• Common Sense on Mutual Funds

  • Fully Updated 10th Anniversary Edition
  • By: John C Bogle
  • Narrated by: Scott Peterson
  • Length: 20 hrs and 49 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (292 ratings)

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Common Sense on Mutual Funds

By: John C Bogle
Narrated by: Scott Peterson
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Publisher's summary

John Bogle - founder of the Vanguard Mutual Fund Group and creator of the first index mutual fund - is an industry pioneer. Over the years, he has single-handedly transformed the mutual fund business, and today, his vision continues to inspire investors .It has been over a decade since the original edition of Common Sense on Mutual Funds was first published. While much has changed during this time, the importance of investing and the issues addressed in the original edition of this book have not. Now, in the Fully Updated 10th Anniversary Edition of Common Sense on Mutual Funds, Bogle returns to update his in-depth look at mutual funds and the business of investing - helping you navigate through the staggering array of investment options found in today's evolving investment landscape.

Timely and timeless, this important audiobook examines the fundamentals of mutual fund investing in turbulent market environments and offers valuable guidance for building an investment portfolio. Along the way, Bogle shows you that simplicity and common sense still trump costly complexity, and that a low cost, broadly diversified portfolio continues to be the best way to build wealth at the lowest cost and risk - and will almost always outperform more expensive, actively managed mutual funds.Throughout, Bogle skillfully presents a platform for intelligent investing as he analyzes costs, exposes tax inefficiencies, and warns of the mutual fund industry's conflicting interests.

Emphasizing long-term investing and asset allocation, Bogle offers sensible solutions to the fund selection process and reveals what it will take to make it in today's chaotic market. Securing your financial future has never seemed more difficult, but after listening to this revised and updated edition of Common Sense on Mutual Funds, you will become a better investor. From stock and bond funds to global investing and index funds, this audiobook will help you regain your financial footing and make more informed investment decisions.

©2010 John C. Bogle (P)2012 Gildan Media, LLC

Critic reviews

"The only thing better than Bogle's original book is its improved revision. Bon appetit!" (Paul A. Samuelson, Nobel Laureate, Economics)
"Were I allowed to recommend only one investment volume to friends and family, the updated edition of Common Sense on Mutual Funds would be it - it is even better than the first edition was ten years ago." (William J. Bernstein, author of The Investor's Manifesto, A Splendid Exchange, The Birth of Plenty, and The Four Pillars of Investing)

What listeners say about Common Sense on Mutual Funds

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  • BW
  • 02-21-16

Way long to make the point

I will save you hours of time. Invest in the S&P500 and not mutual funds or individual stocks. Fees much lower and you will end up with more money in the end as long as you are a long term investor. Don't be a short term investor. Don't buy anything with a 12-b fee charged on it. Vanguard funds are the best. I just saved you 20 hours. You're welcome.

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71 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

This book not intended for audio format

Would you try another book from John C Bogle and/or Scott Peterson?

Yes. I found the material itself very interesting and relavant. I had been looking for a book on mutual funds and this filled that need.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Common Sense on Mutual Funds?

This book doesn't lend itself to "memorable moments" since it's primarily educational material.

What didn’t you like about Scott Peterson’s performance?

Scott's performance was good. There was, however, one chapter which he DIDN'T read. I don't know who did, but that one chapter was horrible.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

This book doesn't lend itself to sparking a response since it's primarily educational material.

Any additional comments?

Although I thoroughly enjoyed the material, this book doesn't translate into audio format at all. Imagine listening to a math or physics book. There are just too many tables, charts and other data that fit well in written form, but are not suited to having them read to you. I need to SEE the tables and charts in order to best understand them.

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16 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

"A Classic Book on Investing"

Would you listen to Common Sense on Mutual Funds again? Why?

Yes. It may be the best practical book on equity investing ever written. Simple and precise, it lays out the case for passive investing in a way that will change your thinking about mutual funds forever.

What other book might you compare Common Sense on Mutual Funds to and why?

No other books really compare in content. Although there are parallels in "Fooled by Randomness", and many of Warren Buffet's books espouse the benefits of Indexing.

Any additional comments?

John Bogle may be the most influential and honest voice in the investment world. His creation of the world's first Index Fund (Vanguard Index 500) and the subsequent rejection of it by almost everyone, is a great example of how many new ideas are not initially seen for their greatness or truth. Standing the test of time, Bogle's Vanguard Index Funds have beaten the majority of professional (active) money managers. My biggest take-aways from this book are "don't look for the needle, buy the haystack", "reversion to the mean", "most untrained investors can beat well-trained investment professionals by investing in a low-cost index fund" and "active equity mutual funds take a significant portion of an investor's risk premium through fees and expenses, created by excessive portfolio turnover, taxes and 12-b1 fees". This book is a "must read" for anyone trying to build an investment portolio.

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11 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

make some money buy this book.

Can be a bit technical, but stick with it... it is worth the knowledge.

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4 people found this helpful

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Even more perfect with the book

Where does Common Sense on Mutual Funds rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The is very insightful & informative, highly recommended for both whom want to understand the financial markets & general trading wisdom, or those whom want to learn how the mutual funds business works. Moreover, you will sure learn how to invest in the best funds.
The only thing I faced difficulties with, is unseen charts in audiobook, which is solved by buying the book.

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

a hard listen

i missed a lot and didnt feel like i missed anything. the points were hammered home like an overzealous sales pitch or a republican platform. good for financial health, but glad im done.

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2 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A solid way to look at funds

The book is full of great insight into looking at mutual funds differently, that being said the reader is very monotone which for a 20 hour long book makes it extremely difficult to listen to on long rides in the car I would highly recommend the book to anyone though as the information is pretty solid.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Must read on investing!

It's a bit long and heavy but the words are wise and true. Index funds are the best. Vanguard

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wisdom

A great book that makes a convincing case to invest wisely and filter out the noise of hot funds and hot fund managers. I highly recommend it.

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5 stars for amatures, 3 stars for pros

I would make this a required text for highschool economic students and anyone who is daft about investing. The meat and potatoes of this isn't until after 10 hours, and many comments besides mind note what the most common themes are. stick to fundamentals, avoid fees, diversify according to age. etc. it affirms my bias of pushing a Vanguard Growth Fund for most common investors and retirement planning, but I would criticize it for no being comprehensive overall. this definitely takes to heart the importance of saying a lot about a little rather than say a little about a lot

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