Enough: True Measures of Money, Business, and Life

Written by John C. Bogle

Narrated by Alan Sklar

For a critical element of American society, including many of its wealthiest and most powerful, there seems to be no limit today on what "enough" entails.

The excesses are most starkly visible in the continuing crisis in banking and investment, and even in the two enormous government-sponsored (but publicly owned) mortgage lenders, to say nothing of the billion-dollar-plus annual paychecks that top hedge-fund managers draw down and the excessive compensation paid to CEOs, regardless of  performance.

Throughout his legendary career, John Bogle—founder of the Vanguard mutual fund group, and creator of the first index mutual fund—has helped investors build wealth the right way and led a tireless campaign to restore common sense to the investment world. Along the way, he’s seen how destructive an obsession with financial success can be. Now, with Enough, he puts this dilemma in perspective.

Bogle offers his unparalleled insights on money, on the values we should emulate in our business and professional callings, and on what we should consider as the true treasures in our lives. By explaining what "enough" truly is, he demonstrates how close everyone can be to having it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Highbridge Company
• Release date: Dec 3, 2008
• ISBN: 9781598878585

John C. Bogle

John C. Bogle is founder of The Vanguard Group, Inc. and president of the Bogle Financial Markets Research Center. He created Vanguard, one of the two largest mutual-fund organizations in the world, in 1974 and served as Chairman and CEO until 1996 and Senior Chairman until 2000. Designated by Fortune magazine as one of the investment industry’s four “Giants of the 20th Century,” in 2004 he was awarded the Woodrow Wilson Award from Princeton University, his alma mater, for distinguished achievement in the nation’s service. That same year Time magazine named Mr. Bogle one of the world’s 100 most powerful and influential people.

Reviews for Enough

[deldevries · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The crusty old man of Vanguard lays it on the line. Interesting that this book was published in the midst of the meltdown.

[jaynair_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Written by the celebrated founder of The Vanguard Group who is probably the most respected name in the world of investment today, this is an inspiring book that sets us thinking hard about what our goals really should be in life - are we, as individuals, businesses and nations going after the right things; do we know when we have enough; when do we stop our relentless pursuits? This book explains what is fundamentally wrong with our approach towards progress; what got the world into the crisis it is in today.

[sundaraz_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book. Bogle doesn't lose any opportunity to emphasize the need for simplicity in investing, and how costs reduce returns dramatically, when compounded. If someone were to do a value stream mapping of investing, like they do in Lean, it would be pretty obvious how much the financial intermediaries, 'croupies' as he calls them, take value out of the process/returns, and how little they add to it. Most of the ideas are there in his previous books and interviews, but he puts them nicely in the context of "enough" in this book. Good read."

[2wondery_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Now that he's got his MoreThanEnough, several times over, he wants others to find a moral compass and be satisfied with less. Please!

[mpolino_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed John Bogle's take on investing vs. speculating. As a founder of Vanguard and the index fund he's seen it all. In Enough he doesn't waste words or mince them.

[jpsnow · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

What is most inspiring about this book is John Bogle's personal example. He has lived the life he espouses, and continues to do so. Through a variety of personal anecdotes and observations about modern times, he explains why we need to return to the basic values of character and thrift. He applies this message to investing, but the book is more social commentary than financial advice. What he does say about investing is exemplified in the approach Vanguard uses. Having studied the economics of personal finance early in his career, Bogle built Vanguard on the principle that investors can't expect to beat the market, especially while paying multiple "croupiers" along the way. The sensible approach is to invest indexes, using the lowest cost means possible. I still hold that someone needs to look for better returns at some point. A poorly managed company will eventually fail and it would be prudent to exit such an investment once that writing is on the wall. Overall, I enjoyed this book for its simple message.

[burningskulls_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a good introduction to the Bogle philosophy, but if you are familiar with it already, it gets a little long-winded and preachy.

[Rodion Mark · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Truly such a great book. Love how John Bogle shares his ideas. Love how the focus is back to the customer. Even though it is such a great firm but stays true to the humble beginnings of putting its customers first.