Profiles of some of America's richest people and how they got that way--and how you can too!While we can't promise that this book will elevate you to the ranks of the super-rich, we can say that within its pages you'll discover everything you need to know about how, exactly, many of America's most famous (and infamous) millionaires and billionaires acquired their fortunes. The big surprise is that all of the super-wealthy it profiles got where they are today by taking one of just ten possible roads--including starting a business, buying real estate, investing wisely, and marrying extremely well. Whether you aspire to shameful wealth or just a demure fortune, bestselling author and self-made billionaire, Ken Fisher, will show you how to walk in the footsteps of tycoons--all the way to the financial success you dream of and deserve.* Packed with amusing anecdotes of individuals who have traveled (or tumbled) down each road to wealth* Extracts valuable lessons on how you, too, can achieve serious wealth, and, just as importantly, hold onto it* Provides powerful tools for determining what you need to do to position yourself for success and "Guideposts" and "Warning Signs" to help keep you safely on your road to success* Second Edition features more profiles and instructive examples than were found in the bestselling first edition
Packed with anecdotes of individuals who have traveled down each road to wealth, this book extracts useful lessons on how you, too, can achieve wealth, and hold onto it. It provides tools for determining what you need to do to position yourself for success and "Guideposts" and "Warning Signs" to help keep you safely on your road to success.
Preface: Now, More Than Ever ixAcknowledgments xxiiiAbout the Authors xxviiChapter 1 The Richest Road 1Picking a Path 3Newer or Better? 4Built to Sell or Built to Last? 6Bootstrap or Finance? 10Public or Private? 11The Big Bull's-Eye 13Founders Are Quitters--Just Do It 17Chapter 2 Pardon Me, That's My Throne 23Gray Hair and Dues-Paying 24A CEO-volution (Through My Father's Eyes) 25How to Lead 33How to Get the Job 34Aim Small . . . at First 36The Big Payday 37CEOs and Superheroes 40The Best Part 43Executive Education 43Chapter 3 Along for the Ride: Ride-Alongs 47Why Ride Along? 48Pick the Right Firm 50Be the Right Guy 55Ride-Along Reading 59Chapter 4 Rich . . . and Famous 61The Talent Show 63Potholes Ahead No One Sees! 67Mogul Meandering 72Read Your Way to Fame 78Chapter 5 Marry Well. Really Well 81How to Marry a Millionaire Billionaire 83Like a Fine Wine--Well Maintained 90Men Can Play, Too! 93Love, Marriage, and Money 96Do It by the Book 97Chapter 6 Steal It--Like a Pirate, but Legally 99Crusader or Pirate? 100Raider's Road 101The Richest Legal Road 103Tort Us and the Scare 104Target Practice 112When a Pirate Becomes a Villain 115The Inside Track 117Chapter 7 OPM--Not Opium: Where Most of the Richest Are 121Basic OPM Career Rules 122Steps to OPM Wealth 124Hedge Your Bets 130Private Equity's Big Bucks 135Don't Break the Law 137Love Capitalism, Not Social Acceptance 142Chapter 8 Inventing Income 145The True Inventors 146Writing for Dollars 148Political Pensions--and Good News 153If You Can't Be President . . . 155Think Tanks Run Amok--a Sham-Scam 159Monetized Reading 161Chapter 9 Trumping the Land Barons 165The Magic 166Monetize It 166The Fool's Bargain 169Flippin's for Friggin' Losers 171Getting Started 172Buy, Build, or Both? 175Where to Be and Not to Be; That Is the Question 177Baron Books 181Chapter 10 The Road More Traveled 183Income Matters 184Saving Grace 186Get a Good Rate of Return (Buy Stocks) 191The Right Strategy 194Bonds Are Riskier Than Stocks--Seriously 202Like Hetty? 205Reading for Dollars 206Notes 209Index 227