Book Description
Malcolm Muggeridge was one of Great Britain's most well-known journalists and television personalities, having interviewed practically every major public figure of his time. He shocked the world with his conversion to Christianity later in life. "St. Mugg", as he was affectionately known, was clear in his new-found faith: "It is the truth that has died, not God," and "Jesus was God or he was nothing." These wonderful selections of Muggeridge's writings and speeches cover a wide variety of spiritual themes, revealing his profound faith, great wit, and lively writing style. Topics include "Jesus: The Man Who Lives", "Is There a God?", "The Prospect of Death", "Do We Need Religion?", "Peace and Power", and many more.
Customer Reviews:
Fearful Symmetry.......2006-03-22
As editor of the British humour magazine, Punch, and an inveterate journalist, Malcolm Muggeridge was a familiar face in Britain and to a lesser degree, in America, and often in the camera's eye. He is, however, one of the few journalists to wryly realize the irony of that and to comment endlessly on the absurdities of journalism. What poet William Blake called fearful symmetry he found everywhere, and never ceased to delight in racking up endless examples.
By what some might consider a happy accident, he began finding faith at the same time that collared clerics in Britain vocally announced that they were losing it. For a while the clerics' crisis proved newsworthy, but once interest waned, journalists turned to the odd story of one of their own swimming against the stream.
Cecil Kuhne cites as his reason for assembling this 240 page omnibus anthology the unavailability of many of Mugger's works, although many of them are finding their way back into print. While this is a good introduction for those who don't want to track down a half dozen books, it consists entirely of reprinted works, many of which originally appeared in a different form and are therefore somewhat out of context. Jesus: The Man Who Lives, for instance, was initially published in hardback with full color art plates. Jesus Rediscovered, a best-selling collection compiled by Lady Collins, collects musings from various stages of Muggeridge's spiritual journey, and thus seems to contradict itself. Other bits come from Vintage Muggeridge, Something Beautiful for God (his book on Mother Theresa), and Paul: Envoy Extraordinaire. William F. Buckley Jr., on whose TV program Firing Line Malcolm appeared, contributes an introduction, and the epilogue comes courtesy of Sally Muggeridge, president of the Malcolm Muggeridge Society in London (with contact information for those desirous of joining)
Ignatius Press' publication of this title will probably bring Muggers' thoughtful musings and acerbic wit to an audience that otherwise might not discover him, but it would be a mistake to pigeonhole him as a religious writer; you don't need a taste for devotional writing to read Muggers. For a different slant, see Ian Hunter's sampler, The Very Best of Malcolm Muggeridge or the anthology The Most of Malcolm Muggeridge. As Kuhne notes, some of his best books remain unaccountably out of print, namely his two volume autobiography, The Chronicles of Wasted Time, usually published as The Green Stick (vol. one) and The Infernal Grove (vol. two), but sometimes collected as one volume. At any rate, here's a great introduction to the trenchant wit of the tireless commentator who called himself, after St. Augustine, a "vendor of words". Readers dipping into this volume may be led by some happy accident or fearful symmetry to discover these other books and more Mugg.
Book Description
A modern pilgrim explores the spiritual wanderings of Augustine, Pascal, Blake, Kierkegaard, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and Bonhoeffer. Based on a television series on these notable thinkers, A Third Testament brings to life seven men whose names are familiar enough, but whose iconoclastic spiritual wanderings make for unforgettable reading. Muggeridge's concise biographies are an accessible and manageable introduction to these spiritual giants who carried on the testament to the reality of God begun in the Old and New Testaments.
St. Augustine, a headstrong young hedonist and speechwriter who turned his back on money and prestige in order to serve Christ…
Blaise Pascal, a brilliant mathematician who pursued scientific knowledge but warned people against thinking they could live without God…
William Blake, a magnificent artist-poet who pled passionately for the life of the spirit and warned of the blight that materialism would usher in…
Soren Kierkegaard, a renegade philosopher who spent most of his life at odds with the church, and insisted that every person must find his own way to God…
Fyodor Dostoevsky, a debt-ridden writer and sometime prisoner who found, in the midst of squalor and political turmoil, the still small voice of God…
Leo Tolstoy, a grand old novelist who swung between idealism and depression, loneliness and fame—and a duel awareness of his sinfulness and God's grace…
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor whose writings—and agonized involvement in a plot to kill Hitler—cost him his life, but continue to inspire millions…
Customer Reviews:
Excellent for its purpose, but is limited.......2007-05-25
This is an excellent read, especially for those not familiar with the writings of the people discussed. It is a kind of survey, an easy way to be exposed to a wide range of beliefs on spirituality. However, keep in mind that "spiritual wandings" is only one aspect of each person; there is much more than that to each. If one reads the writings of all these people, one will realize that there is much more to each, and some are very complex. For example, you would have to read a lot by Tolstoy to begin to really understand what his thoughts were, which covered many aspects of life and thought beyond spirituality. I suggest you read the book, then buy others on someone you especially like. Perhaps read a bit about them (the internet is a good source) before reading a bit by them.
barely scratches the surface.......2007-05-19
The writers reviewed here in this work are great men of faith and explorers of truth. If you want to become mildly acquainted with these men, this is an ok start--but little more than an expanded wikipedia biography. These writers are worthy enough to be looked at directly, not through this sort of heavy filter. Go buy their books, not this one.
So Much in So Few Pages.......2006-10-03
That's the value of this classic. It gives you a sophisticated introduction to several great thinkers and prophets who searched for God. Muggeridge was, as others have noted, himself a prophet of the madness of his century and the twenty-first century. Here we have the sort of sensitive and perceptive introduction to great thinkers that induces us to read their original works. For a detailed review, see my blog above for Oct. 3, 2006. (Note: the older hardcover edition I read did not include Dostoevsky.)
Excellent biography.......2006-06-26
Muggeridge gives almost an insiders view of what shaped the lives of these great men of the faith. Its almost like he was there witnessing their lives and tagged along with them in their "good times and bad times".
Elementary, my dear.......2006-01-20
Honestly, I didn't finish this book. I didn't even get very far. It sounds wonderful, a book about some of the greatest Christian minds. It reads like a 4th-graders research paper. Muggeridge inserts so much of his own thoughts and experiences its almost like we're reading his biography. His bios of these brilliant men are muddled, not described chronologically or in any other apparent order. If you want a VERY basic overview of these men, maybe this book is for you. If you actually have the intelligence to read anything written by any of them - this book is far beneath you.
Book Description
"The media in general, and TV in particular, are incomparably the greatest single influence in our society . This influence is, in my opinion, largely exerted irresponsibly, arbitrarily, and without reference to any moral or intellectual, still less spiritual guidelines whatsoever." Throughout his journalistic career, Malcolm Muggeridge was a commentator. On radio and television, as a lecturer, journalist and author, he fascinated, delighted, provoked-and sometimes infuriated-his audiences. Christ and the Media is a sharp, witty critique of media-oriented culture with such intriguing fantasies as the "the Fourth Temptation," in which Jesus is approached with the offer of a worldwide TV network. "Future historians," wrote Muggeridge, "will surely see us as having created in the media a Frankenstein monster which no one knows how to control or direct, and marvel that we should have so meekly subjected ourselves to its destructive and often malign influence. Born in 1903 started his career as a university lecturer at the university in Cairo before taking up journalism. As a journalist he worked around the world on the Guardian, Calcutta Statesman, the Evening Standard and the Daily Telegraph, and then in 1953 became editor of Punch where he remained for four years. In later years he became best known as a broadcaster both on television and radio for the BBC. His other books include Jesus Rediscovered, Jesus: The Man Who Lives, and A Third Testament. He died in 1990.
Customer Reviews:
The view of an insider.......2007-05-31
I really appreciate Malcolm Muggeridge's insider view of what the constant medial has done toward the erosion of moral values. Having been a main man at BBC, he has special knowledge about the fantasy of media and the reality of life.
Excellent perspective.......2007-01-04
This book is probably one of Malcolm's most interesting works for a couple of reasons. First, he is at the top of his game in his use of English and reason. Second, because this is the most unmitigated and focused response to liberal media I have ever read. It was so direct and harsh that66 at times I found I wasn't sure I agreed with him. However, the more I mulled over the thoughts and worked through it, the more I realized I was in agreement with his premises. Excellent and thorough, though it will seem a bit short.
How is truth distorted by TV news + documentaries?.......2006-11-06
Muggeridge was a modern-day prophet in that he had a clear perception and understanding of the impact of Television on Western Media. In his words, "It is a truism to say that the media in general, and TV in particular...are incomparably the greatest single influence in our society today...This influence [is] largely exerted irresponsibly, arbitrarily, and without reference to any moral or intellectual, still less spiritual, guidelines whatsoever. Furthermore, if it is the case, as I believe, that what we still call Western civilization is fast disintegrating, then the media are playing a major role in the process by carrying out, albeit for the most part unconsciously, a mighty brainwashing operation, whereby all traditional standards and values are being denigrated to the point of disappearing, leaving a moral vacuum in which the very concepts of Good and Evil have ceased to have any validity."
He clearly describes the power of the editor (of TV news/documentaries especially) to present "the truth" or "reality" live, in living color, through carefully edited clips--which present the event from the perspective of the editor--telling the story the way the editor wants to present it, which may be (and often is) very different from "the truth" as seen and experienced by the various people involved in the event.
Bernard Goldberg, in his book "Bias", has described several examples from CBS News, and there have been many more recently.
Muggeridge's only practical solution: "Put a Christian behind the camera." I believe he meant by that, a person who is truly following Christ and therefore is aware of and sensitive to his/her own worldview; who respects the beliefs and worldviews of others; and who makes a genuine attempt to "balance" the story by providing multiple viewpoints and not promoting his/her own view at the expense of others. Clearly, not a person who fabricates "facts" to support their beliefs or theories; not someone who "spins" or twists the facts, or who ignores data that does not fit their view or agenda.
A rather brief book - but I believe a powerful vision of the potential for Evil (Muggeridge's word, not mine) when TV editorializing/production is in the hands of men and women who thirst for power and who lack moral judgement. The "Greatest Generation" called it by it's proper name: Propaganda.
Thanks to the publisher for re-publishing this valuable book!
Powerful exploration of modern media practices..........2006-03-04
Muggeridge was wise beyond his time! This book is utterly fascinating and kept me spellbound for days. He explores the many issues that modern media practices bring to our culture. A wonderful, though troubling look at life through the lens. Awesome reading!
The media is the world of shadows.......2006-03-01
This is Malcolm Muggeridge's critique of The Media, with a special emphasis on television. His thesis is that 1) television is the greatest influence upon the modern word, and 2) televisions influence, on the whole, has been detrimental to civilization. (23)
His first lecture is a thought-experiment. He sees Christ rejecting an offer from Satan for prime-time TV appearance-what he called "the Fourth Temptation of Christ"- as the example for latter-day Christians (Lecture 1). By the very nature of televion, the Christian message would be distorted. Television is so controlled and stylized, it is essentially a "fantasy-machine" (62). He continually affirms that "the media is the world of shadows." (74)
His second thought-experiment is a bit more poignant. In the second lecture, entitled "The Dead Sea Videotapes," he imagines what future archaeologists would make of our world if they studied our television programs. His conclusion is that our civilization was a cult of progress, sexual consumption, and education. (53ff). Reality TV, anyone?
His last lecture is a boiler-plait discussion on television as epistemology. His specific target is the strictly homogenized, carefully edited product called "Newzak." After citing some startling incidents that evince that news is "not so much what has happened, as what can be seen [caught on tape] as happening, or what seems to have happened." (62) He closes his lecture and the conference by comparing TV with Plato's cave: if all we see are shadows on a wall, then for all intents and purposes, that is what is real.
Although the overall feel to the lectures is negative- Muggeridge confesses he threw out his TV years ago-his method is a remotive "Via Negativa": if media is so bad, then the only way to come to reality is by way of Christ. In fact, Christ and the Media are incompatible.
This book important, and has become even more so with the rise of the new Internet and independent media. Media has slowly become "infotainment," and our problem is being able to sort out the aesthetic aspect form the epistemology. Furthermore, Muggeridge was leery of the proto-political correctness "collective thought" that was apparent in the BBC:
"There is something, to me, very sinister about this emergence of a weird kind of conformity, or orthodoxy, particularly among the people who operate the media, so that you can tell in advance exactly what they will say and think about anything. It is true that so far they have not got an Inquisition to enforce their orthodoxy, but they do have ways of enforcing it which make the old thumbscrews and racks seem quite paltry." (91)
"Consensus-making and -promoting, I should say, is to be seen historically as an instinctive preparation for some sort of conformist-collectivist society which lies ahead whatever may happen, all that is in doubt being the precise ideology which will characterize it." (52)
This is significant because Orwell told him that 1984's Ministry of Truth was based on the BBC (105)
So this book is a call for the Christian to consider his part in watching the media and for the Christian directly involved wit the media. To both, MM warns: do not set your media heroes and yourself up as a false idol. The Second commandment (Thou shalt have no other gods before me) applied to the small screen as well as the field of Moloch, which can be the same thing. (94)
*
The only criticism I have is that the book has an awkward arraignment. It has Muggeridge's three lectures in one section, the Q and A in a second section, and the bracketing Chairmen's speeches in a third. I found myself hopping from section to section to get the flow and context of the discussion. I would have kept all their sections in order, to ease the flow of reading. This was done with Craig and Ludemann's debate on Christ's Resurrection and it perfected the intellectual experience.
Book Description
This biography of Malcolm Muggeridge traces the varied life of one of the most brilliant and controversial men of the twentieth century. The author, Ian Hunter, was given full access to all of Muggeridge's unpublished material, letters, and diaries. The result is an objective, well-researched, and honest account that is sometimes at variance with Muggeridge's own recollection of events. Ian Hunter captures the humor, the intellect, the rawness of perception, the abandoned honesty of a man engaged in knowing himself, his world, and his God. Malcolm Muggeridge was not merely a "vendor of words," as he invariably described himself, but was also a celebrated author, broadcaster, lecturer, debater, traveller, journalist and television personality, a one-time ardent admirer of the Soviet system, a World War II intelligence agent, and a former agnostic turned committed Christian. To many people, however, Malcolm Muggeridge was admired above all for his superb use of the English language. It is to the credit of Ian Hunter that after reading this biography one has a clearer understanding of an extraordinary man. Dr. Ian Hunter is professor emeritus at the University of Western Ontario. His articles and reviews have appeared in many Canadian and American poublications. He edited two collections of Muggeridge's writings: Things Past and The Very Best of Malcolm Muggeridge; he also wrote a biography of Muggeridge's friend, Hesketh Pearson (Nothing to Repent: The Life of Heskerth Pearson).
Customer Reviews:
A man at right turns to convention. .......2005-11-02
The first reviewer has analyzed the strengths of this biography quite astutely: I also found Hunter's engaged, questioning, opinionated style appropriate to the man analyzed, and lively, besides. Muggeridge has lived on all six inhabited continents, "outed" Joseph Stalin, a German spy, and Mother Theresa for what they (respectively) were, interviewed Khrushchev and De Gaul, and found Jesus. This is not just the story of a man, it is the story of a century.
Muggeridge seemed born to coach, but took a lifetime to learn how to play. A moralist who freely cheated on his wife, a critic of power with no practical solution to its exercise, and used his own powers mostly for demolition, an ally in the Culture of Life who savored the thought of his own death, it would be easy to simply call Muggeridge a hypocrite and have done with it. But while Hunter reveals his subject's flaws, it is hard to dislike the man, overlook his enormous talent with words, or downplay the great good he did by seeking truth, and finding more and more of it. I think of his friend George Orwell as a "blind prophet." Muggeridge similarly was much more skilled at smelling out lies than at affirming truth. He seemed to take equal joy in "dissing" vulgar American culture, the queen, or frivolous college students, as Soviet mass murder or South African apartheid. It's nice to see an old bloke have so much fun. And usually, he was right.
One odd note: Hunter credits Muggeridge's friendship with bishop Alec Vidler for (probably) helping bring Muggeridge to faith in Christ. It is this same cleric whose modernist approach to the Gospels inspired C. S. Lewis' brilliant repost to critical New Testament scholarship, Fernseed and Elephants. (Which, as I show in my book, Why the Jesus Seminar can't find Jesus, and Grandma Marshall Could, continues to upturn the arguments of Jesus skeptics.) So whatever Vidler believed, he inspired two influential English Christians to good deeds in exactly opposite ways. Clever, these Anglican priests.
Malcom, We Hardly Knew Ye.......2005-01-25
The few biographies I've read seem to be of two sorts. The first sort retreads all the old ground of the life of what-his-name: blah blah blah, and then subjects the dry-as-dust "facts" to some sort of psychological analysis to liven them up. Absolutely to be avoided. In the second sort, the author engages the subject as Jacob wrestled with the angel: as does a real life, it seems not a finished product, but a work in progress. To this second class Ian Hunter's bio of Malcom Muggeridge happily belongs. The author is just as passionate, maverick, and opinionated as his subject. "A life" is an apt subtitle, for in this book Muggers, as his pals called him, comes alive.
Hunter makes the keen observation that MM is perceived differently in his homeland of England than on the other side of the Atlantic, and this book, originally published in Britain, rounds out a lot for the American reader. Here is the straight scoop on three occasions in the life of MM that most people only know in rumours: his repatriating of humor writer P.G. Wodehouse, who was then being called a traitor in the British press; his reporting of the deliberately induced famine in Russia under Stalin, for which he was called a liar in the American press (Walter Duranty reported in the New York Times that there was no famine, so eager was he that the Russian experiment succeed); and his so-called mocking of the Queen, for which he was kicked off the BBC and done down by his enemies in the British press (Hunter reveals he actually made a positive comment about the queen).
Hunter writes from both personal acquaintance with Muggeridge and an easy familiarity with his writings, so that it's not always easy to tell when his paraphrases of Malcom's ideas leave off and Hunter's take over. But while that's a flaw in the first type of biography, it's really a boon in the second type. How to contain the dynamo that is Malcom Muggeridge? Thankfully, Hunter doesn't try, instead letting his subject roam restlessly through the pages, the dynamo churning through the prose. This book seems the tip of the iceberg, and in that sense does what all good bios do: sends its readers to its subject, hungering for more.
Customer Reviews:
Pictures Communicate.......2004-06-11
Muggeridge effectively uses pictures in this book to convey ideas words could not express. Likewise, he uses words to supplement the photos in ways that are not covered by the images. Taken together the pictures and the words communicate holistically in this work. This was done before the multi-media age. Muggeridge had the gift of communication and this book is a worthy contribution in that regard.
Of particular interest is his grappling of ideas which resulted in a personal paradigm shift. He wrestled with what was real in the arena of ideas. This resulted in his conversion to Christianity. The pictures and the narration tell the story of a seeker who wasn't afraid to explore ideas from any number of sources before discovering Truth.
Average customer rating:
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Sentenced to life: A parable in three acts
Malcolm Muggeridge
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 20th Century
| British
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
British
| Short Stories
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0840758391 |
Average customer rating:
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Where Do We Stand? A Christian Response to Secularism
Harry Blamires
Manufacturer: Regent College Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Theology
| Reference
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Theology
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1573833169 |
Book Description
Where do we stand? inquires into the nature of our secularist, materialistic civilization and offers a thoughtful Christian response. Blamires focuses on point of antagonism between the Christian faith and the assumptions of modernity. He notes, by contrast, the movements both inside and outside the Church -- some plainly materialistic and self-indulgent, others well-intentioned and altrustic -- which tends to undermine distinctively Christian action. He reminds Christians that the challenge today is one Christians have always faced: "The conflict between the Church and the World, between Christ and Caesar, will not go away and cannot be resolved by shuttle diplomacy, however patient and protracted. The Christian's vocation is always to be a citizen of another kingdom and therefore to live uneasily in the kingdom of this world." Harry Blamires started writing in the late 1940s at the encouragement of his friend, C.S. Lewis, his tutor at Oxford. Well known as a theologian, literary critic, and novelist, Blamires served as head of the English department at King Alfreds College in Winchester, England. He is well-known for his classic books The Christian Mind and On Christian Truth. His most recent book is The Post Christian Mind: Exposing Its Destructive Agenda (1999), also available from Regent College Publishing.
Book Description
Where to buy, when to buy, and how to buy.
Updated and revised, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Commercial Real Estate Investing, Third Edition, is a must-have reference book for aspiring commercial real estate investors/developers. What little coverage of residential income properties that existed in previous editions has been cut, and the remaining content has been updated to clearly reflect the focus on buying and selling commercial properties.
Customer Reviews:
Basic Concepts.......2006-09-06
There is useful information in this book, particularly for someone new to Real Estate or Development. Very basic, no complex concepts, but would recommend as a learning tool.
Book Description
More personal finance than home improvement, this book will teach readers the art of finding the right kinds of homes to purchase; how to determine what kinds of repairs will translate into high returns; how to work with contractors or subcontractors to get the work done; and how to sell properties for a profit.
Customer Reviews:
ACHIEVES ITS AIM - INTRODUCTION.......2006-02-12
This book achieves what it sets out to do: provide a simple introduction to the topic of real estate fixer-uppers and give the beginner a guidemap of a first deal.
It walks the potential investor through the main steps, from finding and choosing a house, to inspecting it, to purchasing it, to doing the basic fixes, to putting it in the market for sale. Being a "Complete Idiots Guide", one knows what to expect, and this book does exactly what it sets out to do. It is particularly useful in giving small tips that would likely only be known by someone with much experience that has fallen into many traps.
Book Description
If you are interested in home renovation, setting up a small business, or delving into commercial real estate development, this book will give you straight answers to the questions you need to ask. It explains the basics of real estate, how development deals work, how to research property, how to buy land, and how to check out the background of a potential partner. It is a comprehensive guide to the ins and outs of real estate investment.
Download Description
If you are interested in home renovation, setting up a small business, or delving into commercial real estate development, this book will give you straight answers to the questions you need to ask. It explains the basics of real estate, how development deals work, how to research property, how to buy land, and how to check out the background of a potential partner. It is a comprehensive guide to the ins and outs of real estate investment.
Customer Reviews:
NOT FOR THE BEGINNER (or IDIOT).......2005-05-05
I found this book to be too complicated and it seems more suitable for the advanced real estate investor. I have read other Idiot's guides and they have been basic enough and broken down with more examples to help someone who is starting out. The term "Idiot's Guide" is misleading for this book. I believe the author did not successfully keep the reader, in mind. The book should be called something like "The Advanced Guide For Real Estate Investing" I wish there was some regulation to keep it simple enough to be considered an "Idiot's Guide" . I am definitely disappointed with this one.
How did this book get published?.......2005-01-03
I bought this book recently and was so disappointed that I was compelled to write a review. I would not recommend this book to anyone. This book is so poorly written, I couldn't get past the first half. There were numerous misspellings, obvious grammar mistakes and an ongoing rambling by the author. I might have been able to get past the lack of English and grammar skills but this book was not helpful at all!
For example, when it talks about assembling your team and it refers to the broker, not once does the author explain what the broker is expected to do. When the author discusses title law, he explains in the book that he doesn't know about it but if the reader gets in contact with a lawyer experienced in title law, one should be able to find out the info. HUH? This guy didn't bother doing any research at all. He should have looked for that info himself and answered those questions for the reader. That is what I bought the book for - for answers, not some guy writing a book off the top of his head about his experiences and only his experiences in real estate investing.
Another annoying thing about this book is the author wrote it like it was a self-help book. I don't need someone telling me to follow my dreams and to keep going. I need the facts, the info, and the knowledge so I can accomplish what I want to do. I don't need a coach, I need a teacher and this guy definitely is not a teacher.
Well, I'm sorry I can't tell you what book you should buy because I still haven't found it myself. But, I can tell you to stay away from this one. Don't waste your money.
For Office & Retail Investors Only.......2003-05-03
I was looking for a book on residential real estate investment, especially something on apartment buildings and how to figure value, such as using gross rent multipliers. I was disappointed. I needed to know current tax law on capital gains and some info on exchanges. The word 1031 is not found in this book. I was glad to see LLCs were included, but the information was vague since it had to apply to all states. Be warned: This book deals only with office and retail real estate investment. You will not find any information on apartments or single family rentals. If that is your interest, you definitely need a different book.
Competent and Comprehensive.......2002-10-04
I enthusiastically recommend this book to anyone who needs a comprehensive understanding of the entire process of commercial investment and due diligence. It's a great reference whether you are acquiring, managing, or disposing of your asset.
Be sure that this is really the book for you........2001-08-30
It is entirely possible that this really is a great book, as some of the reviewers suggest. But it wasn't what I was looking for.
I am in the "study" stage of a plan to accumulate residential properties for income. I have read a few real estate books so far, and some of them have been very helpful.
This book, however, was not designed for me. This book seems more designed for people who are planning major investments in sizeable properties or commercial real estate. It also would be good for people interested in becoming developers. Despite the information presented about the book, this is not a book for someone who is starting out in the early stages of real estate investing in small residential properties for supplemental income. However, it might be good if you have a lot of money to get started and are planning a career switch towards commercial development or large properties. Since I'm not interested or able to do that, I am not qualified to advise you if that is what you need. But if you are like me, you may want to start with some other books, like the "Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing" or other books like it.
Book Description
What, where, and how to buy!
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Real Estate Investing Basics presents the practical advice and knowledge readers need to get started in the residential real estate market. Based on the knowledge of an established expert, this guide teaches readers how to find properties that have the greatest investment potential, make offers and negotiate deals, locate great tenants, and re- sell properties for maximum profit.
• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were an estimated 123.3 million housing units in the U.S. in the first quarter 2005
• Residential real estate is always on the move
• Baby boomers are growing older, and many look at real estate investing as a safe way to assure their current standard of living
Customer Reviews:
The complete idiots guide to real estate basics.......2007-08-13
This book would be a good book to read as your first real estate book for anyone starting out in real estate investment. The book is very informative, and provides a nice overview of all aspects of real estate. It would help the beginning investor become familiarized with what certain real estate terms mean. The book is very clear and easy to understand. A good book to have as a reference guide.
Book Description
Find the sound investments among the foreclosures. Covering both bank-owned and government-owned properties, this book focuses on helping buyers distinguish between good foreclosure investments and those plagued with liens and other pitfalls. Readers will learn about the benefits of buying foreclosures; foreclosure timeline and process; the different types of foreclosures; finding pre- foreclosed properties; important pre-purchase pitfalls; buying at an auction; and more.
• The national residential foreclosure rate rose to from 1 to 1.23% (of all mortgages) by the end of 2003—the biggest jump in 30 years
• Foreclosures are expected to increase as interest rates rise and monthly payments on short-term variable rate and interest-only loans begin to follow (Realty Times)
Customer Reviews:
CID Guide to Buying Foreclosures.......2007-05-06
Sunday, May 6, 2007
For a newbie, this is an excellent introduction. It shows you the way to proceed, if you're serious about trying. For the price, it is a bargin and should be kept as a reference. If you're like me, a yellow lighter can be quite helpfull. Well worth the price when you consider the large sums of money that can be involved.
Very Insightful.......2007-03-10
This is a very informative book. It doesn't mess around with a lot of fluff. I highly recomend it!
Provides solid information worthy of the Complete Idiot Guide series.......2007-01-22
I've always enjoyed the Complete Idiot Guide series. Why? Because it delivers the message down to earth. It takes highly complexed legal matters and shows you step by step on how to invest in foreclosures. If you want to make money in foreclosures or have wanted to invest in them, you need to read this book.
Matt
Illustrator for the Ultimate Foreclosure Kit (ISBN 0978834658)
READ ME FIRST - A comical and resourceful guide.......2006-11-13
This is a comical and resourceful guide to foreclosures, offering an easy to read handbook on how to invest in govt or bank foreclosed properties. Other titles that helped me about foreclosures -- Investing With out Losing: The Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Tax Lien and Tax Deed Auctions
Provides good information for getting started.......2006-11-07
Provides a large amount of information in a concise but easy-to-read format. Considering all of the nuances of buying foreclosures, from the legal considerations to the occupation stage, the author does a good job of capturing and conveying the essentials. The author also does a good job of communicating both public and private foreclosure opportunities, which is important in many states.
The author focuses primarily on 'investing in foreclosures' vs. 'buying a foreclosure for your primary residence.' Consider this when comparing to other books.
Could have used more specific information on where to look for foreclosure opportunities, but the book does mention that actively searching and networking is a key to the game.
Overall, a good, easy read with valuable information for anyone wishing to enhance their real estate expertise.
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