving this book as well as his career on the high side. At a full rating of 10, I am giving it at 10/10. A must read for football fans…