A Woman's Guide to Savvy Investing

This is a welcome addition to the overcrowded shelves of personal finance books directed at women. The book is not a primer; it covers investments, not basic budgeting or credit tips. Bertrand, a former portfolio manager, walks readers through the reasons women need to be knowledgeable about their investments--high divorce rates, longer lives, smaller pensions, etc. She then explains the kinds of investments available, including the risks and rewards of each and how to manage them, with or without the help of a financial adviser. Bertrand focuses on providing practical help; her sections on working with planners and using investment newsletters and the disadvantages of investment clubs are particularly strong. An interesting feature of the book is each chapter ending, which includes a page or so of advice from female financial planners, brokers and other experts, including Leah Zell of Acorn Management and credit guru Geri Detweiler. Perhaps the weakest part of the book is the lack of attention paid to the Internet; there are only a few paragraphs on Internet scams, while there are several chapters on more advanced trading strategies such as REITs (Real Estate Investment Trust) and puts and calls. A list of resources such as Websites or newsletters would also have been helpful. Still, this is one of the more lively and accessible books in the personal finance category. (Oct.)