Wealth, War and Wisdom

An intriguing look at how past market wisdom can help you survive and thrive during uncertain times
In Wealth, War & Wisdom, legendary Wall Street investor Barton Biggs reveals how the turning points of World War II intersected with market performance, and shows how these lessons can help the twenty-first-century investor comprehend our own perilous times as well as choose the best strategies for the modern market economy.
Through these pages, Biggs skillfully discusses the performance of equities in both victorious and defeated countries, examines how individuals preserved their wealth despite the ongoing battles, and explores whether or not public equities were able to increase in value and serve as a wealth preserver. Biggs also looks at how other assets, including real estate and gold, fared during this dynamic and devastating period, and offers valuable insights on preserving one's wealth for future generations. With clear, concise prose, Biggs

• Reveals how the investment insights of truly trying times can be profitably applied to modern day investment endeavors
• Follows the performance of global markets against the backdrop of World War II
• Offers many relevant lessons-about life, politics, financial markets, wealth, and survival-that can help you thrive in the face of adversity

Wealth, War & Wisdom contains essential insights that will help you navigate modern financial markets during the uncertain times that will increasingly define this new century.


BARTON BIGGS spent thirty years at Morgan Stanley. In that time, he formed the firm's number one-ranked research department, was chairman of the investment management firm, and then became the firm's leading global strategist. He was often ranked as the number-one U.S. investment strategist by the Institutional Investor magazine poll and then, from 1996 to 2003, as the top global strategist. In 2003, Biggs left Morgan Stanley and, with two other colleagues, formed Traxis Partners. Traxis now has well over a billion dollars under its management. Biggs's previous book, Hedgehogging, is an international success.