Chronicles a candidate's run for Congress (he loses). Written in the style of an experienced candidate advising a potential candidate. It helps if you are familiar with San Diego politics, but it is not a prerequisite. This book is written from the author's left-wing perspective so take what he says about republicans with a grain of salt. Emphasizes the difficulty of running against an incumbant.

This is the best book I've ever read on the topic of interpretations on macro economic factors that drive the market. Many books and textbooks are cut and dry, and in the end they are theories. An example would be: an economic report may come out, but the market is responding in the exact opposite way based on standard economic theory, however the understanding of why the market is reacting in that way requires the correct interpretation based on economic(business) cycles and such. The theories may be correct, however it also depends on other factors as well. The author emphasizes the markets as a chess board rather than a simple checkboard. I for one agree.

This book was a very unexpected pleasure. I thought that I would get just a book to help me with my stock market trading. But this book has also helped me sort out all of the various affects of the terrorist attack and subsequent war in Afghanistan on the economy as well. It's a whole new way of thinking about the world. As a long time investor and business executive, I've found that If It's Raining in Brazil, Buy Starbucks useful on two counts. Read it and prosper.

This book is unlike any investment book I've read. It finally explains in quite clear terms how broader events -- what the author calls "macrowaves" -- move the stock market. I'm finding this kind of perspective very helpful in understanding the dramatic fall in the stock market (particularly the NASDAQ) over the last year and half. It should be very helpful in my portfolio planning -- and protecting my assets. I highly recommend it.