Everything you need to know?

Everything You Need To Know………
All investments whether classical or alternative involve a degree of due diligence and understanding. But do you know what to look for?

This week Alternative Investor looks at the Top 10 books that are suggested as required reading for every investor.

1) The Intelligent Investor
This is perhaps the most important and influential book ever written about value investing. Originally published in 1934 by Ben Graham, this work has been heralded by such notable investors as Warren Buffett as "the best investing book ever written". In it, Graham presents two types of investing styles - one for every day people who don't want to think about their portfolios ("defensive") and one for the business man or woman who wants to enjoy maximum returns ("enterprising").

2) One Up on Wall Street
It has been said that One Up on Wall Street should be the first or second book any new investor should read. In it, famed mutual fund manager Peter Lynch teaches you how to use what you already know to make money in the market.

3) The Essays of Warren Buffett
Anyone who is worth their salt as an investor has read the Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letters, written by Buffett. In this book, Professor Lawrence Cunningham selects and arranges these corporate "essays" by topic and relevance. It is a great tool to have handy and can teach you a lot about management, business valuation, investing philosophy, the use of stock options, economic and accounting goodwill and more.

4) Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits & Other Writings
Philip Fisher is one of the most prominent and important financial thinkers in history. In this book, he examines the fifteen qualities of an excellent business. When this approach is coupled with Graham's "value" method, it can be a very powerful thing.

5) Security Analysis
Security Analysis was originally written by Professor Benjamin Graham in 1934. Five editions and a million copies later, the seven hundred page investing treatise will teach you how to analyse and value almost any investment. If you take more than a casual interest in building your net worth, this book will change your life.

6) How to be a Billionaire
In this 250+ page book, the author takes you through the strategies of many of America's billionaires, going back more than 100 years to such names as Getty and Rockefeller, and ending with such modern-day titans as Bill Gates. It examines each of their strengths in an easy-to-digest format. This book is a fun and informative read.

7) The Interpretation of Financial Statements
Do you want to learn to read and understand financial statements? This classic investment book makes it simple. No matter how experienced an investor, the Interpretation of Financial Statements is a wonderful reference guide for those who want to understand published financial statements and reports. Although some of the information is slightly out of date, you can be sure this book will still be useful in twenty years.

8) 9 Steps to Financial Freedom
Renowned expert Suze Orman discusses nine steps each person can take to put themselves on the road to financial independence. Not just limited to investment, this book covers everything from retirement to life insurance. It is an excellent companion if you are looking for a well-rounded approach to bring fiscal responsibility and discipline to your life.

9) Use the News
This guide to the stock market from CNBC anchor Maria Bartiromo, discusses how an investor can separate the "news" from the "noise", allowing them to focus on what is truly important to their investments.

10) Financial Shenanigans: How to Detect Accounting Gimmicks and Fraud
The second edition of Howard Schilit's book teaches investors to detect financial fraud and aggressive accounting in annual reports, financial statements, and SEC filings. There are dozens of real-life examples ranging from film to tech companies. If you take more than a casual interest in your investments, you should consider owning this book.