The Wall Street Journal Guide to Prophecy

After the financial crisis of 2008, which I'm just guessing was not predicted by either of the authors of this book, and the publication of The Black Swan, the idea that it would be possible to predict the next crisis using a set of 50 economic indicators seems hopelessly naive.  Does the book include chapters on divining rods, knuckle bones, and bird flight?

Dear Reader: Investors know that they should pay attention to well-known economic indicators like inflation and unemployment, but only a smart few look at a broad range of other indicators to see when the next crisis may hit. In THE WALL STREET JOURNAL GUIDE TO THE 50 ECONOMIC INDICATORS THAT REALLY MATTER (Harper Paperbacks; $15.99) Simon Constable, host of The Wall Street Journal's News Hub show, and Dr. Robert Wright, the Nef family chair of political economy at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, provide an entertaining and essential guide to the indicators that you aren't following—but should be if you want to beat the market. "A short, sweet and savvy introduction to economics, indicators and investing." - Nouriel Roubini, chairman and co-founder, Roubini Global Economics Among the essential 50: The Vixen: Also known as the hot-waitress indicator, it tracks the attractiveness of wait staff at your local diner to help you judge where the economy is in the business cycle. Big Mac index: If you're looking for currency trading opportunities, you'll want to understand how the value of a Big Mac differs from nation to nation. Fertility rates: This fecund indicator can lead investors into or out of sectors sensitive to a nation's age structure, like education or health care. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL GUIDE TO THE 50 ECONOMIC INDICATORS THAT REALLY MATTER is available wherever books are sold. To order now, please CLICK HERE: For more information about this and other books from The Wall Street Journal, please drop me an email at: roseellen.d'angelo@wsj.com. Best Regards, Rose Ellen D'Angelo Director, Wall Street Journal Books