How to Buy Bonds the Smart Way

Littauer (How To Buy Mutual Funds the Smart Way, Montebello Pr., 1992), the former vice president of firms such as E.F. Hutton, offers extremely competent but dull information and advice on different types of debt instruments, including U.S. Treasury securities and how to purchase them. The dense writing could occasionally benefit from expanded explanations, because Littauer makes no concessions for the less sophisticated investor. One risk-averse approach is to buy bond funds, and for a substantial portion of the book Littauer recommends them, giving information on their expenses, return, and investment goals and policies. His bibliography, though not comprehensive, annotates sources most likely to be found in libraries. The book is recommended for financial collections serving well-heeled or well-informed investors.-Sue McKimm, Cuyahoga Cty. P.L., Parma, Ohio