Learn to Earn：A Beginner's Guide to the Basics of Investing and Business

Mutual-fundsuperstarPeterLynchandauthorJohnRothchildexplainthebasicprinciplesofinvestingandbusinessinaprimerthatwillenlightenandentertainanyonewhoishigh-schoolageorolder.Manyinvestors,includingsomewithsubstantialportfolios,haveonlythesketchiestideaofhowthestockmarketworks.Thereason,sayLynchandRothchild,isthatthebasicsofinvesting--thefundamentalsofoureconomicsystemandwhattheyhavetodowiththestockmarket--aren'ttaughtinschool.Atatimewhenindividualshavetomakeimportantdecisionsaboutsavingforcollegeand401(k)retirementfunds,thisfailuretoprovideabasiceducationininvestingcanhavetragicconsequences.Forthosewhoknowwhattolookfor,investmentopportunitiesareeverywhere.Theaveragehigh-schoolstudentisfamiliarwithNike,Reebok,McDonald's,theGap,andtheBodyShop.NearlyeveryteenagerinAmericadrinksCokeorPepsi,butonlyaveryfewownsharesineithercompanyorevenunderstandhowtobuythem.EverystudentstudiesAmericanhistory,butfewrealizethatourcountrywassettledbyEuropeancolonistsfinancedbypubliccompaniesinEnglandandHolland--andthebasicprinciplesbehindpubliccompanieshaven'tchangedinmorethan300years.InLearntoEarn,LynchandRothchildexplaininastyleaccessibletoanyonewhoishigh-schoolageorolderhowtoreadastocktableinthedailynewspaper,howtounderstandacompanyannualreport,andwhyeveryoneshouldpayattentiontothestockmarket.Theyexplainnotonlyhowtoinvest,butalsohowtothinklikeaninvestor.