Investing for Dummies by Eric Tyson (2008, Paperback)

I was looking for a book that would give me an overview of how to invest money, including different investment vehicles and the legal information that go along with investing.

I learned a great deal about mutual funds and about as much as I could have hoped for about individual stock investing.

I did, however, learn about some other terrific investing vehicles such as small business and real estate. I learned a lot about real estate investments and how great the returns can be (but also the risks involved).

Mr. Tyson seems fairly balanced; he certainly did not seem biased towards doing anything risky (without informing you of the risks) and wants to protect those who expose themselves to investments. I think his approach was actually probably about as balanced as you could get since he provides so many different ways to invest and doesn't just promote one kind or another. He is pretty honest about when you can do things on your own and when you'll need to pay (even if it's not cheap) for help, which I very much like.

Overall, a terrific book for people just beginning to invest and who want to learn about a great deal of investing options and where to go for help.