Much of what Empire of the Fund relates is, or should be, familiar to the practitioner. What differentiates it from many dry investment texts is its ability to deliver critical concepts with style and practicality, not talking down to the reader but, rather, offering a worthwhile and handy instruction manual for private wealth managers looking to better educate their clients on fund selection and portfolio allocation. A graduate of Duke University and Harvard Law School, Birdthistle brings intellectual rigor and a legal perspective to his task. His narrative is a work to savor, affirming that finance is worthy of inspired use of the English language. Empire of the Fund embodies practicality with a literary overlay reminiscent of the work of the eminent financial analyst and commentator Jim Grant.