5 comments about The Complete Guide to Spread Trading (McGraw-Hill Traders Edge Series).

1. My name is -oo0(GoldTrader)0oo- Amazon will not let me hook up this post with my other lists. So when you do a search add this one to those. Amazon sucks!!
   
   Complete Guide to Spread Trading by Keith Schap
   ISBN: 0071448446
   
   The greatest American chess champion still alive once wrote a book on how to play chess. After explaining the game, he simply teaches you how to kill. Similarly Ross's Spreads & Seasonals teaches the game simply, and dives straight to the heart of how you can place your first winning seasonal spread trade.
   
   Mr. Schaps textbook is much more complex. It is written for the already active trader, who may want to switch to or try new spreads. Advanced traders, practicing spread traders, mathematicians, and employees of hedge funds and financial firms, will find this book useful. As a result it covers everything, and updates the older spread books into this century. Mr. Schaps works for the CBOT. He does not see a conflict of interest is suggesting that traders rely on brokers for research, I do.
   
   The author explains spreads from the left hemisphere of the brain. Anything that can simply be shown to both sides of the brain in a picture, graph or chart, is instead reduced to a complicated array of digital formulas and intricate equations.
   
   "Spreads ... produce better results than outright trades in futures or stocks."
   
   General principles as well as advanced ideas in the various ways to spread are taught. You do not have to read it straight through, but you can move to the areas that address your current interests. Besides futures, he goes on to cover Option spreads.
   
   "Spreads trade around long term means ... they work back towards the mean."
   
   Instead of using the normal spread charts, where all a trader has to seek is the spread differential to go up. Schaps takes it two levels deeper with exhibits of columns of numbers, formulas, and statistics. If you don't use arithmetic every day, run far, far away from this book and its complicated mathematical explanations of otherwise simple concepts.
   
   "It is a good idea to focus on the spread as a whole, not on the individual legs of the spread."
   
   In normal spread teaching, the long contract is stated first the short second. Schap because he is using rows of numbers, has to remind you what is widening and what is narrowing for each type of commodity. You buy the widening or sell the narrowing. Any mix up as to what widening means and you can find yourself on the opposite side of the spread.
   
   "A valid spread must have a structure that ties it to the economic reality you are trying to capture."
   
   While other writers may use simple charts showing the historical tendency. Schap examples show a much shorter period of only one or two years. Where Schap does use charts, he shows two lines instead of one. Usually he uses exhibits with columns of numbers, as an alternative to charts.
   
   "Price has no history. Only spreads have history."
   
   Spreads carry messages about how the market needs to draw supplies into and out of storage. "The price differentials of the spreads help the markets to regulate the flow of goods into and out of storage." A carry (contango) market (price plus storage), wants product to go into storage. An inverted (backwardation) market (penalizes storage), wants product moved out of storage.
   
   Schaps dispenses with the confusing terms of inter and intra delivery, but uses terms like "cointegration," and "yield curve shift."
   
   A "Normal yield curve shows a healthy economy, inverted curve, near yield higher than far yield shows slower growth. How it is changing widening or narrowing is the question. When it is widening suggests increasing demand for credit. When the yield curve is narrowing, suggests that the fed is cutting back on the amount of credit it is creating relative to the demand for credit."
   
   Because spreads isolate the effect of change in the width of the yield curve spread. Yield spreads carry information in advance.
   
   Unlike many spread books that may suggest vague trade dates, for spreads. Schaps has an overview and advanced concepts of spread groups for traders to refer to before making a spread trade in a new commodity. He takes you to deeper layers with the widening, & narrowing. Deeper still the effect it has on storage.
   
   Many spread books have been criticized for using optimized trade dates. Schaps often uses unoptimized exchange expiration dates to exit many of his spreads examples.
   
   Many books may have a chapter about spreads. Only a handful of books are about spread trading. Anyone who takes trading seriously would want to have access to all of the Spread Trading books in his personal library. One successful spread trade could buy the whole lot! In a case like that, Schaps book must be included. " The Complete Guide," is not for the beginner or uninitiated trader. As a preview to the experienced mathematician about to trade a new futures group "The Complete Guide to Spread Trading," by Keith Schap is indispensable..



2. I have been trading futures for about 3 years, and wanting to learn more about spread trading. This book is very dry reading, and difficult for a beginner to go through. No color graphs. Just boring tables with numbers, and many words. Not an easy book for a visual learner. Seasonality is hinted upon, but no good charts provided, and he does not really tell you when to do what, or what triggers or conditions to look for to enter a position. His section on spread options trading is perhaps easier to grasp, and I did learn a bit from that. A more advanced trader might perhaps glean more from this book than I did, but I do not recommend it for the beginner.



3. I have yet to read this book, however, so far the ***** average rating is quite suspicious... Each one of the three *****-reviewers, does not have a single other review in their profile. I am at the stage where I am trying to learn as much as possible about spreads' trading, so I would greatly appreciate if someone who actually has real-life experience trading futures spreads and who has also read this book, to do everyone of the rest of us a favor, and post an honest review - please, we need a counterbalance to the nonsense posted by those who are most likely associated w/ the author or his publisher...



4. The best book I have seen on spread trading. Many successful commodity traders trade spreads - and why not - spreads provide profit opportunities, typically with lower risk than trading outrights. Schap has written an informative book that will teach spread trading basics to beginners and probably teach the veterans a few new tricks. Also, you will have a few laughs in the process.



5. A complete and lucid presentation of the benefits of spread trading. Keith Schap does a stellar job of gleaning all the essentials of spread trading. I have read some of his previous publications ("7 Indicators that Move the Market" as well as numerous articles written for industry journals) and this is a great addition to his body of work. The subject is presented in a clear an entertaining way. It is a 'must own' for anyone who is serious about taking advantage of the profit potential that spread trading provides.

1 comments about Margin Trading from A to Z: A Complete Guide to Borrowing, Investing and Regulation (Wiley Trading).

1. The author does a good job in this book of showing how margin works. He does this with specific scenarios showing what your account looks like after taking a stock position on margin. The book breaks down what your equity market value is after a purchase and what your debit and equity balance looks like. You will also see how these change with the fluctuation of the market value of your equity. The book shows what the minimum equity requirement is to maintain a position on margin before you get a margin call. The book explains the anatomy of how a short sale works in a margin account. He discusses the minimum cash requirement for pattern day trading ($25,000) and how you can use the maximum amount of margin to day trade by always getting out of your positions on the same day you purchase an equity. The book has an outstanding chapter on options, really explaining how they work along with their margin requirements for trading them. There is also a chapter on what is called a portfolio margin account, which allows for much more leverage than the traditional 50% margin account requirement. This type of account adjusts margin based on risk, you can hedge your positions by holding put or call options that insure your holdings and minimize your risk. Doing this inside a portfolio margin account allows you to 10 times leverage of more due to the low risk position. (However this type of account has large capital requirements of $100,000 or more). This book is for beginners, and I would recommend reading it if you want a better understanding of how margin works. If you plan on being a day trader you will need a margin account to be able to trade enough size to profit daily.

5 comments about Stock Market Miracles: New, Innovative, and Powerful Ways to Make Your Money Work Wonders!-.

1. I bought Stock Market Miracles along with Wall Street Money Machine back in 1997. Using Wade's option strategies I was, as a total beginner, green as green could be turn $250 into $1350 in three weeks on my first play, $400 into $4800 on my second play and $1500 into $7000 (on a 3/1 post stock split play) in 3 days.
   
   As a total novice, I was excited to say the least. Wade Cook and Robert Allen are two of the very best financial coaches today. I also recommend Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.
   
   Take the naysayer with a grain of salt. This guy obviously has an agenda that does not include helping you.
   
   By the way, I made those gains without using Wade's newest and more advanced strategies disclosed in Wade's newest book Wade Cook's Stock Picking Handbook. I recommend that you go to Wade's website www.wadecook.org.



2. In this sequel to the best selling Wall Street Money Machine, Wade Cook goes even deeper into his revolutionary and new strategies for cash flowing the stock market. There is more information on stock splits, options, rolling stocks, buying and selling calls and puts, tandem plays and so much more. This book makes a great companion to Wall Street Money Machine.



3. Following the strategies in this great book by Wade Cook, I have made 20% returns since 1997 and I still made money even during the Clinton Bear Market.

   Most of Wade's strategies are bear market in nature anyway. They are as safe as safe can be when trading in the stock market. Big upside. Little downside. Great book.




4. I bought this book along with Wall Street Money Machine back in July 1998 during yet another "Clinton Bear Market" I was amazed to see that I could make money even during a down market. Highly recommend Stock Market Miracles and Wall Street Money Mchine (now known as Wall Street Money Machine Vol I & II.



5. Following WADE COOK's advice in this and his classic WALL STREET MONEY MACHINE, I bought options on YHOO prior to their last split and nearly doubled my money in one day.

   Stock splits are predictable, safe and easy way to make money quickly...as long as you follow the advice and precautions that Wade teaches. Many will remember that stocks like Compaq, split and never came back up again. In fact, dropped by 300% after splitting. But Wade warned us about Compaq and other stocks like Compaq that should have been avoided.

   Following WADE'S advice has enabled me to quit my full time job, stay home with my children and make a nice living.

   Thanks WADE!

No comments about For Crying Out Loud: From Open Outcry to the Electronic Screen.

5 comments about Trading Systems: Secrets of the Masters.

1. The book consists of a series of answers to a questionnaire sent out to many system developers, and literally a line of code devoted to the concepts presented by each interviewee. None of the ideas or answers by themselves will provide you with anything near a complete trading system, making the title misleading. In fairness, it's probably wishful thinking that one could get anything more than a lead out of any book on trading systems.
   
   On the upside, it's been over a decade since the release of the book and a few of the systems have held up and the basic logic behind the systems the interviewees have sold in the past could you on the path to a profitable system.
   
   There are a few noteworthy pieces to the puzzle and words of wisdom that someone can take away from the book:
   
   * Many use similar principles as the core of their system logic - buying higher highs
   * Most count winning % as the least important aspect to a trading system, pointing to drawdowns and number of trades as more important metrics
   * Several use SP trading systems, and although perhaps due to the date of the book, look at no less than 15 minute bars and most 45 minute bars and higher, saying there is too much noise in 1-5 minute bars
   * Many use very few parameters that can be optimized or curve fitted to past data
   * The constant refrain is the simpler the better
   * They build on the work of others and few are totally unique



2. Written in pseudo-Market Wizards style.. consists of a questionaire/interview with some of the legends of this most recent generation. There is some bias towards mechanical systems, but the information discussed is beneficial to every trader. This is one of those books that you can pick up a handful (and more) of ideas to try out for yourself.



3. This book is of no value!
   Interviews irrelevant,system ideas presented light like smoke.
   If you want to make money, instead of buying this book try to write one alike.
   Don't make the mistake I did by buying it.
   Period



4. The author was rather lazy in writing this book. He asked the "Masters" the same questions. You cannot ask the same question to people have different trading styles. The question of which futures should be retained or cancelled is really stupid. It doesn't help traders to learn something useful. Some of the "Masters" didn't answer all of them. And some answers were very confusing. I would prefer Schwager's Market wizards. This book is also overpriced. Fortunately, I borrowed it from the library. Not recommended!



5. I found Joe's book to be extremely helpful in getting into the minds of some top traders. I have found in my own trading that one good idea can be worth thousands of dollars in profits(or avoided losses for that matter). One of the easiest ways to develop success at anything that you do is to find out what the pro's are doing and then try and copy them. Joe's book sheds light on the processes the pro's use to develop trading systems and will help you on your journey to developing your own successful strategies. Get two copies, one for your library and another for the people that will inevitably ask to borrow yours.

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Real Estate Options: What Smart Investors Need to Know - Explained Simply.

1. For those who have the drive to make money in the complex world of real estate investing, Steven D. Fisher's "The Complete Guide to Real Estate Options, What Smart Investors Need to Know --Explained Simply," is a useful guide for the journey. Throughout the book's 288 pages, Fisher walks interested investors through the process, explaining it in rich detail, accented by bullet points and screened text boxes.
   
   If you're unfamiliar with the options process, in a nutshell, it provides a means to produce an income steam without the high amounts of money that property buying and selling require. Options can be undertaken as a part-time or full-time endeavor and by both beginning and long-time investors.
   
   One of the best parts of this book is its clear writing, outlining everything in a step-by-step process. It's as if a friend who has knowledge in this field was sitting next to you, explaining the subject, but without going off on tangents.
   
   Fisher is clear that this investment route is not for everyone. It takes a highly motivated self-starter, akin to a salesperson or entrepreneur, to succeed. Fisher also is a major believer of research, such as completely examining a property's history. As he puts it: "Lease options are a great way to build income and future wealth as long as a person is knowledgeable and performs due diligence."
   
   The book also provides handy tools, such as sample letters, to permit investors to get under way. One section, which deals with how to find and keep good renters, and what to do about problems renters, is particularly useful for any landlord. Fisher also has helpful information on organization and office procedures, such as obtaining the right property management software.
   
   The sole shortfall with this otherwise highly informative book is the lack of data provided in dealing with any unfortunate losses. Fisher is great at speculating what one's potential profits are, and how to realize them, but as any savvy investor knows, losses are as much a part of the game -- especially in today's volatile real estate market -- as profits are.
   
   One simply cannot assume property values will increase, or be problem-free. Had Fisher spent a bit more effort in this area, other that a brief mention of it, his book would have been much improved. Aside from that oversight, however, "Real Estate Options" packs a powerful informational punch to set investors on the road to success.



2. The Complete Guide to Real Estate Options (what smart investors need to know - explained simply) by Steven D. Fisher is a truly holistic and complete look at real estate lease option in a detailed, well-ordered format. Mr. Fisher does an excellent, forthright job of explaining the lease market in terms that even a novice can grasp.
   
   The best part about the book is that it emphasizes everything the reader needs to be aware of, especially knowing themselves. The importance of attitude, perseverance, research and even ethical considerations get tackled in a no-nonsense manner, including pointing out personality traits that make for less-than-successful adventure into leasing. Additionally Mr. Fisher doesn't leave the reader hanging after they've entered the lease market. He goes on to provide concrete advice for everything from property improvements to finding good tenants. My rating 4 Stars.



3. The contemporary real estate market has left a wake of uncertainty in the minds of many investors. Though risk is inherent in any investment decision, the real estate market reflects real-world conditions as well as individual perception of market conditions.
   
   The Complete Guide to Real Estate Options: What Smart Investors Need to Know - Explained Simply is a non-nonsense guide to a specific type of real estate transaction: the real estate lease option. As explained by Steven Fisher, the book's author, the lease option is a lower-risk approach. As contrasted against the real estate purchase option, the lease option requires less money and limits exposure to the risks associated with property ownership.
   
   The Complete Guide offers strategies for researching, marketing and developing the necessary attributes to become a successful entrepreneurial investor. It also gives templates for sample letters and exercises that help build the skills required to build your own real estate business. The Complete Guide is a must for anyone interested in being successful in today's real estate market. It is a practical read as well as a handy reference for lease option investing. An added benefit: the publisher is donating a portion of their profits to the Humane Society, on behalf of the passing of their beloved office canine, Bear.



4. If you've been tempted to invest in real estate but the jargon, the paperwork and the cost seem a little scary, pick up a copy of Steven D. Fisher's handy book. This well-written volume offers a clear and concise picture of some of the basic tools you'll need to gain a foothold in the field. Whether your goal is to purchase just one investment property or create a massive portfolio, Fisher offers an understandable, common-sense approach to buying real estate.
   
   He begins by explaining both the advantages and disadvantages of real estate lease options, a method that allows potential buyers to invest only a fraction of their funds in a property. The examples provided by the author allow beginners to visualize how the process works. One of his most valuable chapters offers readers the opportunity to create their own "action plan," which outlines all the goals they seek to accomplish. Planning is key, Fisher advises, along with a positive attitude and the willingness to learn more about changes in the real estate market. Don't overlook basics like knowing your financial limitations and credit rating before you attempt to invest.
   
   But, Fisher does more than walk the reader to the front door of that new property. Once your purchase is complete, he takes you inside by explaining how to work with repairmen, how to find good tenants, and also provides an inside look at relevant matters such as taxes and maintaining your property. So, whether you're a newcomer to the field or someone who wants to brush up on investment techniques, let this clearly-written practical handbook be your guide.



5. Having always wanted to make a fortune in property I've just bought my first house. But I wish I'd read this book before hand! It would have given me a tonne of knowledge about my options in property and I may have made a different decision.
   
   What I liked most about the book was that it really did assume no prior knowledge - it even started with a whole bunch of guides on how to get motivated and set goals and prepare yourself, before you even make your first step. Plus including things like real estate market psychology takes it beyond boring old numbers and statistics!

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Option Selling.

1. If I told you to fly a plane untrained, would you? Of course not. If I taught you to fly a plane and gave you a parachute as back-up, would you? If you would, then this book is for you.
   
   While some may find the title of this book a bit of a stretch, I will admit that it isn't a complete guide to options, such as McMillan or Natenberg, or even to selling options. But it is a complete and thorough guide to the specific strategy of selling deep out of the money options on commoditiy futures. I read the book a year ago and have been successfully carrying out the stategy for several months, as the sub-title suggests, with stellar returns in bull, bear and flat markets.
   
   And while this strategy may seem to contain three individually--by popular convention--risky tactics (options, short selling and commodity futures), when all three are combined, I was amazed at how safe, profitable and, in some ways, boring it can be.
   
   That's not to say I wouldn't place a trade and ignore it, just as I wouldn't leave the controls of the plane, but the feeling of making the returns I do is as liberating and enjoyable as soaring through the clouds. This system does work.



2. The book is fairly good on Options but does not spend enough time writing about stock options. Too much time on commodity trading. Still in all it is fairly good on options in general



3. Definitely one of the more worthwhile option trading books I have read (which is many). I have since adapted their strategies successfully which is why we all buy these books and why I give it 4 stars despite some oversimplifications. The book covers the misconceptions of selling options and they steer people away from short options on stocks which is a lot riskier than futures or index options. The general argument for selling over buying is that it is easier to say where the market isn't going to be during a certain time period than where it will be within that time period (although the losses for being wrong when short can be a lot more than being wrong when long). Good coverage of money management and risk control and seasonal aspects of futures. Bear in mind the book is in large part a sales promo for their brokerage service (they pretty much say they won't answer questions from non-clients), but many option books are. It is a very straightforward book and they intentionally do not go into the mathematics of option pricing which they justify well.
   
   Some negative comments would be that they are suggesting a fairly strong level of fundamental analysis is required to determine a market that isn't going to move against your sold option in the near term (3 to 6 months). I don't know about you, but if I could be confident in near term market direction any strategy would be easy. Their argument would be that with selling options you don't need to be as accurate, but with a stop of buying back your option if it doubles in my experience you will be stopped out an awful lot of the time, even when trading with the trend. A spike in IV can really increase the value of those longer term OTM options. And consistently determining trend is still a judgement call that most traders don't get right.
   
   Also, whilst they acknowledge that 80% of sold options don't really expire worthless (most of them are actually closed out prior to expiry) they seem to then keep using that 80% figure to justify their selling argument.
   
   Having said that, I certainly agree that it is a lot easier to make money selling than buying options, with strict risk control, money management and not selling options on individual stocks as critical for new traders. As with any book on options you still need to test and develop your own strategies, but this is great first read for anyone who plans to be on the dark side (I mean short side).



4. The book basically only discusses how to sell far OTM options. Was expecting more a market maker perspective, how to hedge/manage your greeks/adjust your positions etc.
   
   Having said that, the book offered some interesting insights and the strategy actually works reasonably well.
   
   Half of the book is a discussion of various commodities market which isn't very useful to everyone (at least to me as equities guy).



5. A great book (perhaps the only book) on option selling. Very logical and practical techniques.

5 comments about Put Options : How to Use This Powerful Financial Tool for Profit & Protection.

1. This book does an excellent job at explaining Put Options and why you need to use them. You'll never just buy a stock again, selling the Put Option is ALWAYS a smarter move.



2. The author has an interesting thesis for investing solely using a hedged set of Put options. After doing some analysis it does appear that the concept has merit, at least during times of high market volatility. At other times it appears that the premiums do not exceed the trade commisions -- at least with my brokerage.
   
   The author must have had a minimum word requirement in his publishing contract because he took an inordinate amount of space to define his reasonably simple concept.



3. One-third of the book is an advertising of a strategy. Or maybe it just sounds like an infomercial?
   
   One-fifth of the book is tables of almost all stocks and almost all options. Why?
   
   And, as mentioned before, where is that tool that helps in calculating the selection parameters? It is actually one of the most ridiculous (and negative)points of the book. Here: "You are probably thinking that you could spend every waking hour doing this analysis. Fortunately, you do not have to. The automated toolkit I developed will allow most investors to properly analyze...portfolio in less than 30 minutes". Right. Good. Where is it?
   
   As I said, the book is on a silly side as it tries to explain the strategy to ones who do not know what an option is.
   
   The strategy and ideas (diversification, unpredictability of stock prices, the notion that the strategy does not guarantee gains all the time, factors to consider, etc.)in this book are not bad.



4. I found this to be a very good discussion of a strategy that I was already considering - Selling PUT options. The author makes a compelling argument for this approach and adds some additional twists to the idea that I had not considered. If you have a reasonable amount of capital to start working with, probably 20K+, you could implement this type of strategy with good results. Less capital than that and you will probably start to see the effects of brokerage fees eating up too much of you profits if you try to diversify.
   
   Overall, a very good book - the one downside is that in the book the author keeps mentioning a software program he had written to help you implement the system, but after much searching, including on his website, I was not able to find it. Too bad, it sounded like a very helpful program.



5. You should know I'm biased. Mr. Cohen is my personal financial consultant. Over the past three years while many of my friends were losing a fortune in the market, my portfolio grew substantially thanks to the principles discussed in this book. If you can't have Jeff as your personal advisor, the next best thing to do is read his book and see how he does it. - Wm.G.Hayden,M.D.

5 comments about Design, Testing, and Optimization of Trading Systems.

1. The book is really well written. Not a single line of code, just the concepts and math required to bullet proof your trade system programming.



2. The book is well written and easy to read. I have learned a great deal from it. So far, it is the best book I've read about trading system design and development. I recommend it to anybody who is serious about trading systems.



3. Let me state my biases up front. I've always been rather suspicious of so-called "mechanical" trading strategies, although I'm a strong supporter of a technical approach to the market.
   
   Technical analysis, for me, has always been about individual market participants, as a group, are likely to respond to price action to further their interest for profits, or to conserve capital. Market players are not mindless robots who are as predictable as coin flips, but people pursuing goals, and who learn from history. How the market reacts to news and fundamental info is extremely important from this point of view.
   
   While there are things that can be learned from looking at price action, any algorithm that can extract profits from markets is likely to be short lived. With the advent of cheap, powerful computers, it is all too easy to "test" a system on historical data, only to have it fail in real time. Proper system testing is difficult to do.
   
   Even if testing is done properly, it is likely to have been found by a significant number of smart, well-capitalized people long before you or I ever came onto the scene, making historical test results misleading, possibly unprofitable.
   
   The fact is, markets change, and the context of price action in the past may be totally different to the current market environment. How do market systems account for market change, while still producing valid results?
   
   This book allayed some of my fears. Since system testing IS hard to do, it is unlikely that a significant percentage of people will discover the signals of a profitable system, making the method unprofitable.
   
   Even a skeptic such as myself will admit that proper historical testing can, at the very least, encourage thought about future market conditions, and prepare for various scenarios.
   
   Most important (to me), system testing provides a reasonable method for adapting to changing markets. As new data comes in, the model can, and should, change.
   
   This book teaches you how to do proper system testing, so you can have confidence in your results.
   
   I deduct 1 star from the emphasis on the use of a frequentist statistical methodology. It is becoming clear in economics that talk of "long run frequencies" makes little sense for historical events that occur in a particular place, or a particular time, and are not likely to be repeated.
   
   The use of Bayesian methods based on a subjective interpretation of probability (ie. degrees of belief), are growing in usage, and can provide more appropriate answers to certain questions that the "frequentist" methods do not.
   
   For experienced technicians, I can recommend it.



4. Very well written (simple English) that help to organize thoughts of trading. and it help to improve your level of thinking about trading in general. little book, but very useful. It is very good start to learn how to make a mechanical trading system based on the ideas (that you think should work in the market) then you can back test and forward test those ideas. in this way you will see the weakness and the strength of your way of approaching the market. that will lead to one or more step ahead on you journey to achieve your goals in trading. it is simple and makes you do this tough task with the least possible amount of time.



5. I have never written a comment about a book, but hopefully other people will at least be warned. This is the one of the worst books I've ever read. I have read several Wiley books; most of them are poorly written and lacking substance. This one is unbelievably bad.
   This book deserves a negative five stars. (Who wrote those other reviews?)
   If you have never read a book on trading systems, then this book is may tell you something. Otherwise, save your money. There's nothing here.

5 comments about The Options Course Workbook: Step-by-Step Exercises and Tests to Help You Master the Options Course (Wiley Trading).

1. I bought the workbook in conjunction with The Options Course and it helped my trading so much! The workbook lets you practice the information you're learning in the course book with quizzes and summaries. I definately recommend that you buy the workbook as well as The Options Course book.



2. This book contains 90 pages of (mostly) multiple choice questions with the answers at the back of the book. It is the type of material that routinely follows a chapter in any textbook. Though the questions are to the point, my objection is that it is published as a separate book at the price of many complete works. Properly published, these questions would not add 90 pages to the original text which was itself under 300 pages. The questions did not help me understand the material, only tested my recollection. I feel that publishing this material as a workbook is only a marketing ploy and cheapens the product.



3. I have bought this book and the Options Course Book. This book is designed to directly relate to the hardback book (Options Course Book) and has no application to be read on its own.

   The author has used the workbook to test your knowledge of the hard back book. The work book pulls the salient points out so that you ensure you got what you need.

   The tests are accompanied by the answers at the back of the book. I thought it a great idea to combine the two books as I never know if I got it all when I read a book.

   This book has no practical use on its own and should have been bought with the Course Book.

   Great idea. However, if you are looking for the detail you should buy the Options Course Book.




4. If you're looking to read and assimilate information about options and then test yourself on the information just acquired - this is the exact wrong book!

   This book contains only questions and multiple choice answers. The answers are in the back. The learning method is to take the tests blindly and then see how many you guessed correctly. It is learning in reverse.

   I was hoping for an explanation of a term or concept and then a follow up test. There are only tests. As such it may live up to the letter of its title but it fails miserably as a teaching tool. For what it purports to be and for what it delivers it seems ridiculously overpriced.

   A very unsatisfied customer.




5. I used this book in tandem with the OCB to pull the points that I wanted to understand. The author has used the additional book to ensure that each chapter of the OCB is pointed and hits the mark.

   This book is a must to purchase at the same time as his first book Options Course Book. Great idea to reinforce for the reader the salient points that you want to get over

   Thank you Mr. Fontanills

   Dana