Too many meaningless metaphors.

Diversification has been described variously as "The only free lunch on Wall Street" and as "A hedge for ignorance". This book clearly takes the former view, and whilst I don't necessarily disagree, I'm afraid this book didn't impress me.

The introduction by Jim Crammer didn't help to establish a tone of serious, sober long-term planning, but the bigger problem is that so much of the verbage here just isn't all that relevent. The book spends a great deal of its length on long convoluted metaphores that leave one no clearer on what to do at the end. Suppose I accept that asset allocation *is* a bit like a house, and choosing a manager is a bit like the furniture - how exactly does that help me? And when it's not throwing useless methaphores at you, it's blinding you with pearls of wisdom like "Uncle Frank says - know what kind of person you are". Fine, but what exactly should be the allocation of bond vs equities vs metals Mr Darst? Of course Mr Darst might reply - "You have to figure it out for yourself based on the circumstances ya dummy". But I can't help feeling that message could have been delivered a very great deal more breifly, and without so much day-dreaming.

There are several good pieces of advice in here - firstly diversification is *not* just going long ten different equities in the same sector. Second, "you are less rational than you think you are": and "consider your time horizon". There - I've just saved you the price of the book.

Sean Pratt's narration will be familiar to anyone familiar with the "Little Books" series, and you'll have already decided if you like it or not. I find it perfectly acceptable.

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