A Living Tribute, by Marjorie Kondrack

I have always thought that words matter.  To this end, I have followed a few financial writers whom I have admired, and whose advice I trust.  Each one has a singular quality:  one was a brilliant market  analyst, one had an uncommon knowledge of investing, and another a well known market strategist.  All were trusted providers of market analysis to the world’s  most well known institutional investors.

I found one person who is the whole package.  He is Jonathan Clements. Among his writing talents, Jonathan can untangle unnecessary words, pompous frills and unnecessary jargon.  He has the ability to strip every sentence to its cleanest components.  Not a word is wasted.

Jonathan has the uncanny ability to distill complex thoughts and ideas and break them down in a clear, simple way. Clear thinking becomes clear writing.  And In his creativity, he continues to find new ways to convey endless information.

So many writers have a style I call herky-jerky. Their thoughts may be interesting and worthy of our attention—but there is a disconnect in their delivery.  A hallmark of Jonathan’s writing is a quality I long to possess—his ability to smoothly connect his thoughts.

In addition to his financial writing, Jonathan is capable of writing about human nature, with all of its foibles, and flaws, often connecting folks financial idiosyncrasies with their quirky characteristics.  He manages to make sense of it all with his contemplative reflections.

Some of the best gifts of words are ones we can share with the person we honor while they’re still alive.  Thanks, Jonathan,—Clarity, simplicity and humanity are the hallmarks of your writing.  Of Equal importance, your compassionate and humble nature.

I hope you have many more years to share your talents with us, enjoy your family, and eat heaps of French fries.