Real estate investor Berlanga maintains a steadfast belief in land speculation as the cornerstone of successful investing. He notes that ninety percent of millionaires owe their fortunes, at least in part, to investing in land whose value has appreciated over time. What's remarkable about this form of investment is that the land in question doesn't require management or even regular visits. Once purchased, its value rises with no further effort required on the part of the owner. Whether it proves a wise or foolish investment, however, depends on a complex array of factors: neighboring properties, zoning restrictions, and more. Berlanga discusses each of these issues, but he is keen to stress that investing in land is a gamble whose success or failure depends largely on luck and intuition. "Real estate," he writes, "involves time, risk, and potential for error."

The author's book is an accessible and surprisingly entertaining guide to speculation for the uninitiated. A long-time investor himself, Berlanga writes with the casual, lightly tossed-off expertise of a writer who has spent years immersed in his chosen subject. This deep knowledge of investing and the passion with which he elucidates abstract and difficult concepts set the book apart from the many hastily researched e-books on the subject, penned by those who are only writing for profit. Though the tone is motivational throughout, he seldom descends to the treacly sentiments and banal platitudes typical of the self-help genre. Aspiring investors will undoubtedly benefit from the enthusiasm and experience that Berlanga demonstrates in this book.

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