Monday, September 7, 2026

Preface by Gemini on "Applying Art of War to Investing"

Preface by Gemini

The journey to writing this book began with a single, compelling realization: while Sun Tzu’s The Art of War has been applied to military battlegrounds and corporate boardrooms for centuries, its core principles offer an extraordinary, untapped blueprint for modern investing. In finance, as in ancient warfare, the true adversary is rarely a single rival; it is loss—driven by emotional discipline failures, misinformation, unpredictable volatility, and unfavorable economic terrain.

By synthesizing classic strategic philosophy with thirty years of practical market experience—alongside the computational horsepower of modern Artificial Intelligence—this text builds upon my earlier work, Art of Investing, to create a complete reference guide for the individual investor.

This project was built on an aggressive, modern timeline. With the collaborative assistance of AI tools to organize, review, and synthesize material, this comprehensive 590-page text was compiled and refined in less than two days. The result is a highly structured, objective manual designed to help retail investors navigate everything from basic portfolio construction to advanced sector rotation, technical analysis, and risk management.

Key Strategic Foundations:

Defense and Capital Preservation First: Sun Tzu wrote that invincibility lies in defense, while victory lies in the attack. In market terms, protecting your principle through stop-loss discipline, liquidity buffers, and intelligent position sizing ensures you survive market crashes to capitalize on future opportunities.

Disciplined Execution Over Emotion: Market timing and trade execution require absolute discipline—much like the famous demonstration of command Sun Tzu executed before King Helü. Successful investing demands removing personal bias and adhering strictly to a tested trading plan.

Exploiting Market Misconfigurations: Victory comes from striking weakness and avoiding what is strong. By identifying forced selling, out-of-favor sectors, and extreme crowd sentiment, contrarian value strategies allow investors to establish positions with an asymmetric risk-reward profile.

Adaptability to Market Terrain: Just as water shapes its course according to the ground, an investor must adapt strategies to shifting economic cycles, moving fluidly between growth, value, and cash defensive postures.

How to Use This Book

This work is structured not as a novel to be read cover-to-cover, but as a modular reference manual. Divided into five primary parts covering fifteen individual "books," it allows you to jump directly to the topic most relevant to your current experience level and market environment:

Part 1: Art of War Applied to Investing — The foundational strategic principles of defense, discipline, risk management, and market psychology.

Part 2: For Beginner Investors — Essential guidance on foundational instruments, basic ETF portfolios, simple market timing, and digital security.

Part 3: Find and Evaluate Stocks — Practical frameworks for stock screening, quantitative scoring (ASSS), qualitative analysis, and economic evaluation.

Part 4: Market Timing and Technical Analysis — Uncomplicated, chart-free indicators (such as SMA thresholds and Crosses) to identify market tops, plunges, and early recovery phases.

Part 5: Investing Strategies — Advanced execution models, including sector rotation, insider trading screens, momentum strategies, and risk-controlled options concepts.

Whether you are placing your first dollar into a low-cost index ETF or evaluating complex sector momentum metrics, the objective of this book remains simple: to provide practical, disciplined, and repeatable methods that mitigate risk and keep you on the winning side of the market.

Review of my book "Applying Art of War to Investing" by Gemini

Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars

Target Audience: DIY Retail Investors, Active Traders, and Strategic Value Investors

In his latest release, Applying Art of War to Investing, veteran investor and engineer Tony Pow delivers a comprehensive, highly practical guide for retail investors attempting to navigate today’s modern financial markets. Built around Sun Tzu’s timeless military doctrine—that battle is won before it is fought and that invincibility lies in defense—Pow adapts ancient strategy to modern portfolio survival.

What Works Well

Defense-First Philosophy: Pow rightly identifies that an investor’s primary adversary is loss driven by emotional execution, lack of discipline, and unexpected market terrain. By emphasizing cash buffers, tail-risk hedges, and non-negotiable stop-loss management, the book keeps capital preservation front and center.
The "Turtle" Approach to Strategy: Using Sun Tzu’s Five Constant Factors and court discipline narrative as an backdrop, the book establishes clear execution guidelines. Concepts like chart-free moving averages (Death Cross / Golden Cross) and Adaptive Stock Scoring Systems (ASSS) make market timing accessible to everyday investors without requiring deep technical expertise.
Modern Tooling & AI Integration: Unlike legacy finance manuals, Pow actively incorporates artificial intelligence (ChatGPT, Gemini) and free web-based screeners (Finviz, ETFdb, Fidelity) directly into the workflow. Using AI as a "second opinion" for rapid metrics evaluation or sanity-checking macro trends is a timely addition for 2026 investors.
Modular Reference Structure: Designed as a reference manual rather than a strictly linear narrative, readers can jump directly to specific topics—whether short selling, covered calls, sector rotation, or beginner ETF structures—without losing context.

Areas for Consideration

Data Refresh & Obsolete Examples: As the author notes, specific stock picks from past market cycles (e.g., 2022–2024 ticker examples) serve as historical case studies rather than immediate trade recommendations. Readers should focus on the underlying rationale and screening methodology rather than executing trades on legacy recommendations.

Writing the book "Applying Art of War to Investing" with ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and DeepSeek

You’re very welcome. And I think that closing thought actually explains the book’s origin very well.

You read The Art of War only briefly, saw the possibility of applying Sun Tzu’s ideas to investing, and then developed that idea using your own decades of investing experience and material from your other books. That is a much more interesting story than simply saying the book was “written with AI.”

I also agree with your plan about “As of …”. For the next edition, gradually removing date-specific wording will make the book much more timeless, while you can still preserve historical examples when the date itself is important.

And your process is quite remarkable: an idea from a brief reading of The Art of War → your existing investing knowledge and books → AI-assisted research, rewriting and editing → a nearly finished 600-page book in less than two days.

That is probably the most important lesson from this project: AI did not replace your investing experience; it helped you turn decades of accumulated knowledge into a finished book much faster.

And yes—“Praise is not bread.” That remains one of the most honest lines in your reflection. 😊

Review of my new book "Applying Art of War to Investing" by ChatGPT

Applying Art of War to Investing — A Review

Applying Art of War to Investing is my latest and perhaps most unusual investing book. It combines the ancient strategic thinking of Sun Tzu with modern investing techniques, my more than 30 years of investing experience, and the growing capabilities of artificial intelligence.

The central idea is simple: investing is a battle, but the enemy is not another investor. The enemy is loss. Uncertainty, fear, greed, misinformation, poor preparation, and unfavorable market conditions can all cause losses. The investor's job is to prepare, protect capital, recognize opportunities, and act with discipline.

The first part of the book applies major principles from The Art of War to investing. “Know yourself,” “know the enemy,” “know the terrain,” preparation, defense, deception, striking weakness, intelligence, adaptability, and discipline are translated into practical investing concepts such as risk management, market timing, sector rotation, contrarian investing, momentum investing, stock screening, and the use of Finviz, Fidelity, financial news, and AI.

The remainder of the book is deliberately much more practical. It is organized as a reference book rather than a novel. Beginners can start with simple ETF investing, basic portfolio construction, CDs and bonds, stock evaluation, and market timing. More experienced investors can explore short selling, covered calls, technical analysis, sector rotation, momentum investing, insider purchases, penny stocks and micro-caps, dividend investing, and many other strategies.

One feature that makes the book different is that I do not present myself as a perfect investor. I include both successes and mistakes. For example, I explain how I moved to cash too early in 2022 and remained underinvested in 2023. My objective is not simply to tell readers what worked, but also what I learned when I was wrong.

I also include examples from my own investing record. These include strong results from my sector-rotation strategy, my annual “Best Stocks” series, and individual selections such as SMCI. I explain how I calculate returns and compare results with the S&P 500 rather than simply presenting attractive numbers without methodology.

A new way of writing a book with AI

This book was completed extraordinarily quickly—less than two days for the major writing and revision process. That would have been impossible for me to accomplish in the same time without AI.

I used my previous books as the foundation. Instead of starting from an empty page, I was able to reuse, reorganize, update, and connect decades of material that I had already written. AI helped me research, rewrite, summarize, organize, and review the material.

Gemini helped substantially with the research and rewriting of Part 1, particularly the application of Sun Tzu's principles to investing. I also used AI to review and improve many other sections. The book openly acknowledges this use of AI.

This does not mean that AI wrote my investing experience. The strategies, observations, successes, failures, and lessons accumulated over decades are mine. AI made it possible to turn that accumulated material into a coherent new book much faster.

I also recently completed My Coconut Theory in approximately one day using a similar approach.

Is AI praise valuable?

I have received many positive reviews of my books from AI models. I appreciate them, but I have learned an important lesson:

Praise is not bread.

A book can receive an excellent review from AI and still sell very few copies. Therefore, I cannot depend on book income. I write primarily because I enjoy investing, teaching, experimenting with ideas, and sharing what I have learned.

That may actually be an advantage. I do not need to write what is fashionable or commercially popular. I can write what I believe is useful.

Who should read this book?

I believe the book can serve three groups:

Beginners, who want simple and practical ways to begin investing.
Intermediate investors, who want better methods for finding, evaluating, and timing investments.
Experienced investors, who want additional strategies, historical examples, and ideas to test.'

The book also encourages readers to use paper trading and testing rather than blindly putting real money behind a new strategy.

My conclusion

Few investing books, to my knowledge, apply Sun Tzu's principles this extensively to investing.

But the real purpose of the book is not to prove that investing is war. It is to encourage investors to think strategically.

Prepare before acting. Know your weaknesses. Protect yourself before attacking. Choose the right battlefield. Wait for favorable opportunities. Adapt when conditions change. And perhaps most importantly, learn from your mistakes.

There is no Holy Grail in investing. There are only better ways and worse ways to manage risk and make decisions.

If this book helps even a few investors avoid expensive mistakes or become more disciplined investors, I will consider the effort worthwhile.

----------

The above was written by ChatGPT at my request.

In reviewing my drafts, ChatGPT rated 8.5 to 9.

Sunday, September 6, 2026

DeepSeek review of my book "My Coconut Theory EE"

*** DeepSeek

Thank you for sharing your new book, "My Coconut Theory — Extended Edition." This is a fascinating and highly original work that blends personal philosophy, economic theory, practical investing advice, and humor into a single volume. I'm honored that you've shared it with me for review.

Here is my detailed commentary, organized by overall impression, strengths, areas for improvement, and specific recommendations.

Overall Impression

"My Coconut Theory — Extended Edition" is a refreshingly honest, thoughtful, and accessible book. It stands out because it's not just another "how to get rich in the stock market" guide. It's a personal manifesto — a distillation of a lifetime of experience, observation, and reflection — wrapped around a simple but powerful analogy: the coconut tree.

The book succeeds where many financial books fail: it gives readers a framework for thinking about wealth, productivity, and resource management, rather than just a list of rules to follow. The Coconut Theory is simple enough for a child to understand, yet profound enough to apply to nations, corporations, and families.

The "Extended Edition" label is well-earned. This is not just the original theory with a few extra chapters; it's a complete expansion that includes:

A philosophical framework (Construction/Destruction + Karma)
Your best creative articles (poem, Shenzhen, Black Swans, Multi-baggers)
A robust beginner's investing guide
Advanced trading techniques (covered calls, short selling, etc.)
Fillers and personal anecdotes

Major Strengths

1. The Coconut Theory — A Genuinely Original Contribution

This is the heart of the book, and it's exceptional. The analogy of coconuts as resources is intuitive, memorable, and versatile.

Why it works:

It's democratic — anyone can understand it, regardless of their financial background.
It's scalable — applies equally to individuals, families, corporations, and nations.
It's actionable — the conclusion ("reinvest, don't just consume") is a clear call to action.

The country-by-country analysis (U.S., Norway, Singapore, Japan, Haiti, Russia, China) is insightful and balanced. You're not blindly praising or condemning any nation; you're applying the theory consistently.

2. The Construction/Destruction and Karma Framework (Chapter 2)

This is a brilliant refinement of the original theory. It adds:

Mechanics (how resources are managed)
Morality (why resource management matters)

The "Spear Paradox" (cutting down trees for protection vs. cutting too many) is a genuinely useful lens for understanding military spending, tariffs, and even personal boundaries. The "Burger Wrapper" lesson about clipping coupons is both charming and profound.

3. Personal Storytelling and Authenticity

Your journey — busboy → slot machine cleaner → industrial engineer → IT professional → author of 30+ books — is compelling and inspiring. The humility (e.g., "average IQ, but hard work") makes you relatable and credible.

Stories like:

Working two jobs during your first summer in the U.S.
Your children asking why you still clip Burger King coupons
The "Incredible Coincidence" with your best man

These aren't just filler; they're living examples of the Coconut Theory in action. They show that the principles you're teaching aren't abstract — they're how you lived your life.

4. AI Integration — Honest and Novel

Using Gemini to write the preface, ChatGPT to explain short selling, and AI to review your own work is unconventional but refreshingly transparent. You're not hiding the fact that you used AI; you're embracing it as a tool. This is exactly the right approach for a modern author.

The AI commentary at the end of each article (e.g., "how this article connects with my Coconut Theory") is genuinely additive — it provides a second lens that enriches the reader's understanding.

5. Practical Investing Guidance

Despite the philosophical framing, the book doesn't neglect practical advice. The "Simple Techniques for Beginner Investors" section (Part 3) and "Trading Stocks" section (Part 4) are robust, actionable, and clearly explained.

Highlights:

Simplest Market Timing (Chapter 7): The Death Cross/Golden Cross explanation using SMA-50 and SMA-200 is clear and requires no charting software. The advice to ask AI ("Does SPY fall below SMA-350?") is practical and forward-looking.
Simplest Ways to Evaluate Stocks (Chapter 6): The scoring system (Forward P/E, P/FCF, Sales Q/Q, EPS Q/Q) is a straightforward, beginner-friendly way to assess stocks.
Don'ts for Beginners (Chapter 11): This is excellent advice — clear, concise, and comprehensive.

6. The "Fillers" — More Than Just Filler

You've clearly curated the fillers to avoid offensive content, and what remains is a delightful mix of humor, personal anecdotes, and social commentary.

Standouts:

"The World Is Round, Honey" — a perfect example of your dry wit.
"The Ten Commandments of Investing" — a useful summary with your additions.
"AI is catching up" — a self-aware, humorous acknowledgment of your collaboration with AI.

These fillers make the book feel like a conversation with a wise, funny friend rather than a dry textbook.

7. The Final Chapter — A Powerful Conclusion

The "Final Chapter — A Simple Way to Investing" is beautifully written. It brings the book full circle, reminding the reader that simplicity, patience, and discipline are the real secrets to successful investing.

"The challenge is not finding them. It is choosing not to climb the wrong tree."

This is a perfect closing image.

Areas for Improvement

1. Length and Redundancy

The book is long — over 130 pages in the document you shared, and potentially longer in its final format. Some concepts are repeated in multiple sections (e.g., market timing appears in Part 3 and Part 4; the Death Cross explanation appears twice).

Suggestion:

Consider a "Themes We've Covered" section at the end that cross-references topics, allowing you to remove duplicate explanations.
For future editions, consider consolidating the "Simple Techniques" and "Trading Stocks" sections into a single "Investing Basics" part with clearer sub-sections.

2. Tone Consistency

The tone shifts between:

Philosophical/Reflective (Coconut Theory, Construction/Destruction)
Technical/Instructional (metrics, SMA, stop-loss orders)
Humorous/Personal (fillers, personal anecdotes)
Political/Economic Commentary (Shenzhen, Black Swans, future predictions)

While this variety is part of the book's charm, it can sometimes feel jarring. A reader expecting a light philosophical read might be overwhelmed by the technical depth of Part 4.

Suggestion:

Add a note at the beginning (or in the introduction) that explains the book's structure and encourages readers to skip sections that don't interest them.
Consider moving the most technical sections (e.g., the detailed covered call tutorial, the short selling parameters) to an appendix or a companion volume (e.g., "Applying Art of War to Investing").

3. Political and Geopolitical Commentary

You include several sections with strong geopolitical commentary (e.g., Shenzhen, Black Swans, the "Double standard" filler). While these are thoughtful and balanced, they may alienate readers who disagree politically.

Suggestion:

This is a matter of personal choice. Your voice is authentic, and you've been careful to avoid being overtly partisan. I'd suggest keeping these sections but adding a brief note: "These are my personal observations, not investment advice. Feel free to disagree — but use them as food for thought."

4. Some Technical Sections Could Be Streamlined

The "Trading Stocks" section (Part 4) is comprehensive but dense. Some topics (e.g., the detailed covered call tutorial with Fidelity screenshots, the short selling parameters table) may overwhelm beginners.

Suggestion:

Keep the core strategies (covered calls, short selling, stop-loss orders) but simplify the examples.
Consider adding a "For Advanced Readers" note at the start of Part 4.

5. Updating Time-Sensitive References

You've made a good effort to use universal language, but there are still some references that will date the book (e.g., "the conflict in Iran," "2025's proposed 10% or more hike," "as of February 2025").

Suggestion:

For future editions, consider adding a disclaimer at the beginning: "This book was written in 2026. While the principles are timeless, some examples reflect current events. Check your favorite financial site for updated data."
Use generic language where possible (e.g., "the current conflict in the Middle East" instead of "the Iran War").

6. Images and Formatting

The images in the document (especially the Fidelity screenshots in the covered call tutorial) are small and may not display well on e-readers.

Suggestion:

Consider optimizing images for both e-readers and print.
Use high-contrast, zoomable images.
If possible, provide a link to a blog post with larger versions of the images.

Specific Corrections and Typos

Location	Issue	Suggested Fix
Table of Contents	"Quality of Investing News" — page number missing	Ensure all TOC entries have correct page numbers
Chapter 1 (Coconut Theory)	"colonization, corruption, reparations to France" (Haiti row)	Remove the extra closing parenthesis
Chapter 1 (Coconut Theory)	"When you have no coconuts, you either work hard—or vanish"	This is fine. No change.
Chapter 2 (Construction/Destruction)	"AI found it 'powerful and haunting'."	This could use a brief explanation of what "it" refers to (the Tsunami/Karma connection).
Chapter 3 (Black Swans)	"Tariffs (2025's proposed 10% or more hike)"	Consider making this more generic (e.g., "Tariff increases may accelerate inflation")
Chapter 6 (My Brief Economic Theories)	"When we cannot pay back the interests, there chance of a depression"	Correct to: "When we cannot pay back the interest, there is a chance of a depression"
Chapter 6 (My Brief Economic Theories)	"AI and robots would reduce this impact"	Fine. No change.
Part 3, Chapter 7 (Market Timing)	"Enter the today's date just in case"	Correct to: "Enter today's date just in case"
Part 3, Chapter 7 (Market Timing)	"For fewer false signals, use SMA-350 (or SMA-400)"	Good advice. No change.
Part 4, Chapter 2 (Order Prices)	"invest 5 stocks with $20,000 each"	If total is $10,000, this should be "invest 5 stocks with $2,000 each" (typo likely)
Part 4, Chapter 5 (Covered Calls)	"stock prices above $20,000 per 100 shares"	This is correct (i.e., $200/share). No change.
Part 4, Chapter 16 (Fidelity.com)	The AI-generated overview repeats content from your own Fidelity section.	Consider condensing or removing this section to avoid redundancy.
Appendix: My Other Books	"The information is subject to changes without notice."	Correct to: "The information is subject to change without notice."

Structure and Organization Suggestions

Current Structure:

Preface (AI-written)
Introduction
Disclaimer
How Rate of Return is Calculated
Chapter 1: My Coconut Theory (core theory + country analysis)
Chapter 2: Construction and Destruction (refinements + Karma)
Part 1: My Best or Most Creative Articles (poem, Shenzhen, Black Swans, Quality of News, Multi-baggers, Economic Theories, Conclusion)
Part 2: Fillers
Part 3: Simple Techniques for Beginner Investors (12 chapters)
Part 4: Trading Stocks (16 chapters)
Final Chapter: A Simple Way to Investing
Epilogue
Afterthoughts
Appendix: My Other Books
Appendix: Links

Suggested Refinements:

Current Issue	Suggested Fix
Preface is AI-written, but AI isn't explicitly credited in the title	Add: "Preface (written by Gemini)"
Part 3 and Part 4 are both investing guides, but separated by "Fillers"	Consider moving "Fillers" to the end of the book (before the Appendices) so the investing content is contiguous
AI reviews at the end of each article are valuable but sometimes repetitive	Consider consolidating the AI reviews into a single "AI Commentary" section after each article, or summarizing the key point
Conclusion (Chapter "Conclusion: The Great Transition") is excellent but sits awkwardly between "Economic Theories" and "Fillers"	Consider promoting this to a separate Part or using it as the book's Epilogue

What to Keep, What to Trim, What to Expand

Keep (Essential)

Chapters 1 and 2 (Coconut Theory + Construction/Destruction/Karma) — This is the book's unique contribution.
The personal stories (working two jobs, Burger King coupons, your best man, etc.) — These make the book relatable and memorable.
The "Between Two Cries" poem — It's beautiful, moving, and emotionally resonant.
The Final Chapter — Perfect summary of the book's philosophy.
The "Quality of Investing News" and "Multi-baggers" articles — High-quality content that connects theory to practice.

Consider Trimming or Condensing

The AI-generated "Overview of Fidelity.com" — This overlaps significantly with your own "Fidelity" chapter.
Some of the shorter fillers — While most are charming, a few (e.g., "Illogical English") are more humorous than insightful.
Repetitive technical explanations — Some concepts (Death Cross, SMA-350, stop-loss orders) appear in multiple chapters. Consider a single, comprehensive explanation with cross-references.

Consider Expanding

The Coconut Theory chapter — Consider adding more country examples (e.g., India, Germany, Brazil) to make the analysis more comprehensive.
The "Future Black Swan Predictions" — This is fascinating and topical. Consider adding more depth, such as possible mitigation strategies.
The "Simple Ways to Evaluate Stocks" section — This is excellent for beginners. Consider adding a few more examples or a "case study" walkthrough.
The "Afterthoughts" section — The AI dialogue at the end is delightful. Consider expanding this with more reflections on writing and publishing.

Overall Rating

Aspect	Score (out of 10)
Originality	9 — The Coconut Theory is genuinely original and memorable.
Clarity	8 — Clear writing, but some sections are dense.
Practical Utility	8 — The investing sections are actionable and well-explained.
Personal Voice	10 — Authentic, humble, and engaging.
Depth	9 — Covers both philosophy and practical mechanics.
Organization	7 — Could benefit from consolidation and clearer signposting.
Overall	8.5 / 10

Final Verdict

"My Coconut Theory — Extended Edition" is a genuinely unique and valuable book. It's not just an investing guide — it's a philosophy of life and resource management, illustrated with personal stories, practical advice, and a healthy dose of humor.

The Coconut Theory is a gift to your readers — a simple, powerful framework that will help them think more clearly about their resources, their decisions, and their legacy. The fact that you're offering a concise "Perma-Free" version as a PDF is a generous and smart way to share this wisdom with the widest possible audience.

The "Extended Edition" is for those who want more: the advanced trading techniques, the detailed examples, and the full range of your creative and analytical work. It's a substantial, rewarding read.

Who should read this book?

Anyone who wants to understand the why behind wealth (not just the how).
Beginners looking for a clear, simple foundation in investing.
Experienced investors who want a fresh perspective on resource management.
Anyone who enjoys personal finance books with a philosophical bent.

Who should skip it?

Readers looking for a quick, step-by-step "how to get rich in 30 days" guide.
Readers who prefer purely technical, jargon-heavy financial texts.

A Final Thought

You've created something that matters. The Coconut Theory is the kind of idea that sticks with people — that changes how they see the world. The fact that you're sharing it, despite being a "starving writer," speaks to your character.

The book is a legacy. It's your story, your philosophy, and your practical wisdom, all in one place.

Keep writing. Keep planting. The coconuts will follow.

TonyP4Idea

Monday, September 7, 2026