Adventure Capitalist: The Ultimate Investor's Road Trip

Adventure Capitalist is an entertaining book on Jim Rogers' second trip around the world. Jim is a former Wall Streeter who made a bunch of money in the market and now does what he wants.I think the book has three sides to it:1. Regular travel writing - he tells us about being scared, happy, worried, touched, etc. while visiting strange and interesting places. From this portion of the book I picked up a couple of places I would definitely like to see, such as Timbuktu (yes, it does exist and he went there).2. Investment analysis and advice - he goes around looking for investment opportunities around the world and, whenever he sees something he likes, tries to put some money in it. Examples (sucessful and otherwise) include contraceptives in Korea, diamonds in Angola, among others.3. Economic and political prophecy - as an economist myself, I find that he has read the first chapter of the econ book and decided he knew enough about it. Though he is often correct in his analysis, at certain points he makes wild predictions that could not be swallowed by a good economist. He also exercises some political prophecy - he thinks most of the countries he visited are going to split up, among them India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Indonesia, most of Africa, etc. Though he is right that many countries face internal tensions among racial and social groups, he is too simplistic in stating that so many will break up.Overall, this is a book to pick up if you are looking for a nice quick read. I also suggest it as a fun way to learn to spot investment opportunities. I think Jim is a great investor and he shows us why in this book; he also shows us the mediocre political scientist he is, but that is another story. Fun, fast, and not to be taken too seriously.

Following up the success with Investment Biker, Jim Rogers tours the world again. While touring, Rogers is on a constant search for good investment opportunities, based on the credo: buy when there is blood in the streets, sell when the shoeshine boy asks for investment tips. Besides looking for investment opportunities, Rogers is trying to judge how countries around the world are run economically.The lion's share of the book is dedicated to developing countries, which is sensible given that these countries rarely get much attention in the press (as long as floods, earthquakes or wars stay away). One common observation across developing countries all over the world is the NGO-bureaucrats, living like kings in foreign countries. Backed by their own governments money, driving around in their 4WHs to tell the local people how stupid they are. This is a recurring point throughout the book, a point he makes really well. Rogers' anger towards the whole developing aid industry, which ruins the business for local entrepreneurs and destroys the knowledge of farming, is very visible.So what about the investment opportunities? Rogers is clearly disappointed, closing as many accounts as he opens. He endorses the capitalist spirit of China (the president understands exchange derivatives!), and finds some good places in Africa. A running theme is to look at a countries demographics to forecast its future. Government bureaucrats are getting on his nerves everywhere, however, especially in the border controls.But Adventure Capitalist is a good read, and excellent for airports and the like. Easy available to all readers, particularly to those with the slightest of interest in economics or finance.

Wow!Maybe I'm not as smart as the reviewer who preceded me.I picked up A.C. on the way to Australia. I read it at light speed. To say this book is an eye opener is an understatement. I travel a lot...but not this much! ...no one does!I learned a great deal following the Jim, Paige, videographer and car around the world. I confess there is much of their journey I would never have had the guts to undertake and thus was impressed by some of their choices of travel.Here's some of what you are going to pick up:1) You're going to find out what countries to put a few shekels into and which one's not to. (There are a lot more to NOT.)2) You're going to get an excellent idea of where you want to visit on your next non-5-star trip out of the country.3) You're going to find out that Vancouver B.C. is overall one of the finest cities in the world. (I can't think of a better one myself.)4) Some darn good arguments for unrestricted free trade and open borders.5) Solid challenges to your way of looking at the political messes of virtually every nation on the planet and a few ideas on what could make things better.6) Lots of ways to save your hard earned money.7) The fact that there are precious few powerhouse opportunities right now.Of some interest, Jim notes he was told you can't buy a house in Australia if you don't live there. That's what I was told by some cab drivers, realtors and university prof's. Others told me the exact opposite and a few noted that you can't buy but you can build. Go figure. This is truly a bizarre phenomenon. Whatever the deal is, don't cut the check until you know the answer.This book was a lot of fun. Thoroughly enjoyable and a lesson in looking at the world and the USA that sometimes is a bit stern.Loved it.Kevin HoganAuthor of The Psychology of Persuasion[...]

This book covers Rogers’s millennium car trip around the world. He tells the tale with an interesting mix of travel dialog, pictures, thoughts on local politics, and investment prospects. The first three are what you would expect of any travel diary, the last point is unique to Jim. Part of the recounting of this tale involves the comparison with his previous trip around the world when he went by motorcycle in the late 80s.The journey started in Iceland in 1999 and took around 2 years to finish. The end point was his NY home (where lived at the time). During this time his wife planned their wedding, they organized dozens of visas, had guns pointed at them, exchanged money on the black markets of the world, moved their car by train and by boat, and the unfortunate death of his father.If you are already a fan of his writing or speeches then this is probably the most enjoyable book he has on offer. If a travel book with investment insight appeals then you’d enjoy it too. It won’t appeal if you have a love of NGOs, bureaucracy, red tape, and paperwork. He blasts them all and often too.This has inspired me to see more of the world but I’m a long way from being able to afford it!

A very unique and insightful look at the world through the eyes of a fearless investor and adventurer.At times touching, inspiring, and humbling, but always stimulating and interesting. His insights and extraordinary experiences with his courageous wife were fascinating. Very good read!

Really interesting book with a different take on traveling the world, I also liked it a lot because he showed how different each area of the world was in regards to finance and how things ran back in the day. This was before the internet became widespread and you could book things on the fly and lonelyplanet's books didn't really cover much at all.

Worth reading. Nice book for the adventurer

For investors, would be travellers, or those studying the school of life and logic this is a must read.