Panics in the stock market are nothing new—so what makes the recent events surrounding the credit crisis and Bear Stearns collapse so worrisome? More importantly, what does it mean to you as an individual investor?

In Bailout, John Waggoner—the investment columnist for USA Today—sheds light on the causes of the Bear Stearns collapse and the credit crunch, while offering a glimpse of what the future holds for investors. The fall of Bear Stearns, says Waggoner, signals a new era. Warning readers of the perils that lie ahead—specifically inflation and debt liquidation—he provides solid strategies for investors who want to begin protecting their portfolios. He explains step-by-step how to set short- and long-term investment goals and match your investments to those goals, creating a portfolio that can weather any storm.