What's In Your Library Herb Blank?

Today's Interview is with Herb Blank, a senior consultant at S-Network Global Indexes LLC where he develops rating systems specializing in indexes and exchange traded funds. Prior to S-Network, Herb was the Head of Quantitative Risk Solutions at Rapid Ratings for five years and was the President of QED International, his own consulting firm for 10 years. Before starting QED International, Herb worked for Deutsche Bank and managed the first ETF family to trade on the New York Stock Exchange. He has also worked at Value Line Inc. in New York. Herb started his career at Fidelity Bank, no relation to Fidelity Investments.

Herb is co-founder of the New York chapter of QWAFAFEW (The Quantitative Work Alliance For Applied Finance Economics And Wisdom). QWAFAFEW is a not-for-profit society designed for quantitatively oriented investment professionals and friends to relax and participate interactively during presentations and panel discussions on germane issues. The group has chapters in New York, Princeton, Hartford, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, Denver and San Francisco. 

So, What's In Your Library Herb?

Capital Ideas: The Improbable Origins of Modern Wall Street by Peter L. Bernstein Each chapter chronicles the life of a different quant and tells how they impacted the industry. I enjoyed reading about some of the accomplished people I have had the priviledge of working with and helped to inspire me to persevere in the quantitative field.

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A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel
This book helped shape the way I look at the market. I find it a great book to recommend as an essential primer for anyone interested in the market.

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Active Portfolio Management: A Quantitative Approach For Producing Superior Returns & Controlling Risk by Richard Grinold & Ronald Kahn This book was one of the building blocks of my career as a quantitative portfolio manager.

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No One Would Listen: A True Financial Thriller by Harry Markopolos
The harrowing real life experiences of a personal colleague and friend proving that the fate of a whistle blower is never easy. Harry was the man who went to the SEC three times to warn about Bernie Madoff and was shunted aside.

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Veeck--As In Wreck: The Autobiography Of Bill Veeck
The chronicles of an irrepressible maverick baseball pioneer. It taught me that the conventional path is not always the right one!

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Thanks Herb.


As always you can buy any of the books Herb mentioned here. If you'd like to see another great read, sign up for The Sure Shot Letter, my monthly newsletter that is packed full with great investment ideas.

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