Tough Minded Investment Manager Analysis

A review of Extraordinary Comebacks by John A. Sarkett
In one of Neil Gaiman’s stories, a young woman meets the fates, the three sisters who spin the thread of your life, measure it and then cut it off.  The young woman asks, “Are you going to hurt me?”  The fates answer, “Hurt you?  Of course we are going to hurt you.  Everyone gets hurt.”
 
John A. Sarkett’s new book, “Extraordinary Comebacks” tells the stories of hundreds of people who came back from defeat and tragedy and pain because they had the courage to try one more time.  The stories are short, but that may be an advantage.  You will probably reach for this volume more than once.

I make a strong distinction between what I call a salesman’s risk and an investor’s risk.  For a salesman, to do nothing is exactly the same as trying and failing.  This book is mainly about taking salesmen’s risks and, as such, presents stories of value.  It is important to understand that failure is not necessarily fatal.

I would have preferred it if Mr. Sarkett had talked more about where the people in his stories found their courage.  For some people, perhaps, courage is never an issue.  For the rest of us, this is an issue of some importance.  But perhaps Mr. Sarkett is wiser than I am.  People find courage in different places.  This book may help you find yours.

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