Lynch discusses his personal journey into the world of stock investing, emphasizing that there is no inherent talent required for successful stock picking. He debunks the myth of a “hereditary knack” for investing, using his own life as an example of how anyone can learn and succeed in the stock market.

Lynch begins by recounting his childhood, noting that neither his family background nor his early life pointed toward a future in investing. He reflects, “There was no ticker tape above my cradle, nor did I teethe on the stock pages in the precocious way that baby Pelé supposedly bounced a soccer ball” (47). He believes that investing skills are not innate but developed through experience and learning.

He describes his early exposure to the stock market, which came from caddying at a golf course where he interacted with successful businessmen. This experience challenged his family’s distrust of the stock market and piqued his interest in investing. Lynch credits caddying not only for giving him insight into the world of finance but also for teaching him valuable life lessons about money and success.

Lynch made his first stock purchase, Flying Tiger Airlines, based on research, albeit with a flawed premise. However, it turned out to be a profitable investment, reinforcing his belief in the potential of the stock market.