The Alchemy of Finance

By: George Soros

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

George Soros is unquestionably the most powerful and profitable investor in the world today. Dubbed by BusinessWeek as "The Man Who Moves the Markets," Soros has made a billion dollars going up against the British pound. Now, in The Alchemy of Finance, he shares the investment strategies he uses to read the mind of the market.©1987, 1994 by George Soros (P)2000 by Penton Overseas, Inc. Published by Penton Overseas, Inc. and Audio Scholar, Inc.

Critic reviews

"An extraordinary...inside look into the decision-making process of the most successful money manager of our time. Fantastic." (Wall Street Journal)
"Breathtakingly brilliant." (Esquire)

Great, but abridged

Like what the heck, Audible? Why isn’t this flagged as abridged? And where is the full version?

Excellent Philosophical Wisdoms

I’ve enjoyed it fully. It’s short but it’s full of good wisdoms on financial economy.

Profound concept made quite real

Would you consider the audio edition of The Alchemy of Finance to be better than the print version?

I am not sure. On one hand, it allowed me the flexibility of listening to it during my commute. On the other hand, it was difficult to go over a specific concept multiple times. Also in some places, a graphic might have helped. I am not sure if the print version has any.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Alchemy of Finance?

Soros talks about the trade on pound.

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

The voice was not too robotic and there were good inflections at suitable points.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. Too many concepts to digest all at once.

Any additional comments?

Chapter management could be better if 'Audible' stated titles of chapters instead of chapter 1,2,3 etc.

Surprised

I was surprised by the books balance of confidence, humility, and philosophical objectivity. The idea that participants and their biases impact on the market and the market’s impact on the participants. Difficult to follow because of the philosophical depths taken to come to his conclusions. The big takeaway for me is that an approach to markets is best served by admitting limitations of any approach which allows for changing ones approach when the market changes.

The law of sowing and reaping...

I read this book with an open mind and a hope to justifying why I don't like George Soros. Instead I have a greater understanding of the man and his hopes. He is a man who has accomplished much and am thankful to get to know more about him and his thoughts and possible motivations.

insightful work

Would you consider the audio edition of The Alchemy of Finance to be better than the print version?

no

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Alchemy of Finance?

Soros' theory that the markets help determine their own fates is well argued.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Grover Gardner?

why not?

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Market anticipation of a future event may become self-defeating prophecy.

Any additional comments?

Alchemy of Finance should be read by anyone interested in economics or financial markets.

Intriguing and Captivating!

I knew going in that just the combination of title and author, paired with my already sophisticated knowledge-base & open mind, made the odds of grabbing value from the book nearly 100%.

However I was endeared by the frank and articulate nature of the narrative. I am grateful to be privy too the heart and mind of such a prolific and dynamic human being.
I only recently realized Mr. Soros had authored so many books. And as a recent energy science enthusiast, being as always skeptical of the mass media’s portrayal of Soros, and having actually resonated with his positions in the few interviews I’d seen, I was eager to glean something from at least some of his perspectives.
But what I expected to be mostly finance and analysis was so seamlessly interwoven with a deep and honorably objective compression of duality, and cause and effect

I would personally appreciate the opportunity to thank the offer here and now for not only sharing valuable insights into financial markets and structure, but also into practical reality and the human condition. I’m definitely going to give it a second go around at least.

interestingly unique point of view

this is kind of abstract, but I love abstract and I love how short it is. This is the perfect type of book that is best written short, but most authors would still figure out how to ruin it by just going on and on and on forever with the tiny details.

Expected more

Decent high level review of his Theory of Reflexivity, but not much beyond that. I expected to get more insight into the details of his approach to decision making. He's an interesting fellow who has had incredible financial success and he is trying to improve the world around us, but I felt that I wasted the time I spent listening to this book.

Interesting theory but poor substance

I would have preferred more examples and application. Soros did not support his critique of social structures he disdains.