More than two years ago, the book The Big Investment Lie, what Your Financial Advisor Doesn’t Want You to Know by investment expert Michael Edesess was released by Berrett-Koehler, an independent publisher based in San Francisco. Before the first glimpses of the global financial crisis was on most people’s radar screens, this book showed how the investment industry was operating: using manipulative statistics to sell their investment products; not being able to beat market averages consistently; and more specifically by being built on fraud. Now more than two years later, and trillions of dollars lost by working Americans, retirees and investors worldwide, Edesess’ story, while late for many, is still worth reading. Not only to understand better what has happened with your savings and investments, but more importantly how you can deal with your money in the future and how to get a good return without relying on advisors.

We gladly recommend this book and also would like to draw your attention to the unique nature of its publisher, Berrett-Koehler, which has an ambitious mission: Creating a world that works for all. BK seeks to publish books that support this mission on an individual (i.e. personal development), organizational (i.e. progressive leadership and social responsible business approaches) and societal (i.e. social and economic justice and sustainability) level. Edesses’ The Big Investment Lie is one example, but there are many other fascinating books by influential authors, such as Jared Bernstein, Fritjof Capra, Duane Elgin, Jim Garrison, Hazel Henderson, Joseph Jaworski, David Korten, Ervin Laszlo, Jacob Needleman, John Perkins, John Renesh, Peter Senge, and others.

Cosimo not only has some of those authors in common with BK, but also sympathizes with BK’s mission. That’s why we would like to draw your attention to a summer sale offered by Berrett-Koehler: by going to the BK Web site and going to the”Summer Sale e-Coupon” that appears at the top of their home page you will receive a 20% discount on their books, and will start the fall season refreshed and knowledgeable.