Financial Times Guide to the Financial Markets (The FT Guides)

First, I have two disclaimers:1) Due to demands of professional education I have set this volume aside, unfinished, for the time being.2) My expertise is somewhat limited. I am not a financial professional, though I aspire to be one in the next few years.BL: This is an outstanding book -- written from by an insider, with an insider's point of view -- on the finance industry. This work appears comprehensive, with the informational girth of a textbook and the readability of occasional literature.The perspective and voice of the author are what separates this work from a being droll textbook and a worthwhile educational work. Glen Arnold has done a great job of lifting the veil on what is otherwise condsidered to be the arcane workings of the finance industry, going so far as to shed light on the banking industry's role in the global financial crisis.I look forward to finishing this book as soon as I am able.///UPDATE///I've just completed the book and have upgraded the rating from 4 to 5 stars. The last chapter sealed the deal for me; it details the mechanics and insider failings that created the financial crisis of 2007/08. My advice is to read the last chapter first. Novice readers will be taken aback by some of the jargon as they do this, but will have a greater understanding and appreciation for the totality of the material as they make their way through the book. Expect several "ah-haaaa" moments. After reading the entire book, finish as you normally would with the last chapter.I'm happy to have read this book from cover to cover (admittedly skipped portions of the FOREX chapter and a page or two on European reguation) and, though I lack the practical experience to cement the information into place permanently, I feel vastly more informed about the deapth and breadth of the financial industry and its myriad instruments.

Thought it was going to be very dry - you do have to pay attention, but I would say it can be understood by any audience.

It's a nice book on the topic.It's very deep in each market and well written.

ok nook

Excellent text on the contemporary financial market that's easy to read and understand. Particularly like the news clips on interesting and emerging trends and issues.

Great book, I am a lecturer in Financial Services and my students often ask for a recommended book to give them a good overview of the industry. This is the book I always suggest.It is very approachable and has no assumed prior knowledge. Having said that it still manages to build each topic to a reasonable level.

Excellent book. Sometimes too basic, but a must read if you want to understand the Financial Markets. I really liked the author's style and will probably be reading other books he wrote. Highly recommended.

a very useful book for a finance degree excellent value for money and is just what was needed to help with exams

classic

just what I needed