Im looking for a good book on bonds or fixed income assets?

Basically Im tired of losing money in the stock market.
I have some cash to invest now and am wondering where I can stash USD 500'000 for 6mo. - 5 years and get 4-5% relatively risk free return on investment. Would be nice to preserve assets and put some stability in my normal trading portfolio. Any tips on what to look at or any book you can recommend.
Thanks in advance, Erik

Initially should have started this note with the following advice about bonds that I gleaned from Money magazine over the years .
-- Factor in fees as part of determining which funds to buy.
--Factor credit risk into decision S&P/MOODY A and above good, BB - C are junk/high yield, D are default
-- Factor in Total Return to determine managers aiblity to handle interest risk.
-- Consider bond maturity - Intermediate, short, long
-- Consider Bond Type - Fed, Muni, Corp, Intn'l, high yield MIX you want.


Try looking at these bond funds (have included their stock market symbols) and you should also consider Cd's as well. I have spent 2 weeks researching these funds and many others to determine my best mix for diversity, flexibility, and returns for the last year and five years as well . You need to do the same.

VWEHX PRHYX PREMX VWESX PRPIX VFICX VBLIX VBIIX RPSIX ^TYX

Should have also added that a good way to compare bond funds is to look at their "30 day SEC" returns as this allow you to compare apples to apples. All of the funds HAVE to make them available for review so if you don't see them immediately when comparing on-line call the company and ask for them. Report It

Also noted that VBLIX should read VBLTX.. sorry Report It

Check out zionsdirect.com, I think they have one of the largest online portfolios in the country. If not you will still be able to find some solid information.

well. bonds and fixed incomes are pretty much in the same path as interest rates are forecasted to rise so your investments will lose value again. try bank cd's for up to 1 year at around 4-5% interest but thats just cutting inflation and you are taxed so try trendy companies that are cheap now. youll probably need 10-20 books on it. 1 book aint going to cut it.