Essentials of Investments, 9th Edition

So, I've taken 2 classes using this textbook and run into the same problem with both classes and the textbook. (Note: the two teachers had very different approaches to using the text and so I waited to write the review to see if it changed my opinion). Regardless of how heavily the teacher relied on the text for the foundation of their lectures or how much work we did that mirrored the problems for the homework, ultimately when the homework problems came the examples in the text of each chapter weren't close to complicated enough for the problems in the homework at the end of the chapter. It was difficult because these teachers didn't utilize the online resource available. So, if there is a class you're about to take that uses this book, do everything you can to get the teacher to use online (the interactive site where they have problems you can work through) from the publisher....it will be the difference in success and frustration. Otherwise, get online and find somewhere to rent/purchase the solutions manual for the most recent edition---the problems aren't that different and it provides a base to work from when your teacher may not be accessible.

The books says "this can be done on excel" WELL SHOW ME HOW TO DO IT. Sometimes I search for hours on the internet how to do the stuff that they say that can be done on excel, and don't find it or too confusing. There were like three times that they showed how to do something on excel or gave the formula. I wish my prof had picked another book. To be honest, I do not know many other finance books but this one is not good.

This is an excellent book. It goes through most of the important fundamentals needed for investing in considerable detail. Moreover, it provides helpful examples throughout the text and discussion of important historical financial events (including the recent financial crisis).That being said, don't try to read multiple chapters in one sitting. You will not learn as much and you will be miserable as it is very dense. My suggestion is to try to read a single chapter in two to three sittings (depending on the length). That will definitely help you understand the material more effectively. I made the mistake of trying to read 8 chapters over 2 days and that was terrible.The book could be more readable, but other than that, it does the job well.

This book was not very helpful. For many of the formulas no real financial problems were provided to show how the formulas are to be used, and no explanation was provided on what the symbols in the formulas represent. There is no glossary at the end of the book explaining what key terms mean nor is there much explanation or written material at the end of chapter summary. There should also be problem solving solutions for at least even numbered problems. Also, there should be least brief explanations on how to use the financial calculator and what keys to plug in. In my opinion this book needs to be greatly improved.

This was a great text book! It's one of the few I kept after the class was over as a reference book as opposed to selling it. It covered the gamut of investing but broke things down in a digestible way that was extremely helpful in a super high speed class like the one I was in. Bonus: there's a workbook with test question that you can use to help prepare for quizzes. Some professors base the quizzes on the actual workbook.

As expected.

good

Good rental price, however this text book is the worst financial book. Very poor layout and not written very well. Lacks clear instruction.

To anyone who wants to buy this book for college, its not worth it cuz no CONNECT CODE.