Aftermath: Seven Secrets of Wealth Preservation in the Coming Chaos

This is Jim Rickards final - and probably the best - of his quartet series. It contains his assessment of current capital market concerns, and the resulting storm he suspects will unfold. I hope he’s wrong - but I think he’s probably right.In all of Rickards books you’ll find detailed explanations on complex financial matters. I particularly appreciate his insights on relative geopolitical elements - and he’s bluntly factual when assessing the financial impact of politics in our divided nation. Like David and the slingshot, Rickards doesn’t mind popping giants right between the eyes, regardless of their political party or elite world status.In this book I found it helpful to read the conclusion chapter first, getting a sense of where he might be going with the “Aftermath” theme. “Mandibles Redux” in that chapter was appreciated by this reader; Rickards is a better writer than Lionel Shriver, in my opinion.If I had not already digested the three earlier books, I wouldn’t have gotten the full value of this book. If you’ve not read them, I recommend you at least read his “Currency Wars” and “The Death of Money” before this one... please keep in mind the year each was written, tho. “The Case for Gold” is the other quartet book.Mr. Rickards’ investment advice in this book is general, cautious and intended to be beneficial to the reader - he seems to have written it in such a way as to ensure you will not over-react; its not “ alarmist.” Rickards wisely points the reader in a clear, helpful direction, encouraging you to make a few simple changes so the storm doesn’t hurt you as badly as it potentially could. He wants the reader to understand the forces in play right now that could crumble capital markets. Knowledge is power.

In 2019 we are in the depths of the longest economic expansion in US history, stocks are at all time highs, investors are funneling money into the market as if positive returns are a sure thing. It should be no secret that investors have been consumed by euphoria and the Fed is on standby ready to feed the fire. Despite the current economic expansion being the longest in history, it has been an expansion of disappointing growth and a loss of prosperity for the average American.In this book, Rickard's shines a light on the structural issues facing the US economy, and he does so in an eloquent, easy to read fashion. I have been an avid reader of Rickard's work since the release of his first book, and I'm quite pleased to add Aftermath to my bookshelf.

12-7-2019 I HAVE READ ALL OF JAMES RICKARDS BOOKS. THIS LAST ONE WHICH I HAVE JUST FINISHED READING, "AFTERMATH" IS THE BEST OF ALL. RICKARDS DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB OF EXPLAINING WHAT HAS HAPPENED, ESPECIALLY AS REGARDS TO THE CRASH OF 2008, AND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE ECONOMY TODAY, 12-2019, AND WHAT IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN ECONOMICALLY TO THE COUNTRY AND WORLD IN 2020 AND OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. THIS BOOK IS DEFINATELY NOT A "DOOM AND GLOOM" BOOK. IT IS A REALISTIC ASSESSMENT OF WHERE WE HAVE BEEN ECONOMICALLY AND WHERE WE ARE HEADED. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE AVERAGE PERSON CAN DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. IF YOU ARE RICH I SUPPOSE YOU CAN BUY GOLD, TREASURY BONDS, ETC. BUT FOR THE AVERAGE NON-ELITE - THERE ISN'T MUCH YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF OTHER THAN GET OUT OF DEBT AND STAY OUT OF DEBT. IN THAT REGARD, FOR THE "LITTLE PEOPLE" DAVE RAMSEY OFFERS BETTER ADVICE THAN JAMES RICKARDS BOOK "AFTERMATH." BUT IT IS TRUE THAT "OPPORTUNITY FAVORS THE PREPARED." IN THIS REGARDS, AFTERMATH DOES A GREAT JOB IN GETTING YOU PREPARED FOR WHAT IS MOST CERTAINLY GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMY. IT'S BETTER TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING THAN TO PUT YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND. ONE THING FOR SURE, RICKARDS BOOK DEFINATELY SHOWS YOU HOW THE ELITE OF THIS COUNTRY, THE SUPER RICH AND THE POLITICAL CLASS DON'T GIVE A DAMM ABOUT THE ORDINARY WORKING MAN IN THIS COUNTRY, AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL SYSTEM IS A LIE AND RIGGED AGAINST THE COMMON PERSON; THAT TO VOTE IS A WASTE OF TIME, THAT THE "AMERICAN DREAM" IS A FRAUD THAT THE ELITE WANT YOU TO PERSUE BY GOING INTO A LIFE-TIME OF DEBT AND PEONAGE TO THE BANKERS OF THIS WORLD. 90% OF THE BOOK IS AN EYE OPENER ON HOW THE AMERICAN WORKING CLASS IS BEING SWINDLED BY THE ELITE, THE SUPER RICH, THE BANKERS AND THE GOVERNMENT. THE LAST FEW CHAPTERS DEAL WITH "WEALTH PRESERVATION" WHICH DOESN'T REALLY APPLY TO THE 99%. AT ANY RATE, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED IF YOU BUY THIS BOOK BECAUSE IT IS A REAL EDUCATION INTO THE REALITY OF WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING ECONOMICALLY TO THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN THIS ONCE GREAT COUNTRY.

I found the book interesting and easy to read. It gives some interesting details about geopolitical economics, such as identifying the evidence that China is running a Ponzi Scheme. Of course, the Fed is running a Ponzi as well, but China is more secretive about it. How the clash between two Ponzis will someday turn out, no one can predict.The theme of this book is to be prepared for numerous alternate economic eventualities, without being too specific about which will materialize. As for predictions, it is relatively easy to make certain economic predictions; the hard part is identifying WHEN such events will occur. The book does not do much predicting of WHEN, which is to its credit.What I disliked the most was the book's overuse of metaphors.

I've read several books written by Mr Richards and I must say that this one seems to be the most technical. Lots of terms to learn and remember. But that's why I like his writing.

This is an interesting book to read. I like how the author intertwines his personal stories into something complicated that he is trying to explain. I liked the first two chapters but then struggled a bit in the chapter where MMT is explained and there are a lot of references to related work. In my opinion, there book became a bit academic. But otherwise, mostly it is a good read, especially for a layman. Though I am not able to decide that is this book better than currency war.

Written to inform with an academic analysis of Economics, Finance, Psychology, and History in such a way the common man can understand, relate, learn from, and apply. More importantly, Rickards offers not just an academic perspective but also applies his models from his significant financial experiences. What adds to my fascination is how his academic theory and professional financial work are coupled with his unique direct experiences applying his financial knowledge within the CIA.... he has private privileged information ;)Very few times did I get bord of reading Aftermath, and I love how he summarizes big picture ideas at the end of chapters ensuring readers don't miss salient points. I'll be reading his new book out in 2021.BTW... here is a barometer of how good his books are, none are in my public library. Nobody wants to give his books up.

Revealation of upcoming debt crisis which is almost very soon , the more they delay more horrific the crisis will be!Good ways to preserve wealth is there.....read this out.

Mr. Rickards does it again. He takes the reader on a colourful illustrated journey through the interconnected web of International economics, gently pointing out the alligator pits as he goes. Superbly referenced, sardonic, pragmatic. Whilst he cannot cover every aspect, every theory, he does a great job of opening eyes to risk and opportunity.

interessant, aber langatmig, der Autor hätte sich mehr Zeit nehmen sollen, sich kurz zu fassen, das erste Kapitel beschreibt auf über 50 Seiten, was für ein toller Hecht der Autor ist und wie viele wichtige Leute er kennt. Und selbstverständlich ja , langfristig betrachtet wird die Welt untergehen.

- There is no help/advice for wealth preservation in this book.- He loves to talk about himself and all his influential friends.- It his a historical book from old economic past events. (useless and painful to read)- Fear monger and political propaganda author.