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John Bogle Reading List: 5 Books by the Father of Index Funds

Vanguard founder John C. Bogle , who changed investing forever for ordinary Americans, wrote a dozen books over his lifetime, selling over 1.1 million copies worldwide.

“I don’t think there’s an author who spent greater care on the words he chose,” an editor who worked with Bogle told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “When he did a book, he was so meticulous; he’d rewrite and rewrite. He always went the extra mile to make there wasn’t a single person who could not understand what he was saying.”

"Saint Jack," as he was referred to by many, made it his mission to educate people about the benefits of index funds and not paying high fees to mutual fund managers. These are some of the best books he authored.

Investopedia / Hugo Lin

1. Common Sense on Mutual Funds: New Imperatives for the Intelligent Investor

The first edition of this classic was published in 1999, but Bogle wrote a completely updated second edition a decade later to help investors understand mutual funds and how his simple and low cost investing strategy can be used to outperform stock pickers.

Don Phillips, managing director and president of fund research at Morningstar, said: "it may well be the best book ever on mutual funds." Among the other countless fans of this book Jim Cramer and Byron Wien. Michael Batnick, director of research at Ritholtz Wealth Management, included it in his list of the best investment books.

2. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns

This 304-page hardcover book is one of Wiley Publishing's Little Book investing series and has proved to be an incredibly popular tool for investors. In this investing bible, Bogle presents his ideas succinctly for the layman.

Warren Buffett advised in his 2014 letter to shareholders that rather than listen to "siren songs" of advisors, "investors – large and small – should instead read Jack Bogle’s The Little Book of Common Sense Investing ."

Bogle said even he needed to be reminded of his own advice in trying times. “How do I feel when the market goes down 50%?” he said when he spoke with Tony Robbins. “Honestly, I feel miserable. I get knots in my stomach. So what do I do? I get out a couple of my books on ‘staying the course’ and reread them!”

We imagine he grabbed this one to go over a few key mantras.

3. The Battle for the Soul of Capitalism

John Bogle was a vocal critic of Wall Street and the American financial system, and in this book the insider revealed what he knew about the unethical practices of money managers and corporate executives that cost millions of small investors.

The New York Times called it "yet another important contribution in an illustrious career," and it was longlisted for the Financial Times and McKinsey's Business Book of the Year Award in 2005.

4. John Bogle on Investing: The First 50 Years

Bogle's senior thesis at Princeton University was titled "The Economic Role of the Investment Company," and it contained the very ideas that Vanguard would be built on. It is included in this compilation of his best speeches.

Another great resource for his speeches is his official website (a Wordpress blog he started in 2006) that has transcripts for as far back as 1984.

5. Stay the Course: The Story of Vanguard and the Index Revolution

At the time of publication, Vanguard had more $5 trillion in assets under management, but the road to that number wasn't easy. Early on it was dubbed "un-American" and mocked by Wall Street professionals.

Named after his most iconic piece of advice, Bogle's last book is a memoir that traces the history of the Vanguard Group and provides new details. He addresses his critics, his regrets and even his Vanguard successors.

Vanguard Canada. " Vanguard announces the passing of founder John C. Bogle ."

The Philadelphia Inquirer. " John Bogle, who founded Vanguard and revolutionized retirement savings, dies at 89 ."

Amazon. " Common Sense on Mutual Funds: Fully Updated 10th Anniversary Edition ."

John C. Bogle. " Common Sense on Mutual Funds: New Imperatives for the Intelligent Investor ," Back cover. John Wiley & Sons, 1999.

The Irrelevant Investor. " The Best Kind of Learning ."

Amazon. " The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns, 10th Anniversary Edition ."

Berkshire Hathaway. " 2014 Annual Report ," Page 19.

Tony Robbins, Peter Mallouk. " Unshakeable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook ," Page 38. Simon and Schuster, 2017

Amazon. " Battle for the Soul of Capitalism ."

Financial Times. " Best Business Books 2005 ."

The New York Times. " Mistrust Funds ."

Princeton University. " The Economic Role of the Investment Company ."

Amazon. " John Bogle on Investing: The First 50 Years ."

Amazon. " Stay the Course: The Story of Vanguard and the Index Revolution ."

Vanguard. " A look back at the life of Vanguard’s founder ."

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John C. Bogle

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About the Author

John C. Bogle (Bryn Mawr, PA) is Founder of The Vanguard Group, Inc., and President of the Bogle Financial Markets Research Center. He created Vanguard in 1974 and served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until 1996 and Senior Chairman until 2000. He had been associated with a predecessor company since 1951, immediately following his graduation from Princeton University, magna cum laude in Economics. The Vanguard Group is one of the two largest mutual fund organizations in the world. Headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, Vanguard comprises more than 100 mutual funds with current assets totaling about $742 billion. Vanguard 500 Index Fund, the largest fund in the group, was founded by Mr. Bogle in 1975. In 2004, TIME magazine named Mr. Bogle as one of the world's 100 most powerful and influential people, and Institutional Investor presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1999, FORTUNE designated him as one of the investment industry's four "Giants of the 20th Century." In the same year, he received the Woodrow Wilson Award from Princeton University for distinguished achievement in the nation's service."

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List of John C. Bogle books

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This is a list of John C. Bogle 's books

John Bogle Books

John C. Bogle is a household name in the finance world and has penned some of the best stock market books of all time.

He passed in January 2019, leaving behind a legacy of books, essays, and articles. John Bogle grew up during the Great Depression and spend years navigating the aftermath of this hard financial time. For his education, Bogle studied at Princeton where he started developing his unique investing philosophy.

Bogle’s idea was that index funds should be available to individual investors, including people who had limited funds to work with. Before this, index funds were only available to the wealthiest investors. Another philosophy he promoted was no-load mutual funds.

Guided by his vision for the modern day investor, Bogle started his mutual fund company, The Vanguard Group. They made index funds and no-load funds widely available, changing the face of Wall Street forever.

Quick Look: The Best John Bogle Books To Read Right Now

What Makes a Great John Bogle Book

Our top picks, final thoughts.

If you enjoy reading finance books , Bogle’s advice will find great company among other works in your collection. Experts often reference and analyze his books; it will help your overall understanding to study the impact of his work.

With his extensive bibliography, it can be difficult to know where to start. We’re taking a look at factors you should consider when selecting a John Bogle book.

Subject Matter

The crux of Bogle’s philosophy is buy-and-hold investing . This investment method is a good option for all investors who would rather not time the market or worry about short term volatility. Many of Bogle’s books specify how to use this investment type to the best effect.

He also wrote about the development of The Vanguard Group and many of the day-to-day challenges that affect an investor. Readers with an interest in sociology and economic theory can benefit from studying his works too. He often wrote about the past, present, and future of capitalism, as well as the way investors’ beliefs and psychology influence strategy.

Give You Actionable Ideas

Bogle’s investor-centric philosophy had a significant impact on his works. His books are easy to follow ; there’s a good balance of theory and practical advice.

When choosing the best investment-related business books , you want to match the contents to your personal circumstances as much as possible. Understanding both big picture situations and specific scenarios will help you make decisions in the future.

Reading the words of investors like Bogle can help you find the motivation to start investing. We’re taking a look at his best works to help you find the right text for your investing needs.

If you’re not sure if Bogle’s investment philosophy is right for you, we’re breaking down the high-level points for each of the 10 books we’ve selected.

1. Common Sense on Mutual Funds: New Imperatives for the Intelligent Investor by John Bogle

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Common Sense on Mutual Funds is one of Bogle’s masterpieces. Published in 2000, this book covers some eternal truths about the investment market . It was written with the everyday person in mind.

Bogle dives into the importance of having a long-term strategy with a focus on index funds , which were more of a novelty than a hot commodity at the time. Though the market has changed a great deal over the last two decades, you can still rely on Common Sense . It’s not dependent on individual stocks and company performance.

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2. Character Counts: The Creation and Building of The Vanguard Group by John Bogle

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Character Counts: The Creation and Building of The Vanguard Group focuses on Bogle’s Vanguard Group and the path it took to flourish into one of the biggest investment companies in the world.

Today, The Vanguard Group manages around $5.3 trillion in global assets . Bogle built it from the ground up based on his personal philosophies. The speeches featured in this book are a worthwhile read if you’re planning to start and grow your own business.

3. The Battle for the Soul of Capitalism by John Bogle

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The Battle for the Soul of Capitalism was written in 2005. Bogle sharply criticizes the present-day capitalist system in the United States.

He uses this text to draw attention to the flaws that would later cause the market to crash. He also takes a unique stance in placing a clear blame on a certain group for the crash.

This stirring book champions small investors and those looking to maintain financial independence in the face of social inequality.

4. Enough: True Measures of Money, Business, and Life by John Bogle

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Bogle takes a philosophical approach to the world of finance in Enough: True Measures of Money, Business, and Life. This text inspires readers to ask questions instead of assuming the answer.

Readers will be encouraged to ask things such as, how do we understand our role in society? What is our end goal in business and in our personal lives?

Bogle’s thoughts on this topic offer new insights to investors and general readers alike. His prose is both engaging and inspiring.

5. The Clash of the Cultures: Investment vs. Speculation by John Bogle

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If you’re interested in the history and future of investing, The Clash of Cultures: Investment vs. Speculation is a must-read.

Published in 2012, the text covers some past and present Wall Street trends. It also takes a critical look at speculation.

Formatted as a case study, Bogle analyses the history of the Wellington Fund , Vanguard’s oldest mutual fund which emphasizes a balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds.

It's a must-read for any John Bogle fan.

6. John Bogle on Investing: The First 50 Years by John Bogle

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John Bogle on Investing is an extensive collection of Bogle’s speeches, ranging from the theoretical to practical. This book is a good option for finance experts who want to deepen their knowledge in topics like bond fund management and cutting back on fiscal drag.

Even if you are not familiar with the world of finance, Bogle’s speeches are an enjoyable read and summarize his views very well.

This text may also be a great choice for those looking to expand their speech writing skills and want great examples to learn from.

7. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John Bogle

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The Little Book of Common Sense Investing is a great option for people who are beginning to build their investment portfolio . Bogle lays down the basics of low-cost index funds and describes a safe and sensible investment strategy.

If you are interested in making a splash on Wall Street, this text is an amazing choice.

Bogle’s philosophies carry extremely well over time. Note that the book was written in 2007 and then reprinted in 2017, which is proof of its relevance.

8. Bogle on Mutual Funds: New Perspectives for the Intelligent Investor by John Bogle

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Bogle on Mutual Funds is John Bogle’s first book. Thought it was his introductory text , it still left a significant impact on the world of finance.

Lead by his personal philosophies, Bogle on Mutual Funds can help any level of investor gain clarity and understand how to manage risk wi

th their investments. Bogle also covers the dangers of misleading advertising, stresses the importance of skepticism, and encourages investors to use their common sense.

9. Stay the Course: The Story of Vanguard and the Index Revolution by John Bogle

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Stay the Course: The Story of Vanguard and the Index Revolution is Bogle’s final book published in 2018. It details a fascinating retrospection of The Vanguard Group’s development.

If you are interested in a bit more anecdotal side of Bogle’s work, Stay the Course is a great option for you.

On top of recounting on his success, Bogle also takes the time to explain his own ethics and values as an investor. These are the principles that guided his decisions throughout his career.

10. Don't Count on It! by John Bogle

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Don’t Count on It! is another extremely important work that will benefit casual readers as well as investors. Bogle focuses his time on looking into the reasoning behind his bad investment decisions.

It criticizes many aspects of financial markets and economic systems and offers sound advice about staying objective.

If you want a detailed look into Bogle’s decision making and mistakes, Don’t Count on It! should be high on your list of must-reads.

Reading the works of great investors is important for finance experts and novices alike. It can give you the reassurance that you’re on the right path, or draw your attention to mistakes you’ve started making.

John Bogle’s bibliography gives an extensive range of topics to learn from. From the logistics of his success with The Vanguard Group, to personal philosophies, and to mistakes in his career, there’s a Bogle book for every step of an investor’s journey.

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You're getting a free audiobook., featured article: the 20 best investment audiobooks to trade like a pro.

Thanks to the ever-changing nature of the economy, beginners and seasoned investment professionals alike have to stay on top of their game, always looking for the little bit of knowledge that will help them remain one step ahead of the curve. Whether you’re bearish or bullish, with a large portfolio or a limited budget, these investment-focused audiobooks can provide the perspectives and lessons you need to challenge yourself and grow.

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Das kleine Handbuch des vernünftigen Investierens Audiobook By John C. Bogle cover art

Das kleine Handbuch des vernünftigen Investierens

Wie investiere ich intelligent und gleichzeitig möglichst günstig am Aktienmarkt? John Bogle hat die Antwort darauf in seinem Handbuch kompakt...

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O investidor de bom senso [The Little Book of Commom Sense Investing] Audiobook By John C. Bogle cover art

O investidor de bom senso [The Little Book of Commom Sense Investing]

O investidor de bom senso é o guia clássico para atuar de forma inteligente no mercado financeiro. Fundador da gestora americana Vanguard, John C. Bogle revela neste livro a chave para ter o melhor desempenho, descrevendo o que considera a estratégia mais simples e eficiente....

4 out of 5 stars

The Simplicity of Invest

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Common Sense on Mutual Funds Audiobook By John C. Bogle cover art

Common Sense on Mutual Funds

When Jack Bogle speaks, people listen.

3 out of 5 stars

Directionally correct, but outdated

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The Little Book of Common Sense Investing Audiobook By John C. Bogle cover art

The Little Book of Common Sense Investing

The Little Book of Common Sense Investing is the classic guide to getting smart about the market....

1 out of 5 stars

One star for every point this 5 hour book makes.

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The Little Book of Common Sense Investing Audiobook By John C. Bogle cover art

To learn how to make index investing work for you, there's no better mentor than legendary mutual-fund industry veteran John C. Bogle....

Invest in Index Fund.If you get that, don't waste$

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Stay the Course Audiobook By John C. Bogle cover art

Stay the Course

The story the Vanguard Group as told by its founder, legendary investor John C. Bogle, Stay the Course traces the history of Vanguard - the largest mutual fund organization on Earth....

5 out of 5 stars

Surprisingly well-written, but bad narrator

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Don't Count on It! Audiobook By John C. Bogle cover art

Don't Count on It!

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, while, at the same time, leading a tireless campaign to restore common sense to the investment world....

Brilliant but Braggodocious and Repetitive

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Bogle on Mutual Funds Audiobook By John C. Bogle cover art

Bogle on Mutual Funds

This audiobook provides investors with the wisdom of the pioneer of mutual funds to help you identify and execute the ideal mutual fund investment choices....

Good book. Difficult narration.

Battle for the Soul of Capitalism Audiobook By John C. Bogle cover art

Battle for the Soul of Capitalism

There is no one better qualified to tell us about the failures of the American financial system and the grotesque abuses that have taken place in recent years than John C. Bogle....

Do You Own a Mutual Fund?

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The Clash of the Cultures Audiobook By John C. Bogle, Arthur Levitt - foreword cover art

The Clash of the Cultures

Provocative and refreshingly candid, this audiobook discusses Mr. Bogle's views on the changing culture in the mutual fund industry....

Dry as all Hell

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Common Sense on Mutual Funds Audiobook By John C Bogle cover art

John Bogle - founder of the Vanguard Mutual Fund Group and creator of the first index mutual fund - is an industry pioneer....

Way long to make the point

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Enough Audiobook By John C. Bogle cover art

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....

Repetitious

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John Bogle Reading List: 5 Books by the Father of Index Funds
John Bogle Reading List: 5 Books by the Father of Index Funds · 1. Common Sense on Mutual Funds: New Imperatives for the Intelligent Investor · 2. The Little Book
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The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns (Little Books, Big Profits) · The Little Book of
John C. Bogle: books, biography, latest update
Follow John C. Bogle and explore their bibliography from Amazon.com's John C. Bogle Author Page.
List of books by author John C. Bogle
Books by John C. Bogle · The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share · Common Sense on Mutual Funds: New Imperatives for
Books by John C. Bogle
John C. Bogle has 51 books on Goodreads with 109901 ratings. John C. Bogle's most popular book is The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way...
List of John C. Bogle books
List of John C. Bogle books · Bogle on Mutual Funds: New Perspectives for the Intelligent Investor. · Common Sense on Mutual Funds: New
The Best John Bogle Books for Investors • Benzinga
Quick Look: The Best John Bogle Books To Read Right Now · Common Sense on Mutual Funds: New Imperatives for the Intelligent Investor · Character
John C. Bogle
His 1999 book Common Sense on Mutual Funds: New Imperatives for the Intelligent Investor became a bestseller and is considered a classic within the investment
List of Books by Author John C. Bogle
Search - List of Books by John C. Bogle ; Stay the Course The Story of Vanguard and the Index Revolution. 2018 - ; The Little Book of Common Sense Investing
John C. Bogle
Best Sellers · The Little Book of Common Sense Investing By cover art · Battle for the Soul of Capitalism By cover art · Enough By cover art · Bogle on Mutual Funds