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Hardcover
By Jim Paul and Brendan Moynihan (Authors)
Publication Date: May 17, 2013
Columbia Business School Publishing
What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars is a candid and compelling exploration of failure in the world of finance—told not through theory or charts, but through real-life experience. Jim Paul, a successful commodities trader, shares the story of how he rose to financial and professional heights only to lose it all—and what that journey taught him.
Rather than offering another "how to make money" book, Paul and co-author Brendan Moynihan flip the script by focusing on how not to lose it. By dissecting the psychological and emotional pitfalls that led to Paul’s downfall, this book provides a unique and valuable lesson: avoiding failure is often just as important as chasing success.
"There are as many ways to make money in the markets as there are people. There are only a few ways to lose it—and all of them are psychological." — Jim Paul
Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or just someone navigating life’s high-stakes decisions, this book is a must-read. It's a rare look at the emotional side of losing—shame, ego, denial—and how those feelings can cloud judgment and lead to disaster.
By focusing on the mindset and mental traps that lead to financial ruin, What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars offers invaluable insight into risk management, personal psychology, and the art of self-awareness. It’s part autobiography, part cautionary tale, and entirely relatable for anyone who's ever taken a big risk.
Genre: Finance, Psychology, Business Memoir
ISBN: 9780231164686
Publisher: Columbia Business School Publishing
Pages: 208 pages
Language: English
This book isn’t about stock tips or formulas—it’s about protecting yourself from the most dangerous investor of all: you. With honest storytelling and sharp insights, Paul and Moynihan help readers understand how emotions like pride, fear, and overconfidence can sabotage even the best financial strategies. If you're serious about personal growth or smarter decision-making in life and business, this book will challenge the way you think—and may save you from your own million-dollar mistake.