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Enough: True Measures of Money, Business, and Life | 
| Author: John C. Bogle
Publisher: Wiley
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $16.47
You Save: $8.48 (34%)
Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 303
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5 x 1.2
ISBN: 0470398515
Dewey Decimal Number: 650.1
EAN: 9780470398517
Publication Date: November 10, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Amazon.com Review
Amazon.com Exclusive: William J. Bernstein on Enough
William Bernstein, Ph.D., M.D. is the critically acclaimed author, financial theorist and historian whose books include A Splendid Exchange: How Trade Shaped the World, The Birth of Plenty, The Four Pillars of Investing, and The Intelligent Asset Allocator. Bernstein is frequently quoted in national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, Money, and Forbes.  If you are wondering about the cause of the current market crisis, then you haven't been reading enough of Jack Bogle.
Because he certainly knows not only where, but why and how. For decades Jack has been communicating his disquiet in previous books, speeches, and public testimony. Years from now, when historians and investors dissect the economic and market meltdowns of 2008, they'll consult this slim, well-written volume. In order to understand the intellectual and moral platform from which he surveys the economic wreckage, you need to know a little of his story. Bogle founded one of the world's great investment companies, the Vanguard Group. Most men in his situation would have levered such success into a multi-billion-dollar net worth; instead, he "mutualized" Vanguard, converting it, in effect, into a nonprofit organization whose only goal was to benefit its fund holders. From an ethical perspective, Vanguard is the only "investment company" worthy of that name. (As opposed to most financial firms, which are in fact "marketing companies" whose main purpose is to milk unwitting investors of fees and commissions.) The answer to the conundrum of 2008 lies in the book’s title, "Enough," which is the punch line from a delightful Kurt Vonnegut/Joseph Heller story. Simply put, our nation has been suffering from decades of unchecked financial excess, for which we are now paying the piper: excess in investment company fees; excess in financial speculation masquerading as diversification and innovation; excess in the salaries of top executives; excess in salesmanship; and most importantly, excess in the role played by the financial industry in our national economy and national life. Each of these excesses gets its own chapter, and each one is a tightly written gem. Chapters 2 and 3, which dissect out the frenzy of derivatives, structured vehicles, and layers of intermediation behind the recent collapse, alone justify the book's purchase price. As Bogle states in the book's beginning, in the spring of 2007 the financial services sector--which, after all, produces nothing of substantive value--accounted for one-third of the earnings of the S&P 500. By the time you read this, this outsized influence will have shrunken drastically. Let Enough be your welcome to the brave new world; it will satisfy your curiosity, give you a sense of moral balance in this most materialistic of ages, and even plump up your investment portfolio. --William J. Bernstein
Product Description
Enough. is a piece of work that simply has not been seen by the likes of Jack Bogle before. Sure, the world knows of his legendary financial mind. He is the Father of Index Investing. He is the founder of Vanguard. He is St. Jack. And now he wants to share his own journey, filled with famous characters and telling anecdotes, that aims to teach investors the importance of doing the right thing, how to be a strong leader in today's world, and what it means to have "enough."
“It's hard to imagine a better time to publish a book that advocates moderation, balance and integrity in the business world. In this wise meditation, Bogle, the folk-hero creator of the first index mutual fund and founder of the Vanguard Mutual Fund Group, deplores ?our worship of wealth and the growing corruption of our professional ethics but ultimately the subversion of our character and values.’ Directly in his sights: CEOs and hedge-fund managers who draw ?obscene’ compensation. At this time of plunging portfolios, it is a relief to be told that ?enough’ is within reach.” ?TIME Magazine
“Why don’t people publish pamphlets any more. I’m not talking about the slim-jims handed out at trade shows, but rabble-rousing, world-changing works like Common Sense and The Communist Manifesto. John Bogle, the founder of Vanguard, follows in the footsteps of the great pamphleteers??Central to the effective functioning of capitalism,’ he writes, ?was the fundamental principle of trusting and being trusted’?and that is disappearing. The problem now: No one is satisfied with having ?enough’ money or enough success. ? If pamphlets were still the rage, 48 pages distilled from the contents of this book could be something as powerful to our age as anything written by Thomas Paine or Marx and Engels. In our more bookish time, though, Bogle has fleshed his ideas out to an interesting, 266-page overview of his life and his views.”?Barron’s
“’What have I created?’ [Bogle] asks in mock horror in his new book?his cry reflects a deeper personal dilemma, one that jags like a scar through this thoughtful meditation on the excess and greed that created the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. ? I applaud his enthusiasm and don’t doubt his wisdom and sincerity. ?Enough’ – with the period – is a worthy addition to the canon, a variation of his familiar sermon on thrift, simplicity, and the superiority of low-cost index funds.”?James Pressley, Bloomberg News
“Bogle is a rarity - a true captain of industry who speaks about complex economic issues in a language comprehensible to the layperson.” ?Michael Smerconish, The Philadelphia Enquirer
“Enough shines a light on Bogle's sense of despair over the state of the financial industry, and perhaps industry in general. ? From CEOs who implode their companies and float away on golden parachutes, to financial companies who create instruments so complex they themselves have trouble understanding them, to mutual fund companies that market rosy returns while sugarcoating their fees, Bogle sees a lack of integrity and a willingness to play fast and loose with ethical rules in order to make a buck. (Or, maybe more accurate, 150 billion bucks.)” ?Justin McHenry, BlogCritics Magazine
“Jack Bogle’s passionate cry of Enough. contains a thought-provoking litany of life lessons regarding our individual roles in commerce and society. Employing a seamless mix of personal anecdotes, hard evidence, and all-too-often-underrated subjective admonitions, Bogle challenges each of us to aspire to become better members of our families, our professions, and our communities. Rarely do so few pages provoke so much thought. Read this book.” ?David F. Swensen, Chief Investment Officer, Yale University
"Enough. gives new meaning to the words 'commitment,' 'accountability,' and 'stewardship.' Bogle writes with clarity and passion, and his standards make him a role model for all of us. Enough. is must-reading for millions of U.S. investors disenchanted by today's culture of greed, accounting distortions, corporate malfeasance, and oversight failure." ?Arthur Levitt, Former Chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
"What went wrong? What can, and should, go right? The great Jack Bogle has the answers. Enough. will leave you hungry for more." ?James Grant, editor of Grant's Interest Rate Observer
"Jack Bogle's wonderful, thoughtful, helpful, and fun-filled little book inspired me to create my own title: Never Enough of Jack Bogle!" ?Peter L. Bernstein, author of Capital Ideas Evolving and Against the Gods
"In Enough., Jack Bogle, 'the conscience of Wall Street,' distills his half-century of observations on the capital markets, and on life in general, into a few hundred entertaining pages?required reading for those concerned about their own future, their family's future, and the nation's future." ?William J. Bernstein, author, A Splendid Exchange and The Four Pillars of Investing
“This is an impressive message from a distinguished businessman. It will challenge all decision makers to consider the sufficiency and direction of their lives and work. What do we mean by Enough? Enough of what? Enough for what purpose? Feast here and reflect.” ?Robert F. Bruner, Dean and Charles C. Abbott Professor of Business Administration, Darden Graduate School of Business
“From one ?battler’ to another: Thank you for putting in one little book the premise for an active, long life. A primer for those who will abjure complacency and just wanting more, who’d rather focus on the joy of trying to move some ball downfield.” ?Ira Millstein, Senior Partner, Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP
“The balances one must create in investing, in running a business, and in life more generally are simply and clearly stated in Jack’s most recent book, Enough. Unfortunately there are not enough Jack Bogles around in today’s world of instant gratification. Enough. should be must reading for business students and corporate board members.” ?David L. Sokol, Chairman, MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company
Product Description
For a critical element of American society, including many of its wealthiest and most powerful, there seems to be no limit today on what "enough" entails.
The excesses are most starkly visible in the continuing crisis in banking and investment, and even in the two enormous government-sponsored (but publicly owned) mortgage lenders, to say nothing of the billion-dollar-plus annual paychecks that top hedge-fund managers draw down and the excessive compensation paid to CEOs, regardless of performance.
Throughout his legendary career, John Bogle—founder of the Vanguard mutual fund group, and creator of the first index mutual fund—has helped investors build wealth the right way and led a tireless campaign to restore common sense to the investment world. Along the way, he’s seen how destructive an obsession with financial success can be. Now, with Enough, he puts this dilemma in perspective.
Bogle offers his unparalleled insights on money, on the values we should emulate in our business and professional callings, and on what we should consider as the true treasures in our lives. By explaining what "enough" truly is, he demonstrates how close everyone can be to having it.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
When is it enough? November 2, 2008
35 out of 42 found this review helpful
Enough is an unusual book and a suitable wake-up call for Americans. It's unusual because it's written by John Bogle, a man who has spent his career helping people build wealth through investments. You might think his message is, "it's never enough," but it's far from it.
Bogle's effort is dedicated to responsible investing and avoiding a life spent running blind with dollar signs in your eyes. Bogle takes care in describing what "enough" is, and how we can follow his insight to use this understanding to live more fulfilling professional and personal lives (and be more responsible investors).
Another book I recommend because I've enjoyed it immensely and benefitted greatly from it as I adjust to our freefalling economy is The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book
Our insatiable desire for more November 6, 2008
29 out of 40 found this review helpful
The seemingly insatiable Wall Street desire for more, combined with look-the-other-way regulators, has landed the U.S. in financial crisis. In Jack Bogle's latest book, Enough, you can read it thinking about the current pickle we find ourselves in and you will understand why it happened. He does a great job of explaining why there has never been a better time to learn individually, and as a country, when enough is enough.
This book delves into the perfect storm of investing created by costs, speculation, and complexity. It examines the folly of a business paradigm that focuses on the short-term bottom line; where business conduct and management becomes all about the sale, no matter what the cost.
In life we often seem to define our success by the material possessions we have amassed. The "he who dies with the most stuff, wins" philosophy dictates that somehow this will make us a happier person. Jack Bogle puts such a philosophy in perspective by reminding us that being the richest person in the graveyard shouldn't be our goal.
Enough is engaging and thought-provoking, and offers practical insights that extend beyond investing and business into life itself Jack Bogle clearly could have been a billionaire had he founded Vanguard as a for-profit entity. I suspect he must have realized far earlier than I did that there is more meaning to life than the accumulation of money.
Personally, what I can't get ENOUGH of are the insights from Jack Bogle. Simple and obvious though they may be, sometimes life gets too busy to see what is right in front of our faces. And what's right in front of our faces in Enough, is common sense.
An Astute Diagnosis of Our Embattled Financial System November 6, 2008
28 out of 39 found this review helpful
Jack Bogle's timing could not have been better; Enough has burst onto the scene just when it was needed most.
America's financial system is clearly broken, and if we are wise and lucky, the next administration will repair it successfully. This book is required reading for anyone involved in the process, and for anyone who cares about the nation's future.
Bogle's credentials in this regard are beyond question: having founded the nation's second-largest mutual fund company, instead of cashing in he "mutualized" it and turned it over to its mutual-fund customers. His astute observations of our financial system, acquired in his half-century at the heart of the country's markets, shine through in every page of tightly written prose.
The book's title itself is premised on the punch line from a delightful Kurt Vonnegut/Joseph Heller story. It then goes on to describe the unchecked excesses in investment company fees, in speculation masquerading as diversification and innovation, in the salaries of top executives, in salesmanship, and most importantly, in the role played by the financial industry in our national economy and national life. Each of these excesses gets its own chapter, and each one is a gem.
This book, with its emphasis on investing simplicity, will pay dividends to the reader's bottom line as well.
Enough already: buy this book. It will reward you philosophically, financially, and morally.
Outstanding and Very Timely! November 14, 2008
8 out of 11 found this review helpful
An excellent overview of what ails American society today.
Bogle begins by noting that the world of finance is marked by too much cost and not enough value, too much speculation and not enough investment, and too much complexity. On balance, the financial system subtracts value from our society. During 2006 the financial sector accounted for $215 billion of the $711 billion earned by the S&P 500, more if earnings of financial subsidiaries (eg. G.E. Capital) are included).
Bogle then explains some of the problematic new devices. Structured investment vehicles (SIVs) are essentially money market funds that borrow short and lend long. Solvency of the SIV may be at risk if the value of the long-term security falls below that of the short-term securities. Second, there is a liquidity risk, possibly necessitating a forced sale of the long-term asset. To sell SIVs, banks often issue "puts" - guarantees to repurchase the SIVs at face value on demand. (Citigroup ended up holding $55 billion of CDOs and $25 billion of SIVs that were "put" back to the bank.
Collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) are a modern version of alchemy - eg. 5,000 B- or BBI rated mortgages (lead) are miraculously turned into eg. 75% rated AAA (gold), 12% AA, 4% A, and 9% BBB through supposedly risk-reducing diversification.
An interest-rate derivative's (estimated $400 trillion, vs. the world's GDP of $62 trillion) underlying asset is the right to pay or receive a (usually notional) amount of money at a given interest rate. An estimated 80% of top companies use these to control their cash flow.
Credit Default Swaps are often used to provide coverage for a CDO failing to pay. They are unregulated (unlike insurance) and one doesn't need an insurable interest (eg. CDO ownership). In the current market, credit obligations subject to default swaps are valued at $2 trillion, vs. swaps totaling $62 trillion.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have provided some $5 trillion of mortgage loans, using high leverage (eg. 40:1). Faced with a credit crisis the Treasury placed them in a federal conservatorship. (Bogle laments we have privatized rewards, socialized risks here.)
Bogle also believes most mutual funds underperform the market. During the 25 years ended 2005, fund investors on average received a 482% increase, vs. index fund returns of 1,718%. Their survival rates are nothing to brag about either - of the 6,126 mutual funds at the start of 2001, 3,165 were gone by mid-2008.
Bogle then moves on to business (mis)finance. At the market peak of early 2000, nearly all firms raised their assumptions of return on pension assets, some to 10% (actually 1% or less this decade). Security analysts over the past two decades have, on average, projected annual earnings growth of 11.5%, vs. reality of 6%. Recently earnings reported under GAAP have quietly changed to "operating" (without writeoffs) earnings, and auditor-certified earnings restatements soared from 90 in 1997 to 1,577 in 2006.
Why has Avis been sold 18 times since its 1946 inception, each time with fat fees, bonuses, and new theories? Not for any useful reason, per Bogle. Meanwhile, the average compensation of a CEO vs. average worker has risen from 42X in 1980 to 520X; mutual funds hold about 35% os all U.S. stocks.
Not Everything That Counts Can Be Counted December 5, 2008
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
Well-known mutual fund pioneer John Bogle (founder of Vanguard and the index fund) uses Enough to explain how the financial markets got into the current mess, to prescribe the need to reinstate character and stewardship into those who lead, and to suggest that piling up more money, toys, and baubles causes more harm than good.
I particularly liked the sections where Mr. Bogle explained that making the financial markets more complicated and expensive simply makes the average American less wealthy. His analysis and descriptions are right on.
My next favorite section was in describing the kind of leader that Benjamin Franklin was in innovating as an inventory, social entrepreneur, statesman, and businessman. Those who don't know about Franklin will find this information to be very inspiring.
I also applaud his clear emphasis on the idea that money doesn't count compared to character and doing the right thing.
The book has a few weaknesses that might bother a few readers. There's perhaps a little too much emphasis on what Vanguard has done over the years, making the book seem almost like an infomercial after a while. Although he points out to what needs to change, the prescriptions for change are pretty modest. As long as many people can never have enough, they will be lured into dangerous, expensive investment vehicles and actions that "cut corners" that shouldn't be cut. He doesn't really address the question of how much people should be saved from themselves by banishing certain practices (such as charging fees for funds of funds or the current structure of how hedge fund managers are paid).
In my own research on stock options, I've identified highly ethical, intelligent management teams that were distracted by as little as the chance to make an extra two million dollars a person over several years. As a result, I doubt if many of the problems he's concerned about can be solved by anything less than much stronger regulation than has ever existed in corporate America.
If the alternative is for people to reform themselves, we may have along wait before ethical, effective behavior improves. Since most people learn good behavior in the home, which of the unethical, money-obsessed leaders are going to raise the children who will develop and behave according to good character in being stewards of other peoples' interests?
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