Book Description

One of the most widely read books among active option traders around the world, Option Volatility & Pricing has been completely updated to reflect the most current developments and trends in option products and trading strategies.

Featuring:

• Pricing models
• Volatility considerations
• Basic and advanced trading strategies
• Risk management techniques
• And more!

Written in a clear, easy-to-understand fashion, Option Volatility & Pricing points out the key concepts essential to successful trading. Drawing on his experience as a professional trader, author Sheldon Natenberg examines both the theory and reality of option trading. He presents the foundations of option theory explaining how this theory can be used to identify and exploit trading opportunities. Option Volatility & Pricing teaches you to use a wide variety of trading strategies and shows you how to select the strategy that best fits your view of market conditions and individual risk tolerance.

New sections include:

• Expanded coverage of stock option
• Strategies for stock index futures and options
• A broader, more in-depth discussion volatility
• Analysis of volatility skews
• Intermarket spreading with options

Reviews (32)

Great book for prospective traders
With the popularity rise in options and option strategies, I must admit this is a great book to get started with. I am a clerk at the CBOE and have studied this book thoroughly, and in my experience it's the best options tutorial out there. I have also sampled the John Hull book and the official Options Institute book. The writing is very readable and it does not bog you down with overly complex derivations of each formula (there is an appendix that does derive and explain the details of the Black and Scholes model though.)

If you're serious about trading I highly recommend reading this book first - it'll be a useful tool. Working at CBOE I have seen many other clerks studying their Natenberg books during the slower times. Learning arb (hand signaling) and understanding what you are arbing are the keys for a successful options trader. This can be useful for someone just getting started in options as well or with prior experience.

Must reading in order to move up to the next level...
There is a reason why almost all of the reviews of this book are in the Excellent range. It simply is a must read for anyone who wants to be serious about trading options and making intelligent trades. While the book is designed for those on the technical side of trading, it is also a gold mine for those of us simply trading options to make money! Natenberg explains concepts that are essential for the layman to be aware of in order to understand the market. The book is well worth the price just for his discussion of the normal distribution and of how it relates to volatility and investing in options. College statistics teachers could learn how to present this important concept in a meaningful way just by reading this chapter! It is easy to take the information from this book and use Excel to write a program to figure the expected price swings for any stock option based upon its volatiltiy. While the average options trader will not need to master much of the detail in the book, the simple awareness presented here will make you a better and more confident trader. By combining the ideas from this book with those from Max Ansbacher's The New Options Market, you can be in a powerful position to deal effectively in the options market.

Great options book
Perhaps the most amazing success story in the markets and investing in the last 10 or 15 years is the growth of the options market, and the advent of inexpensive trading for derivatives such as options, allowing even the small and amateur investor to use these vehicles if he or she wants. I've read that the options market has grown more than ten-fold since the 80s, even more so than the stock market. This book will help you advance your knowledge of this important area of the market.

This is one of the few really high-level options books that are understandable without advanced math. I have a couple of other books on options and derivatives, and they require advanced calculus. It's still geared toward the professional, but as an amateur I still found it interesting and worthwhile reading. Be advised you'll probably still need to read an introductory book or two on options before tackling this volume, which is what I did. But after absorbing those two books, I found I had the background to read and appreciate Natenberg's book. Natenberg discusses all the advanced concepts so you learn such things as how to do butterfly option spreads, synthetic puts and calls, volatility spreads, how to remain delta and gamma neutral, and other such advanced concepts. Overall a great book and essential reading for anyone who wants a better understanding of this important area.

Option Volatility & Pricing: Advanced Trading Strategies and
Natenberg has done an excellent job in presenting this book on options. He has very successfully combined theory with practical ideas and examples in the most important area for users of options to get their head around, volatility. Natenberg does well explaining the differences between the different modelling techniques. An excellent book.

Good High Level book
This is a good book if you are just starting out and don't want a lot of mathematics. Gives strong high level understanding of how options work. Especially good descriptions of greeks and their behaviors. ... Read more

Book Description

Analysis of Financial Management 7e is a paperback text and has been written to present standard techniques and modern developments in a practical and intuitive manner. It is intended for non-financial managers and business students interested in the practice of financial management. Emphasis is on the managerial applications of financial analysis. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Invaluable
Although at first I didn't really need this book, my friend recommended it to me. From the first reading, it surprised me, how good and interesting the book is! Glad I read this book.

The book explains many concepts in corporate finance, from the usual stuffs like DCF, cost of capital, risk, to much more difficult issues like business restructuring, in a very interesting, practical and readable way. Coupled with real world examples like the Time-Warner case, this book is clearly a must for those who want to built a strong foundation in finance.

The best introduction to basic financial management.
This book is required at Harvard Business School and is used at top B-schools and bank management trainee programs around the country.
I used the book during my MBA program, even though it was not required. My study group members always requested that I bring it to group meetings. I even had a classmate approach the author (who happens to be my father) at my graduation and ask for his autograph.
The book introduces complex finance concepts like net present value in non-academese language and the real-world examples reinforce the concepts.
I strongly recommend this textbook to anyone preparing to enter business school or embarking on a job in financial analysis.
Professor Higgins is a beloved teacher at his home institution, the University of Washington. You can share in a little of his vast expertise and gift for teaching by reading his book, Analysis for Financial Management.

One of a kind
A book that every prospective MBA should have, as it is very clear and gives a lot of resource listings and examples. Recommended for anyone that need to deal with financial issues.

What makes it even better, is that it lives up to its back cover: it turns Finance into Management, or at least tries very hard to show what a CFOs life is really about, in practical examples.

Very strongly recommended for people that need to understand what being a CFO is about (all prospective MBAs) or people that need to understand what choices sometimes have to be made in finance.

Excellent introduction to finance
I used the fifth edition of this wonderful book for the MBA Program at the Darden School at the University of Virginia and found it to be a great introduction to the field of finance. I also used the fifth edition to supplement my study materials for the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Program and found it to be of great value.

This is, in my opinion, one of the best introductory books related to finance on the market today.

Good book for non-accounting majors
The author is confused about why accountants do what they do with their "numbers" so he tries his best to relate it in terms of logic. Good intro and overview for my MBA class. ... Read more

Book Description

From the New Yorker to USA Today, everyone from journalists to market pros are turning to behavioral finance to explain, analyze, and predict market direction. In contrast to old-school assumptions of cool-headed rationality, the new behavioral school embraces hot-blooded human irrationality as a core feature of both individuals and financial markets. The 2002 Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to scholars of this new scientific approach to irrationality.

In Mean Markets and Lizard Brains, Terry Burnham–an economist who has a proven ability to translate complex topics into everyday language–reveals the biological causes of irrationality. The human brain contains ancient structures that exert powerful and often unconscious influences on behavior. This "lizard brain" may have helped our ancestors eat and reproduce, but it wreaks havoc with our finances. Going far beyond cataloguing our financial foibles, Dr. Burnham applies this novel approach to all of today’s most important financial topics– the stock market, the economy, real estate, bonds, mortgages, inflation, and savings.

This broad and scholarly investigation provides an in-depth look at why manias, panics, and crashes happen, why people are built to want to buy at irrationally high prices and sell at irrationally low prices. Most importantly, by incorporating the new science of irrationality, readers can position themselves to profit from financial markets that often seem downright mean. Mean Markets and Lizard Brains skillfully identifies the craziness that is part of human nature, helps us see it in ourselves, and then shows us how to profit from a world that doesn’t always make sense.

Terry Burnham, PhD (Cambridge, MA), is an economist at the Harvard Business School. He has been an active and extremely successful participant in the financial markets for over 20 years. Dr. Burnham has a PhD in business economics from Harvard University, a masters in finance from MIT, an MS in computer science from San Diego State University, and a BS in biophysics from the University of Michigan. Before becoming an economics professor at Harvard, he worked on Wall Street, and was the President and CFO of a successful start-up biotechnology firm. He is the author of the bestselling book Mean Genes: From Sex to Money to Food, Taming Our Primal Instincts. ... Read more

Book Description

John Meriwether, a famously successful Wall Street trader, spent the 1980s as a partner at Salomon Brothers, establishing the best--and the brainiest--bond arbitrage group in the world. A mysterious and shy midwesterner, he knitted together a group of Ph.D.-certified arbitrageurs who rewarded him with filial devotion and fabulous profits. Then, in 1991, in the wake of a scandal involving one of his traders, Meriwether abruptly resigned. For two years, his fiercely loyal team--convinced that the chief had been unfairly victimized--plotted their boss's return. Then, in 1993, Meriwether made a historic offer. He gathered together his former disciples and a handful of supereconomists from academia and proposed that they become partners in a new hedge fund different from any Wall Street had ever seen. And so Long-Term Capital Management was born.
        In a decade that had seen the longest and most rewarding bull market in history, hedge funds were the ne plus ultra of investments: discreet, private clubs limited to those rich enough to pony up millions. They promised that the investors' money would be placed in a variety of trades simultaneously--a "hedging" strategy designed to minimize the possibility of loss. At Long-Term, Meriwether & Co. truly believed that their finely tuned computer models had tamed the genie of risk, and would allow them to bet on the future with near mathematical certainty. And thanks to their cast--which included a pair of future Nobel Prize winners--investors believed them.
        From the moment Long-Term opened their offices in posh Greenwich, Connecticut, miles from the pandemonium of Wall Street, it was clear that this would be a hedge fund apart from all others. Though they viewed the big Wall Street investment banks with disdain, so great was Long-Term's aura that these very banks lined up to provide the firm with financing, and on the very sweetest of terms. So self-certain were Long-Term's traders that they borrowed with little concern about the leverage. At first, Long-Term's models stayed on script, and this new gold standard in hedge funds boasted such incredible returns that private investors and even central banks clamored to invest more money. It seemed the geniuses in Greenwich couldn't lose.
        Four years later, when a default in Russia set off a global storm that Long-Term's models hadn't anticipated, its supposedly safe portfolios imploded. In five weeks, the professors went from mega-rich geniuses to discredited failures. With the firm about to go under, its staggering $100 billion balance sheet threatened to drag down markets around the world. At the eleventh hour, fearing that the financial system of the world was in peril, the Federal Reserve Bank hastily summoned Wall Street's leading banks to underwrite a bailout.
        Roger Lowenstein, the bestselling author of Buffett, captures Long-Term's roller-coaster ride in gripping detail. Drawing on confidential internal memos and interviews with dozens of key players, Lowenstein crafts a story that reads like a first-rate thriller from beginning to end. He explains not just how the fund made and lost its money, but what it was about the personalities of Long-Term's partners, the arrogance of their mathematical certainties, and the late-nineties culture of Wall Street that made it all possible.
        When Genius Failed is the cautionary financial tale of our time, the gripping saga of what happened when an elite group ofinvestors believed they could actually deconstruct risk and use virtually limitless leverage to create limitless wealth. In Roger Lowenstein's hands, it is a brilliant tale peppered with fast money, vivid characters, and high drama. ... Read more

Reviews (114)

Engrossing read
The author gives an engrossing read about the LTCM debacle in this book. His writing style, in my opinion, really captures my attention and almost turns the book into a Grisham-style page-turner. After reading the book, you will have a better idea of the reasons why the fund failed. Also, you will gain more qualitative knowledge about hedge funds, derivatives markets and investing in general. However, if you are looking for equations and quantitative stuff, then sorry man, you will be greatly disappointed. Don't expect to find the Black-Scholes equation here. Nor do I think it's necessary. As a finance student, I'm tired of having to know the complex equations and quantitative stuff inside-out, without the slightest idea of how they should be used and their limitations.
If you have the basic idea or training in quantitative finance, the this book is a must-read. It sheds light on the untold stories in derivatives trading. The downfall of LTCM should be a very somber and sobering reminder of the limitations of the derivatives markets. Too much credit is given to "risk management" and "quantitative finance". I think every portfolio manager and derivatives trader should keep this in mind.

BIG MEN MAKE SMALL MISTAKES!
Small traders who break the simple rules are called 'dumb' by the professionals in the industry in their magazine articles, interviews on radio & TV etc. Here we have a group of top academics including Nobel Prize winners in economics who headed a firm that made some of the most silly 'mistakes' that caused them to lose over FOUR BILLION DOLLARS1 The reason: simple over-trading and mis-management of funds - just what the little guy is always told not to do!

This book gives a brief introduction to the various players involved. It gives an indicationl of the greed involved, not only by over-leveraging but by forcing investors to take back their money so the partners could put all their money in the fund and make all the profits for themselves. Interestingly, they did these people a great favor by preventing them from going broke.

Later in the book, when the crisis is really brought forward, we are given a detail day to day account of the stress and problems that the fund managers were creating for themselves and the rest of Wall Street as many banks and other financial institutions had tied up hundreds of millions with this firm. In the end the Federal Reserve arranged a bailout with fourteen major banks to save day.

Ironically, the super-losers went and created another fund after this big crash and sure enough they raised a few hundred millions in trading capital so the 'bright' fellows can get running again!

Not enough Cream on the Coffee
1997, 30 year Treasury Bonds Fell to 5.58; traders were selling short to hedge against riskier bonds, treasuries rallied and spreads increased between bonds; Japanese bonds dropped opposite of the bet by LTCM.

Blame the Asian flu, IMF unresponsiveness, and Salomon Barney Smith abandonment of its arbitrage positions as causes for the evaporation of 4 billion dollars LTCM within months. LTCM was too big, possessing $128 billion in assets and $3.6 billion in the bank and 2/5 of money belonging to the owners. Notation derivates reaching leverage 100 to 1 preventing rapid sell off and bankruptcy out of question, for bankruptcy would have caused a world cascade economic crash and loses reaching above $1 trillion. Bankruptcy was not an option; LTCM was too big to fail and the Fed knew it. LTCM only chance was too secure money from warranties, loans, or a buy out; none of which in the end would save them. In the end, the Feds 16 banks would invest $250 million each with a total accumulation of $4 billion dollars rescuing LTCM and the partners would leave with relatively nothing in their pockets. How did smartest guys on Wall Street fail? How did the impossible happen?

1997, Indonesia, Rupiah dropped 85 percent as currency traders forced devaluation revealing a corrupt banking practices and overextension of bad credit; volatility rose to 27 percent.

1998 LTCM bet that no future recession would occur and believed the Bond margins would narrow. Instead, the world economy were experience new global forces as communism was breaking down, China's GNP was heating up, and East Germany was experiencing new economic freedoms. A U.S - 56 point margin increase on the swap, England - 45 point margin, and German - 20 point margin and LTCM was losing money on all of its markets. LTCM had previously negotiated a warrant by UBS and UBS was being seriously exposed while LTCM was claiming "Future expected returns are good" although Equity Volume was in trouble, Swap margins were increasing, and Treasuries were falling as investors fled to safer securities and as Treasuries were being bought up their rates dropping to 5.56.

With Indonesia falling - all eyes were turned to Russia. There was no rescue by the IMF for the Russian ruble. Shares in Europe and Turkey were weak and Venezuelans were buying dollars all the while swaps margins increased. Aug 21, the Dow fell 280 points and investors continued to prefer the safest bonds, the 30 year treasures, US swaps increased to 76 points, 20 points in one day, Britain swaps increased to 62 points and mortgage spreads spread to 121 points, high yield climbed to 276, and treasurers were at 13. LTCM lost $558 million in a single day, 15 percent of their capital. LTCM was certain the markets would correct rationally and the spreads converge. Losses accumulated faster because leverages increased. Additional $200 million in funding was requested from Merrill Lynch. Hedge funds were not considered a bank and so credit extension regulation was constrained. The drop in LTCM performance caused banks to tighten their credit lines to hedge funds. In fact, the hedge funds poor performance screamed default and banks demanded their entitlement to repayment. LTCM was very close to insolvency. Mattone told Meriwether, "when you're down by half, people figure you can go down all the way" and "your out". Aug 31, the DOW crashed 512 points, Hong Kong Authority stopped supporting local markets by buying local shares. For the month of Aug, LTCM had lost $1.9 billion, 45 percent of its equity capital, and still had $125 billion in derivative assets. Death was imminent, the leveraging could not be stopped, LTCM was immobilized by its size, and Bear was threatening to suspend trading. After reviewing LTCM books, Bear allowed LTCM trades and gave a harsh warning, if they dropped below $500 million all trades would halt.

Sep 10, LTCM experiences a sum lose of $500 million dollar for five days of trading. LTCM still has 7,000 derivative contracts totaling $1.4 trillion dollars.

In 1987, Alan Greenspan was appointed as chairman of the Federal Reserves. Greenspan did not totally understand hedge funds, they were fairly private, and the Fed had no authority over them. Greenspan was nervous about the credit lines extended too these funds. Some call the funds, banks. What were the hedge funds? What is a bank?

The New York Fed keeps in touch with its branches and they talk with private industry, so supposedly the Fed keeps a pulse on the private sector. The Fed has a trading desk and trades $450 billions in treasuries, buying and selling to affect the amount of available money supply. If the Fed buys treasures, this act increase money supply and gives banks more money for banks to loan, and interest rates decrease. If the Fed buys back treasures, this act decrease money supply and makes less available loanable money and interest rates rise.

The volatility of LTCM was rising because it was so vulnerable. LTCM was being pressured by Goldman as they continued buying down increasing spreads. Goldman exasperated the European bond market cutting apart LTCM.

Warren Buffet was a seemly friend but of no help to LTCM. Berkshire Hathaway made an offer: 250 million for $3.57 billion to stabilize the fund and all partners fired. Legal confusion forfeited the deal. The last thing the economy wanted was an economic meltdown, so the Fed offered a deal and the LTCM partners were out in the cold with tears in their eyes, a perfect model (Merton, Black, Scholes) and not enough liquid money to save them against the impossible.

"...in crisis, correlations go to 1"
The author of this book is a journalist - not a trader or banker - and it's helpful to remember that as you read through this moralistic account of LTCM's rise and fall.

Lowenstein has the audacity to write of Merton, a Nobel Laureate, that he held a "naive belief in perfect markets." Perfect markets may be mythical, but the author is not qualified to call this view naive. The output of the model is as important as the tenability of its' assumptions.

In the end, the fund was too big and successful, not hubristic, to remain in its' sphere of expertise (bond arbitrage) and was forced to become the 800-pound gorilla in other markets like merger arbitrage. Yes, the top two traders were arrogant (a requirement for traders) but the markets broke the fund, not Hilibrand and Haghani.

More details on the transactions would have been interesting but these may have burdened the flow of the book.

There are copious footnotes and the author does a nice job of outlining the players and their stakes in the fund.

Ideology and greed defy common sense
There should be a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach as you read this book. Long-Term Capital Management was almost guaranteed to fail from its outset and, when the end finally did come, the fund's collapse almost took a big chunk of Wall Street with it. The scary part is that there are more LTCMs out there, operating without regulatory oversight and all subject to wrong-headed economic hypothesizing as the basis for their trading operations.

The poison pill at the center of Long-Term Capital Management's very being was the efficient market theory, an almost universal belief among economists and financiers alike that free markets always operate in the most effective, logical manner possible over the long term. They don't, of course, and that refusal to acknowledge fundamental human irrationality led LTCM over the brink.

Lowenstein does an outstanding job of untangling the fund's complicated derivatives trades and explaining how the fund eventually over-leveraged itself into a sudden collapse. We normally read business stories like this for the thrill of seeing moral hazard at work, seeing the rich fall from grace and thinking how well-deserved that fate is. I would recommend, however, that you approach this book as a template for how the next Great Depression could spring from the simultaneous self-destruction of derivatives trading firms. And thanks to Roger Lowenstein, you don't have to be a genius to see how it could happen. ... Read more

Book Description

Intermediate microeconomics is both fun and intellectually challenging in this new edition, written by the author of The Armchair Economist, the popular trade book that explains basic economics to the general public. The text provides an exceptionally friendly and application-rich presentation, combined with a rigorous and careful development of microeconomic theory. All of the standard topics of intermediate price theory are included, as well as innovative topics such as alternative normative criteria, efficient asset markets, contestable markets, antitrust law, human capital, and the demand for public goods. A unique unifying theme of social welfare is used with little higher-level mathematics. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Excellent book for beginners
This is one of the best books I have ever read. Anyone who is just beginning with microeconomics, should start with this book. It is very simple and goes right to the point.

Very readable and challenging textbook
This is an excellent textbook for any intermediate level price theory or microeconomics course. The author is right when he says beginning students should find it easy to grasp and advanced students will find the material challenging and thought provoking. The portion devoted to a review of elementary topics is small, and I would not recommend this book as an introduction to economics. Any undergraduate who encounters this book should breathe a sigh of relief - it is definitely one of the better texts in the subject. Instructors looking for a good textbook would do well to choose this one.

The "study guide" that is sometimes packaged with the textbook is not entirely useful; the number of problems actually in the textbook should be more than sufficient. Overall, this is a great survey of price theory with Landsburg's signature examples and interesting applications.

I agree! Excellent textbook!
I recommend this book for some undergraduate student to take an intermediate microeconomics! Lucid explanation and some pictures are the finest.His another work, Armchair economist,is also nice. Randsburg did many good jobs!

Excellent text
I have only read two textbooks in my life that I would recommend to the public in general. This is one. If you have never studied economics, start here. Extremely readable. Note in particular the discussion on whether college should be outlawed (Chapter 9, "Knowledge and Information"), the tragic story of Treasury Bill #GS7-2-179-46-6606-1 (Chapter 17, "Allocating Goods over Time") and the Pigs-in-the-Box problem (Chapter 12, "Game Theory"). Don't succumb to the Nash equilibrium! Read Price Theory.

great!!
One of the best books on Price Theory. He really elucidates the subject matter. The questions given at the end of the chapters challenge you to the limit. ... Read more

Book Description

Use a 5-Step Process to Transform Your Business--and Your Life! If you've ever yearned for a business that would energize rather than drain you, if you've ever known and admired someone who made financial services look easy and fun, then you're ready to learn a new way to market. A way that doesn't require so much of your time and energy. A way that requires less effort. Effort-Less Marketing is based on author Steve Moeller's extensive research and refinement of the best strategies to build a financial advisory practice, as well as key marketing principles that work just as well for financial advisors as they do for such customer-savvy giants as Saturn and Nike. You'll toss aside conventional, exhausting sales techniques for a newer, easier way. With these 5 steps, you'll take the guesswork out of reaching the wealthiest and most enjoyable clients, make referral-gathering a no-brainer, and completely revitalize your business. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Essential Material for the Client-centered Financial Advisor
I have read this book several times, attended the personal coaching sessions, and have applied the principles prescribed in this book to become a "client-centered" financial advisor. Steve gathers material and ideas from some of the best minds in the financial services industry and combines them with his own original marketing concepts to deliver the premier book for financial advisors dedicated to long-term success in the business. Application of the ideas in this book will propel you to become a vision vanguard for a higher level of performance and vision. The book is a complete guide from beginning to end on how to set yourself apart from the old way of transaction-based relationships to the more client-centered fee-based relationships, which is a long-term "win, win" situation. Buy it, read it, and apply it, you won't regret it.

A "How To" book for financial advisors
Steve Moellers book provides a template for financial advisors to follow if they are serious about growing their business. Although advisors may benefit more by hiring Mr. Moeller as a consultant, this book is an excellent resource for the "do-it-yourself'er" or the advisor that simply wants to focus on specific elements of business improvement i.e. image, publicity, marketing etc.

Especially valuable for those advisors who focus on "the sale", and neglect the 4 critical steps that lead up to that event.

I will continue to use the book as a reference in my annual business planning process.

Mark Garrod The Practical Investor, LLC mgarrod@sigmarep.com

Whatever your profession, you should read this book!
Moeller makes a persuasive case for a client-centered marketing approach. Seemlessly weaving the theoretical with the practical, he provides concrete examples of how to cultivate the relationships necessary for a thriving, client-centered business. Although written for financial advisors, this book's principles apply to any profession in which success demands a strong client relationship. I am an attorney (and not a financial advisor). Nevertheless, client-centered marketing is crucial to my practice. I recommend this book to all professionals.

The Best Financial Marketing Book Ever Written.
Effort-Less Marketing for Financial Advisor by Steve Moeller is simply the most powerful material ever presented on marketing the Number One investment service that wealthy clients seek more than anything else - a relationship with a trusted advisor. Advisors that learn and practice Steve's methods for developing a vision of success, identifying ideal target markets and positioning to attract the most desirable clients in their area will be stunned at their effectiveness. Beyond that they will love the enjoyment and satisfaction that it will bring to their personal and professional life.

As a consultant, I have used the power of Steve's approach with many financial advisors and asset management firms across the country. It works incredibly well for both. The reason is simple; it is built on sound, fundamental marketing principles that have worked for major business around the world for years. The secret of Effort-Less Marketing is that Steve has, in his 15 plus years of experience in financial service marketing, refined and tailored these principles to meet some of the unique needs of financial service professionals.

I have personally worked with and observed many individual advisors that have seen their business skyrocket using Steve's concepts. I have also used this material to help nationally marketed asset management firms significantly ramp up distribution as well as the value of their firm.

Following the processes in Effort-Less Marketing is also "effortless" because Steve encourages and lays out specific methodologies for any advisor to build a business based on their own personal passions and their ideal clients. The book provides a truly holistic approach for financial advisors that want to build a highly profitable business that also supports their own values, lifestyle and personal pursuits. What could be better?

Steve's program is easy to understand and simple to individualize. He is one of the most organized people I have ever met. The book reflects this. Steve clearly understands the importance of systems for financial advisors and the power that results from successful implementation of approaches that work. This book will help any advisor bring clarity and organization into one of the most difficult but highest payoff areas of their business - marketing.

Effort-Less Marketing contains stories, forms and assignments that can assure any advisor of making substantial strides in their business. The support doesn't stop here. Steve's company, American Business Visions has other services and product that can support the growth of most advisors. They are the cutting edge of financial marketing. And, if you want to undergo a truly life changing experience, I strongly recommend that you look into the Effort-Less Marketing coaching program offered by Steve's company. It is a phenomenal experience. It will help you take all the information available in the book and launch your business to places and levels you never dreamed of. I know because I recently decided to re-enter that retail market place so I enrolled in the program myself.

My only caution is that if you like ruts, grinding out cold calls and hanging out in a stiff, stoic environment that is chaotic, causes stress, and gives you little satisfaction, you may want to skip this book. I personally know several advisors that are having more fun in their business and life than they could have ever imagined. Their clients are ecstatic with the service they receive and credit their advisors with help them enjoying their money more and pursue their dreams. The process can be addicting. We don't want too many happy advisors running around out there. It could ruin the public's image of financial advisors and undo the tradition of "sell product, sell product, sell product" that has been a hallmark of the financial industry.

This is THE marketing book for financial advisors.
Steve Moeller has one of the brighest marketing minds in the financial services industry today. If you are a financial advisor and want to improve the quality of the relationships you have with your clients, and create a wonderful life for yourself - this is the book to buy, read, and study. Better yet, enroll in his coaching course. Steve's ideas and strategies can change your life for the better! ... Read more

Book Description

Essentials of Corporate Finance, 4/e by Ross, Westerfield, and Jordan is written to convey the most important concepts and principles of corporate finance at a level that is approachable for a wide audience.The authors retain their modern approach to finance, but have distilled the subject down to the essential topics in 18 chapters.They believe that understanding the "why" is just as important, if not more so, than understanding the "how," especially in an introductory course.Three basic themes emerge as their central focus: 1. An emphasis on intuition¿separate and explain the principles at work on a common sense, intuitive level before launching into specifics.Underlying ideas are discussed first in general terms, then followed by specific examples that illustrate in more concrete terms how a financial manager might proceed in a given situation 2. A unified valuation approach¿Net Present Value is treated as the basic concept underlying corporate finance.Every subject the authors cover is firmly rooted in valuation, and care is taken to explain how decisions have valuation effects. 3. A managerial focus¿Students learn that financial management concerns management.The role of financial manager as decision maker is emphasized and they stress the need for managerial input and judgment. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

good book worth the price
Very good intro book that is easy to read and easy to understand.
Book takes a very basic approach to explaining things so as students not familiar with finance can easily grasp the concepts. Use of color a nice touch compared to older black & white texts, also lots of recent events (Enron/MCI/M.Stewart) are discussed along with subtle references to Metallica, NIN, Bowie, etc...
Lots of hints that tie in excel and the web, even an appendix section on how to use your financial calculator. Good 'preview' book to their more exhaustive book aptly titled 'Corporate Finance'
Power web OK, but could be better. CD-Rom has good practice questions especially if instructor uses test bank.

Expensive, but insightful.
Ross, Westerfield, and Jordan are recognized experts in the field of corporate finance who have produced a solid textbook for any finance student. The format of this book is easy to follow, with many relevant case studies, insightful real-world applications, and how-to sections that give hints on applying techniques to your own real-world problems. The authors are particularly adept at providing a survey of a topic, then systematically drilling down into significant detail on the mechanics of a particular finance technique. Often, these drill-downs end with, "And here's an example of how to do it in Excel..."

Overall, a helpful book for the student of corporate finance. As is typical with any textbook, the CDROM is probably helpful, but vastly underused by most students reading this book. The price for the content of the book is in-line with that of most business textbooks. That is, slightly overpriced. If textbook money is tight, a student could get by with a 3rd edition of this book without affecting performance in the course. ... Read more

Book Description

Essentials of Health Care Finance stands firm in its place as the leading textbook in its coverage of health care finance. No other text so completely blends the best of current finance theory with the tools needed in day-to-day practice. This timely revision includes 20 chapters that encompass virtually the entire spectrum of the health care industry-- providing new and expanded information reflecting payment system changes in the industry and broadening content and examples to include hospitals, as well as organizations in other sectors of the health care industry. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Essentials of Health Care Finance
I bought the book of Essentials of Health Care Finance, it was delivered on time, however, some papers insided the book are very dirty, I can see the brown oily figure prints. I wish that I can exchange the book ...

Troubling Guide to Alien Territory
This books offers a broad coverage of health care topics for a non-financial person. It is most deeply flawed for its inability to communicate clearly to a lay person. Essentially it is a vocabulary primer of important financial principles and concepts. It requires abstract thinking and the ability to follow mathematical models.

This reader studied Cleverly's text as a requirement for a healthcare finance class. The text was frustrating as this reader attempted to "know" everything about healthcare finances; however, this is probably not the intent of the book. It does present a road into the foreign land of finances. It demands respect for another set of data and another language for interpreting that data. One does not master this data set at one pass, however.

Nevertheless, this reader did gain some new financial information. At the risk of being simplistic, but communicative; a listing of some of the concepts learned follows:

1. There are many users of financial information.

2. Financial information can guide the formation of programs.

3. Financial management is essential for successful healthcare organizations.

4. Various qualities of health care organization types.

5. How health care organizations make up for discouting and bad debt and capitated payments.

6. General principles of accounting and why they are important. Also that these principles still need to be explained, to be consistent, and to be clarified.

7. Overview of four main types of financial statements with a brief explanation of vaious line items.

8. That financial planning includes considering inflation before it happens, and for equipment etc. to break and wear out before it breaks or wears out.

9. That financial information can be better understood by comparing financial ratios of different line items and trends over time. There are national benchmarking ratios available and Cleverly gives some and tells how to get more.

10. That financial planning should be an orderly process in an organization.

11. There are different types of costs. Some stay the same, some are overhead types. Some are direct, some are hidden. Some can be controlled, some cannot.

12. Figuring out prices is a very complex process in healthcare. It is based on costs and payers. It must also include indirect costs and costs of future problems.

13. There is still stuff to learn . . . And this reader is still no expert.

Finally, after this MSN course and this text, this reader is more conversant with the financial landscape. It holds interest and it is understandable, after all.

Not for beginners
I have finished about 5 different chapters for a Masters degree course I am taking. This book is not for beginners! I am an RN and have been working in business for 10 years. The author assumes that you have had basic accounting and the terminology is unfamiliar. There are very few examples given so it is hard to take the information and see how it is really used. I have had to buy another book just so that I could understand this book.

Mr. Cleverley is the guru of healthcare finance
This book represents the foundation on which all healthcare organizations should examine their financial strength and management. While not for beginners, it provides a comprehensive overview of reporting and benchmarks that prove invaluable during the budgeting process and for financial control.

Difficult to read for beginners
I can not give a completer review as I am still reading this book. I will say the majority of my friends reading this book at the same time as I am are having a difficult time following and understanding the principles discussed. I think it is just not as basic as it could have started to give the beginner a better foundation. Also a glossary of terms would have been a tremendous help. ... Read more

Book Description

This leading Corporate Finance text is designed for the first course at the MBA level but is certainly used at many undergraduate programs as well. CORPORATE FINANCE emphasizes the modern fundamentals of the theory of finance. The authors make the theory come to life through the use of contemporary examples, clarity of exposition, and a balanced presentation of theory and practice. The authors consistently use the intuitions of arbitrage, net present value, efficient markets and options throughout the text. The goal of this text is to present corporate finance as the working of a small number of integrated and powerful intuitions. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

This is THE book for serious study of corporate finance !
I am a student with science background. When I started my research on corporate finance, I had ZERO knowledge of investment and business ! I have tried very hard to swallow through the famous Bryley and Myers text recommended by my supervisor, and what I can conclude was : boy, is this how finance people write their text ? After beating about the bush for tens of pages, you still have no idea what they are talking about !

Thankfully this book by Ross and also another by Haim Levy save my day and correct my almost biased opinion about business academics (disorganized to the extent that can't even produce an honest and sincere introduction of finance with clarity and organized structure, that I sometimes wonder do these people know their work or not ?).

Really I don't know why some people discount Ross completely, because this is really one of the more decent and organized texts available about corporate finance. Anyone who wants to have serious learning about corporate finance should really take a look at Ross and also Haim Levy. Have patience and you will see where the author is leading you to. I am speaking from someone with ZERO background and experience in finance and business.

Big, thick, loaded and somewhat confusing in parts
The authors have tried to cram all the theories and ideas of corporate finance in one single volume- they did a commendable job, but has made it too burdensome for MBA students who have to cover the whole book in a single semester. The initial chapters are a joy to read, but it all becomes unstuck when the reader reaches Part IV (Capital Structure and Dividend Policy). Then the authors become somewhat vague and make a heavy weather of explaining the important topic. That is the reason why I could not give five stars to an otherwise excellent book. The initial three parts viz. Overview, Value and Capital Budgeting, and Risk introduce novices gently to the basic concepts and tools. The writing is wordy, but very simple, and it never becomes irksome to the reader.The part on options is detailed enough to give the reader a basic idea of derivatives and will set him/her up nicely for future courses in advanced finance. On the whole, the book is much more detailed and easily acceptable than the other "classic" viz. Brealey and Myers. The best fact is that the authors are not writing for financial experts, but for people who are new to finance. Possibly, this is the best introductory textbook on corporate finance available today.

Excellent Introduction to Finance, and a Good Reference
First off, I never had any particular interest in the area of Finance. I simply purchased this book as a required text for the core finance course in my MBA program. All in all, I was very pleasantly surprised. The course was very informative, with a top-notch professor leading us through the material. But even more than the lectures, this book was my primary resource for guiding me through the principles of Corporate Finance. Ross does a great job of clearly explaining each topic, then supporting his explanation with effective examples.

Even though the book is well written, I can't deny that it was still challenging for a finance novice, such as myself. But Ross's clean, to-the-point style was a refreshing way for me to approach a previously unknown topic.

Of all my textbooks, I typically keep about half of them as references, and sell the rest. This book is definitely a keeper.

One of the Best
Along with Brigham's MBA text, this book is one of the elites for an MBA finance course. One thing many of the negative reviewers don't seem to realize is that this is for graduate students. If you've never had an undergraduate class in finance, you don't belong in a course using this book. If you don't know the principles of finance or how to use your calculator/spreadsheet, that is your problem. You're a graduate student - grow up and prepare yourself for graduate study!

For students who are ready for graduate study, this book is wonderful. It is complete in its coverage of corporate finance topics, and it provides ample practice problems and end-of-chapter exercises to test your understanding along the way. The CFA exam recommends this as the basic reference book for exam preparation because, comparatively speaking, it is very user friendly.

Those who complain about the level of difficulty or the lack of "entertainment" value need to learn how to take responsibility for STUDYING a text instead of just reading it. Either that or move to a discipline that is less rigorous. The books only get more difficult to handle as you work your way up in finance.

dont buy this book
This is the WORST book I have used in my study of finance. It is full of errors and it is written in such a way that it is extremely hard to understand for an average student. There are lots of calculations that are unexplained, assumtions are made that are never addressed,and it is just plain vague in virtually all subjects it discusses. Buy a different title if you actually want to learn about finance. ... Read more

Book Description

Praise for The New CFO Financial Leadership Manual

"Steve Bragg has done it again! This manual shows what a CFO needs to do to truly add value. It should be mandatory reading for all CFOs who want to play a strategic role in their organizations."
–Janice M. Roehl-Anderson, Partner
Deloitte Consulting

"This timely guide will help CFOs master the right thinking and management skills. An effective tool for navigating today’s corporate financial waters."
–Clint Davies, Principal
Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker

"An excellent reference book and good reading besides. This book is a how-to for new and experienced CFOs. It is one place for new CFOs to get information on how to start in their job as well as continuing reference on many issues–such as personnel, accounting and reporting, banking, credit, taxes, and so on."
–Gail W. Sevier, CPA
Member/Manager of Marrs, Sevier & Company LLC ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Everything you need to know in finance - superb!
I found this book very complete and comprehensive as a reference source. It covers the strategic and operational perspectives of the finance function. This is one of the best "CFO" books, together with "CFO Architect" and "CFO Handbook". A little bit overpriced - I would have put it in the US$60 range. Reading this book is like taking an advanced course in preparing yourself for the CFO career. It is very didactic and straightforward. A recommendation for the author: in a future edition, you might consider expanding on the topics of international finance, value based management and corporate restructurings. ... Read more

Book Description

The tools to manage ongoing Sarbanes-Oxley compliance

In The Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 Implementation Toolkit, author and consultant Michael Ramos provides a detailed road map to help companies not only streamline their compliance process, but also make the process manageable and repeatable year after year.

The first book to provide detailed implementation practice aids for Sarbanes-Oxley 404 compliance, The Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 Implementation Toolkit is packed with work programs, audit checklists, and examples that readers can tailor to meet their own unique needs. Featuring a useful CD-ROM that contains all of the tools from the book, this timely workbook includes best practices that will benefit anyone who participates in the planning or performance of the effectiveness of internal control.

A must-read for all CFOs, internal auditors, CPA firms, and independent auditors involved in the compliance process, The Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 Implementation Toolkit embraces the common approaches and methodologies that have proven successful in the new world of Sarbanes-Oxley internal control testing and reporting. ... Read more

Book Description

This book brings together conceptual and empirical material in a systematic way. It provides readers with a basis for understanding mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructuring that are introduced into every session of Congress.The volume provides a complete review of takeovers and mergers in practice, M&A's in theory and practice, the strategic perspective of valuation, restructuring, M&A strategies and strategies for creating value.For CEOs, COOs, CFOs and other top level executives. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Interesting Subject... Boring Book
The subject of this book is quite interesting and the knowledgable authors add many insights into the field of Mergers and Aquisitions.However, the book is poorly written and designed.Simply opening the book will show colorless pages and bland figures that perfectly reflect the tone and content within.There is also a surprising number of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors (something I should not expect if I'm paying over $100 for a book).

Solid text to introduce this topic - readable and helpful
The fourth edition came out in 2003 and I am not familiar with earlier editions.In my view, this is a very good text.In its nearly 700 pages, it provides a solid and comprehensive overview of this interesting and important topic.Obviously, no textbook can be both a survey of the topic and provide complete coverage of every topic.This book goes deep enough that students being introduced to this topic will find plenty to work on and get enough information to develop a feel for all that is involved in changing corporate control and ownership structure for any number of reasons.

The book has 22 chapters in six parts.The six parts are:

1)Takeovers and Mergers in Practice
2)M&As - Theories and Empirical Tests
3)Valuation - The Strategic Perspective
4)Restructuring
5)M&A Strategies
6)Strategies for Creating Value

There are many end of chapter questions and dozens of mini-cases in the book.Plus, there are online resources for students available.

The book provides references at the end of each chapter for more in depth study, a glossary at the end, and an index.

This is a solid text that can also be read by the general reader interested in this topic.

I expected more
Considering the reputation of the primary author, I found the book to be ponderous to read and seemingly focused more on what the authors wanted to discuss than what might be really useful to students and those practicing M&A.The authors should have sought a more appropriate balance between theory and practice. This tome is weighted in favor of theory. It seems to spend more time addressing societal issues and issues of government policy than addressing the mechanics of how to plan for and implement transactions. In fact, only the last few pages of the book deal superficially with an approach to doing M&A.

The book also assumes substantial knowledge of accounting, finance and economics on the part of the reader. The dearth of examples also hinders the readers ability to readily understand how to apply complex concepts explained in torturous paragraphs of prose. It would have been helpful to use more illustrations to communicate concepts that are difficult for those of us that don't have Phds to understand.

Thankfully, there are other books that are far more helpful in explaining both theory and application of M&A. I have found Mckinsey's book on Measuring and Managing Valuation to be a much better guide to understanding how to apply complex valuation techniques. Integration methodology is well explained in Marks and Clemente's Winning at Mergers. For an excellent detailed overview of M&A, see Depamphlis Mergers Acquisitions and Other Restructuring or Weston's other, more recent book on M&A.

Largely Disappointing
The book is really only useful for those interested in a literature survey, discussion of public policy, and somewhat tedious discussion of theoretical concepts.

Written by academics for academics!!!
On balance, this book provides a good overview of the subject and of recent academic studies.However, it is often theoretical and "ivory-towerish."There is relatively little that really instructs the reader about transactions are actually done.A great deal of time is devoted to discussing why they occur, but little practical insight is provided as to the challenges and issues that must be resolved.This book may be suitable for someone who is curious and interested in reading about M&A but provides little guidance for those interested in learning how to undertake transactions. ... Read more

Book Description

"In the complex new world of Sarbanes-Oxley, it isrefreshing to read a book that has comprehensive answers for general managerswanting to do the right thing."—Jim Balsillie, CEO of Research in Motion

"Scott Green has provided us with a book on managementcontrols that is as engaging as it is illuminating.I enthusiasticallyrecommend this book to managers of financial institutions of any size."—John Duffy, Chairman of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods

"Recent, widely publicized business failures and accountingdeficiencies that were a contributing cause make a strong case for acomprehensive system of controls, such as those proposed in Scott Green'sbook."—Orval Hansen, Former U.S. Congressman

"A necessary read for any director, executive, or line managerwho is serious about monitoring the health of their internal controlstructure."—Holly Gregory, Partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges

"A must-read . . . is the chapter on the 'Control Smart'approach.This chapter, which will clearly help businesses monitor themselves,covers all the key factors necessary to 'erase vulnerabilities anderect a strong [control environment] defense,' ranging from pinpointing comingthreats and knowing your vulnerabilities to protecting your business andmonitoring its health."—Herman A. Berliner, PhD Provost and Senior VicePresident for Academic Affairs, Lawrence Herbert Distinguished ProfessorHofstra University

Manager's Guide to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
In reaction to high-profile frauds and congressional legislation, the SECmandated that managers of public companies certify that they have anoperational system of internal controls. While larger companies can afford tospend millions of dollars to implement control system monitoring tools,managers of small to mid-sized companies can be unsure of how to move forwardif their budgets can't accommodate expensive advisors and systems. Manager'sGuide to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act provides a highly accessible, simple, andpractical approach to help you assess your internal control structure at thetransaction level.

Designed to be "a cure for the Sarbanes-Oxley headache andcommon fraud," Manager's Guide to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act introduces thegroundbreaking and practical "Control Smart" approach that not only meets therequirements of Sarbanes-Oxley, but also alerts you if operational controlsstop working or are otherwise compromised. This simple template helps youidentify and understand operational threats, and guides you through acomprehensive evaluation of your system of internal controls to mitigate theserisks.

Manager's Guide to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act features:

• A razor-sharp method to monitor the opera- tional risks inherent in your business
• Numerous real-world examples illustrating how to avoid common pitfalls, such as those faced by Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals, Adelphia Communications, and Bridgestone Corporation (Firestone)
• Case studies and vignettes highlighting the personalities at Enron and Tyco who enabled a fraudulent corporate culture, as well as whatone person did right to reveal the smoke-and-mirrors accounting practiced at WorldCom
• Clear, jargon-free coverage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and how it affects you

Armed with this hands-on guide, you can detect early signsof fraud and operational loss, and safeguard your job, your employees' jobs,and the long-term success of your company.Don't let fraud derail your career.Protect yourself with the fail-safe Control Smart method found in Manager'sGuide to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Readable and informative starting point
I've read a number of books and literally thousands of web pages of information about Sarbanes-Oxley, and have to rank this book as the best starting point for stakeholders who are peripherally involved in compliance. The reasons are:

(1) It's readable! This is not a dry, boring tome, but a highly readable summary of Sarbanes-Oxley, what it is (and isn't), and realistic examples and anecdotes to reinforce the material.
(2) It covers a surprisingly lot of ground for a book aimed at a non-practitioner audience. The Control Smart Framework, detailed advice on identifying threats and vulnerabilities, and how to protect yourself are invaluable to anyone directly or indirectly involved in Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.

In addition to the rich information and clear explanations of key elements of Sarbanes-Oxley I like the appendices, which also provide useful information - especially appendices B (Key Performance Indicator Reporting), C (Examples of Key Performance Indicators) and D (Control Activities).

This book will quickly get you up-to-speed about Sarbanes-Oxley and its ramifications, and will do so relatively painlessly compared to other books on the basics of the Act.

If you're looking for a more in-depth book, especially one that addresses the scope and complexity of Section 404 compliance, I highly recommend "How to Comply with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404: Assessing the Effectiveness of Internal Control (ISBN 0471653667). If you are an IT professional I strongly recommend visiting Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ASIN B00006BW74), which makes available a free 84-page document titled "IT Control Objectives for Sarbanes-Oxley". For more general information, there is a commercial site that provides news and updates on Sarbanes-Oxley issues (ASIN B0000AM23N), as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (ASIN B00013Y80Y), which provides rule making information and a means to comment on proposed rules. You can reach these sites by pasting the ASIN numbers in the search box at the top of this page, selecting all products and clicking GO.

Informative and Enjoyable Reading
Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOA) is probably the single most important law affecting corporate governance and financial disclosure since the US securities laws of the early 1930s.
This book describes in a practical and concise manner the complexity of Sarbanes-Oxley Act for non-financial managers and directors, and gives a pathway model to develop an efficient control environment of businesses. I found very useful and straightforward to implement the Control Smart approach to help obliterate vulnerabilities and develop a strong defense against corporate fraud.
I think that this book is a valuable, must read guide for both, financial and non-financial managers. I would also recommend it as reference manual for management training programs as well as business schools.

Smooth reading and very informative!
I found the book to be smooth reading and very informative. The book provides detailed examples of internal control issues from actual companies. I have a newfound understanding of these issues now, because of the level of detail and the varied perspectives provided in by the author. I would recommend this book to anyone in a managerial position concerned with internal controls in their organization.

An unusually relevant and perceptive guide
The title to this book, while timely, doesn't really do the content justice, for the book is more than just a guide to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act - it addresses a range of corporate risk management issues to relevent to middle level managers up through board members. Scott Green manages to strike a good balance between discussions of strategic issues and of practical implementation considerations in the areas of control and fraud prevention mechanisms. It also contains some of the more insightful assessments I've seen of "what went wrong" at some of the more notable corporate failures of recent times. The book is written in a highly readable fashion and I'd recommend it to any manager, company advisor, or board member looking to get a better handle on considerations related to Sarbanes-Oxley and the topic of internal controls in general.

An Invaluable Tool
This book is highly accessible and the concepts easy to understand, with many real-life examples to help the reader focus. It will prove most useful to board members, corporate counsel, executives and managers who often are not trained to evaluate internal controls but who now must understand not only controls assessment, but also the inherent risks associated with these processes. Small and mid-cap companies can benefit from this book as it should help them defray the costs of implementing increased controls and compliance. ... Read more

Book Description

Praise for Trade Like a Hedge Fund

"If you want factual advice based on real research, this is a must-read."
–Larry Williams, author, The Right Stock at the Right Time

"Altucher, a successful money manager, reveals his most profitable stock trading strategies and how to use them, despite strong protests from his partners and clients. Never look a gift horse in the mouth. Grab them ASAP!"
–Yale Hirsch, founder of Stock Trader’s Almanac and editor of thirty-seven annual editions

"I can’t believe that James Altucher has written this book! He’s given away dozens of ways I know to make money. I am glad I’m not in the game anymore. He could ruin it."
–James J. Cramer, founder and markets commentator of TheStreet.com, and cohost of CNBC’s Kudlow & Cramer ... Read more

Reviews (8)

I will keep it for reference
I liked this book because the author offers creative, original trading ideas. I plan to keep it as a reference, which is more than I can say for most books on the subject. Maybe the readers who didn't like the book were expecting the author to do their thinking for them.

Trading Tool Box
This book is like a wolf in sheep's clothing. This is quantitative finance not technical analysis. Floating in a wasteland of books about trading using technical analysis and supposed "insider" techniques, this book delivers what the others pretend to deliver validated trading techniques. Before purchasing another compendium about the latest "rocket science", check out this collection of situational trades that are tested (on a distressingly small(mostly 4 years)) data sample and proven to produce profits. Even with Altucher's minimalist writing style, I feel that he waxed too poetic about the nature of the causes behind the anomalies. After all, does it matter how they work if in fact they do? Lean on the observations and if you still feel compelled to divine a reason, go for it, just make sure that it doesn't interfere with your research.

Some of the systems have painful drawdowns and need additional tweaking or a strong constitution to make them work.

Some of the trading techniques were a little loose for my tastes suffering from a few flaws. Examples include too small of a sample size or the possibility that on occasion the number of trades take would exceed capital and therefore leaving a distorted return # (see technique 13 and think of LTCM or 9/11). Even with the flaws this book is a non-stop idea generator.

Garbage
Essentially day/trend trading at high risk.
His partner who threatened to buy all of the books issued and burn them and their secrets should have. However at least he's honest that all of one's efforts can be wiped out by rare blips.
Not worth the cover price for anyone. There are easier ways to blow your brains (and wallet) out! There are no 'get rich quick' plans without luck. Better go earn a living or invest and not trade!

As Clint Eastwood said "A man has got to know his limitations!"

Wyckoff's book on How I Trade and Invest in Stocks and Bonds is still a classic and will warn you to get out if you don't have a trader's instincts (and most traders lose too!]

Not sure if it's worth the money
I 've seen various forms of some of these strategies published and quantified elsewhere in greater detail.

I also disagree w/ another reviewer's comment regarding the book "enlightening one" to the way Hedge Funds operate and the ways of Wall Street. This is only one of the many stles in existence today.

If your looking for system ideas, better books exist but for the beginner it's a start.

Just finished this book....will read it again within 2 weeks
Four years of Economics @ an Ivy College didn't do as much as this book did to educate me about the markets....especially Hedge Funds. If you're in the busines......it's a must read! ... Read more