Low-Risk Investing in the '90s

Raymond B. Blake is director of the Centre for Canadian Studies at Mount
Allison University and the author of Canadians at Last: Canada
Integrates Newfoundland as a Province.

According to financial expert Gordon Pape, there is always risk in
investing money, but the key is to minimize that risk. Consequently,
this book is about low-risk investing that will yield above-average
returns. Pape targets his book at those who have funds available for an
investment program and are interested in managing their own plans.

The most important aspects of successful investing, says Pape, are
common sense and awareness. He advises investors to be cognizant of what
is happening in the world around them, and to watch the economic trends
and interest rates; if interest rates are high, it might be a good time
to buy bonds. Pape also advises investors to be flexible, to alter their
investment strategies to meet new economic realities as they emerge. In
many places throughout the book, he outlines a step-by-step approach,
such as his five-step approach to building a portfolio and his twelve
principles for successful investing.

This concise, well-written guide covers all types of investments, from
bonds and coins to equity funds. However, the author assumes that its
readers have the resources available for investing. If this is not the
case, Pape suggests that readers start with one of his other financial
guides.