Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits

By: Philip A. Fisher

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

One of the most important works ever written on investment theory, Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits lays out the fundamental principles of intelligent investing. Widely respected and admired, Philip Fisher is among the most influential investors of all time. His investment philosophies are not only studied and applied by today's finance professionals, but are also regarded by many as gospel. He is a pioneer of modern investment theory.

©1986 by Philip A. Fisher (P)2000 by Penton Overseas, Inc. Published by Penton Overseas, Inc. and Audio Scholar, Inc.

Critic reviews

"I am an eager reader of whatever Phil [Fisher] has to say, and I recommend him to you". (Warren Buffett)

Decent introduction on growth stocks

you might require read much more as a growth stock investor though the general guidelines are good it's kind of a bird's eye view.

Good enough

Good enough, but would rather wait for a complete version instead of the abridged one.

Well spoken

Probably the most well spoken book on investing I have ever heard. Some of the english is pretty old school, and the author words things rather poetically, but his style of writing allows a reader to get the main points across easily. Chapters such as “15 points” and “five things not to do” make the book unambiguous. I suggest you to slow the book down though because the narrator is a very fast reader for such an old way of speaking.

great Insight on investing smart it is a must that

I listen to this again so my knowledge will grow thank you audible great work

Struggled with monotone voice, but good book

I thought the book was useful, but I struggled with the reader's voice. This book took me much longer than I anticipated because I had gotten lost in the monotone voice. I had to rewind and review parts multiple times to get it. I ultimately used a summary to help me get the jist of the book, which helped me the most.

What a great book for anyone! Especially newer investors

This book was definitely one of the best books on stocks I've read. It's easy to understand easy to follow, the narrator is great, you can apply all the knowledge right away and it's values seem to be timeless as an investor. I really enjoyed the book and will listen many times more!!!

Some useful ideas, some less so

This book provides some interesting ideas on how to manage your investments, but as another reviewer has already stated, some of the strategies are not easy for the individual investor to employ. I don't think I'll be able to meet the bankers of the companies I am investing in anytime soon!

So, I would not put this at the top of my list of investing books to recommend, but do not completely pan it either. The author does espouse a long term investment strategy and offers what appears to be some sound advice for choosing investments. One particular bit of advice was a set of 14 points, some of which can be used as a screen to look for potential investments.

If you have not read (or listened to) "One Up on Wall Street" by Peter Lynch, that is a work I highly recommend.

Must Read

Must read for the value investor. One of short list of important books for those who want to learn more about value investing.

Investment wisdom, superbly stated

If you could sum up Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits in three words, what would they be?

Thought through, engaging!

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

It's not really what's said that's so different from other books of this type, but that this very commonsense approach is so thoughtfully and wonderfully stated. Very, very well-crafted.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

I'm partial. George Guidall, who, to me, is at the top of my list of narrators (this is one of many audio books I've heard him narrate), brings the incredible dramatic skill that can narrate a classic like The Iliad, to a book of finance. Yes, this is a classic investment text, but I can never minimize how George Guidall can make a book, even one that might seem dry to some, come across with power and weight.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits?

Stock investing for uncommon profits is hard work, but if approached with serious intent, as well as perseverance, it is a possibility. For those who find this intellectually stimulating, it just might be a possibility working hard for.

Any additional comments?

The only obstacle to giving this an overall 5 stars is that the ideas are not groundbreaking. It's as if I'd heard these thoughts expressed before, but never this well stated.

Good advice but a little dry.

Very sound advice for investing, presented logically and straightforward. The presentation was a little dry though.