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

5 comments about The Ultimate Trading Guide.

1. This important book offers unique price pattern recognition and set-ups not found in trading books by any other authors. These patterns and set-ups are the direct result of John Hill's over 50 years of trading experience.
   This book is currently one of the most valuable addition in my trading book library.



2. I would normally give this only 4 stars but people have been giving Mike Covells poor book on trend following 5 stars (I would give it 1) so Hill gets 5.

   This is a good review of a range of approaches to the market. It also gives you (free) a number of workable systems that you would pay a lot for elsewhere. If you email them with questions they will also answer.

   Their work on Commoditity Channel Index is limited but so what. I use CCI possibly in the same way that Howdy does but I dont find that missing one (of so many) ways to make or lose money in the markets is much of an issue. There are lots of great strategies in here ... look up Woodies Club on the net if you want a CCI based one as well.

   Good book John.




3. This is my first Amazon review, I just couldn't believe any reputable publisher or reviewer would embrace such a horrible book!

   I am a self-taught trader of 15 years, I love reading traing books, there are currently more than 2,000 traing books in my trading library. Of all the books I have read, this is one of the worst!

   The trading strategies/methods presented in this book were poorly researched and the presentation is even worse. Take the indicators section for example, the authors wrote approximately half a page about Commodity Channel Index, barely even scratched surface of this indicator, then presented a table showing their back test result on over 21 individual markets, the results indicated that 20 markets were negative and 1 was about break even. If you are unfamiliar with Commodity Channel Index indicator, you would be missled to believe it is a poor indicator based on their back testing results, but in fact, their testing was based on their incorrect interpretation of how CCI can be used as trading strategy. My onw real trading result using CCI indicator for the past two years averaged over 78% win-loss ratio; I pick CCI as an example because CCI happened to be the best indicator I know. There were just too much poorly researched information presentled in this book, it made my stomach sick when I was reading them, I couldn't help but to write this review, take it whichever way you prefer, my advice to you: run, don't walk, away from this ultimate rip-off!




4. This book gets straight to the point and works almost as an encyclopedia of trading methods, theories and systems. Written by John Hill of Futures Truth fame, you would expect a lot of backtesting and system development info - which there is. As an experienced trader, I did pick up numerous new ideas that might be applicable to my own trading methods and that's really all you can really hope for in any trading book.

   Some minor gripes are the somewhat lack of clarification and examples at times, relying only on a single chart for an example before moving on to the next idea. This can be quite difficult to follow for a new trader. Also, the Drummond Geometry chapter is just a verbatim article that can be found on the Tedtick webpage.

   Otherwise, this is an excellent keeper book.




5. No news here. these guys are purely technical. Hill, Lundy and Hill have written their book from years of experience with mechanical trading systems that have made them highly regarded experts. In black and white, what works and what doesn't, will be made clear to the reader from the knowledge of its authors.

   It is estimated that 80% of the 30 billion dollars in the managed futures industry is traded by systematic methods. It is also estimated that 80% of the traders lose money. This book was written to allow traders to recognize and exploit an edge in the markets. Examples in both the futures and securities are made to prove the authors' point.

   In the beginning, there is the almighty bar chart and a whole chapter devoted to its proper interpretation. According to these guys, all you need to know is in the charts and nowhere else. And with those bar charts a very simple and complete take on the Elliot Wave Theory will demystify even the most obtuse of the technically impaired. Walk-through examples of trading styles and applications of chart patterns are engaging and relevant to all kinds of markets.

   The book contains an introduction to mechanical trading systems. Tips on what to look for and where not to look for a system will be very valuable to the inexperienced. Advice on hardware, software, data and testing are also covered, making it a worthy read for anyone interested in mechanical trading.

   The authors bring precious bits of wisdom with their experience. Though systems are mechanical in design, the mental toughness required to achieve success is important, and much can be learned from the experienced. Make no mistake, this book is not about easy money, but about the reality of achieving success. As the authors put it:

   "There is a giant chasm between knowledge and a successful trader. Few of us are able to make the leap, and those that do must be on the alert or they will fall back into the abyss."

5 comments about Trading Options to Win: Profitable Strategies and Tactics for Any Trader.

1. Johnston approaches options trading in a very unique way.
   You wont find his approach in any other book which I quite liked as most option books tend to be repetive.
   It would be great to see another book on the subject by him.



2. I read this book and must say it gives you a great grounding in options theory. A must read.



3. Great book for those interested in options. I would also recommend this book for anyone who is interested in investing/trading period. The chapter on making money with money is priceless in and of itself.
   
   George
   
   http://www.thelawyertrader.net



4. Stu's writing style and exceptional wisdom when it comes to the futures options markets is unparalleled.
   Funny, witty, and filled with gobs of invaluable information, I keep this book on my trading desk at all times.



5. Outstanding book. I have corresponded with Stuart on a few occasions, and have found him to be a very genuine and intelligent guy. I personally enjoyed his writing style, and appreciate the fact that he didn't rub his advanced degrees in the reader's face. Very down-to-earth guy. I guess some readers such as Fletch prefer dry academic tomes instead of well written edutainment, so hey whatever cranks your tractor I guess. If I ever have insomnia I'll borrow one from you Fletch. Me on the other hand, I appreciate the way the concepts were presented. It made the book even more understandable, if for no other reason that his logical, humorous and chatty style kept my short attention span brain fully engaged.
   
   Hats off to SAJ for this excellent book. My options understanding has increased by AT LEAST an order of magnitude.

5 comments about Profit with Options: Essential Methods for Investing Success.

1. The book is for a reader with some degree of investment and trading experience. Unlike the previous books by the author (Options as a Strategic Investment and McMillan on Options), this one covers each phase of the options trading process step-by-step, reinforces individual concepts, and thus allows you to hone and refine skills--in essence, a workbook or study guide. In other words, the aim of this book is study in repetition. You will revive in memory what you already new, and will probably pay attention to some minor new tips.
   
   The unique characteristic of this book is that each chapter ends with a set of review questions and answers that will assist you in absorbing and implementing the material covered.
   
   Chapter 1 moves right into the components of option price, using historical and implied volatility
   to formulate your option trading strategy, and understanding the advantages an option model can provide. Plus, LEAPS, futures, and trading technology are each treated in detail.
   Chapters 2 and 3 explain how to use options as both direct and contrary indicators, with examples showing how each can predict market direction and help you decide which options to buy under both scenarios.
   Chapter 4 teaches you how to incorporate system trading into an overall options game plan and illustrates the value of taking the system approach. A variety of systems types are outlined that are applicable for both short-term and long-term investors.
   Chapter 5 presents powerful methods for using options as "insurance" and portfolio protection, which is one of their key strengths.
   Chapters 6 and 7 conclude with various strategies for profiting from trading volatility. I start by viewing volatility as a strategic indicator, and then move into both forward and reverse "skew" and spreading strategies. I then provide a more in-depth look at volatility analysis, the reasons behind volatility changes, and highlight the author's favorite strategy plus personal criteria for buying straddles, "follow-up" action, and selling naked options.
   Each chapter of the workbook can stand on its own, but taken together, they form the basis of a well-rounded options trading program. With the end-of-chapter questions provided, you can test your knowledge of the concepts, techniques, and systems featured in Profit with Options before you need to put them into action in the real trading world. And this learn-by-example workbook should prepare you for making the right moves at the right time, while reacting swiftly to opportunities that arise in the fast-paced options arena.
   
   As a conclusion, this hands-on guide will complement the previous two works by the author. If you didn't complete these two works, I don't recommend to start with this one.



2. This book could probably be considered the Chevy in McMillan's fleet, with McMillan on Options and Options as a Strategic Investment standing as the Cadillac and Corvette, respectively. It's a worthwhile addition, but if you're new to McMillan, you'd probably be better-served by one of his more well-known works.
   
   This is a relatively short book that provides some tools for using options as direct or contrary indicators, and actual strategies for employing options to profit off expected movement in price or volatility. The book also provides some good guidelines for evaluating indicators like the put/call ratio (index and equity-only), VIX (old VIX, now VXO), and how to interpret volume in an options chain for possible signs of predictive insider trading. Later chapters get a little more complicated, covering some strategies for volatility buying and selling, etc.
   
   The "workbook" end of this volume is rather thin, basically comprised of 12-20 questions at the end of every chapter covering what you've learned, with an answer index in back.
   
   If you're a McMillan fan or new to options, you'll probably like this book. Otherwise, check into his better-known volumes first.



3. I am jsut wondering why many people take this book as another 'Bible' leveled book. It sounds exactly like an insult to all those real 'Bible' books.
   
   Some other reviewers are right: the editting is lousy, the graphs are irresponsible,...., and some other over a thousand flaws. One can expect to learn more by simply browsing Optionetics forum.



4. I have read McMillan's other books and found them interesting and educational. But this book does not have any eyeopening material. If you are a beginner in options then this is not for you; if you are not a beginner then this book is not for you also. You probably know how volatility affects option prices etc., The author has just filled the pages with many historical charts of stocks. Instead he could have just illustrated his points with a couple of charts for each topic. Instead of a book this just deserves to be a booklet.



5. Profit with Options seems to have been thrown together from a series of talks, with little attempt at editing. The book is replete with mistakes that render the book useless to a novice options trader and frustrating to read for an expert.

   The figures are particularly bad, with incomplete or incorrect legends. On page 9, for example, are shown profit graphs for puts and calls. One problem is that the graph for calls is labeled "Put purchase" and the graph for puts refers to buying a call. This is worse than useless to a beginner because it is flat out wrong, and makes the expert wonder whether anything else in the book is sufficiently reliable to trust. Another problem with this figure is that neither graph has any numbers on the axes.

   Poor labeling of figures renders indecipherable many of the figures in Chapter 2, which deals with options as direct indicators. Figure 2.1, for instance, does not provide dates on the X-axis, so when the text says something about what happened on July 29, it's difficult to know where to look on the chart. Many of the charts in this chapter include several data plots, apparently including price and option volume, but the plots are not labeled. Sometimes the text refers to put volume and call volume, but the charts don't indicate which is which.

   The text often is no more clear than the figures. The discussion on stops on page 133, for example, states: "So you gave back a lot by waiting for your stop to be hit. Or did you Will, in this case you did, but what if the S&Ps had gone on to 1335?" Who the heck is Will, and what does he have to do with anything?

   The "review" questions are not really review questions. I expected them to review subject matter that was covered in the preceding chapter. However, the questions are directed to material is not covered in the chapter.

   I'm going to try a different book on options. It's just too frustrating to get anything useful out of this one.

5 comments about Lessons from the Pit, A Successful Veteran of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Shows Executives How to Thrive in a Competitive Environment.

1. Joe Leininger provides great insight in his daily efforts to be both a good and Christian person with his success as a commodities trader.

   Few businessess are as brutally competitive as trading in Chicago exchanges. However, with great faith and works, Joe obviously holds to his strong Christian values in this tough environment.

   This book helps me come to grips with striving for success while hoping to maintain the fundamental value of helping and loving one's fellow man (or woman).




2. Lessons From the Pit was a very fasinating and involving book. It is obvious that Joe Leininger spent a lot of time thinking and planning this book. This book is not one where the first chapters are interesting. The whole story is interesting. I kept saying to myself "at the end of the chapter, I will go to sleep, but I just couldn't put it down! He talked about personal subjects also, making you feel like you were just talking to him, alone. I highly recommend this book, and I think that Lessons From the Pit was the best book I have read so far.



3. An excellent picture of how to live a balanced life and besuccessful at it. Especially applicable to those in the financialfield, but applies to all of us who desire to excel in our field. Joe's personal experiences in such a high pressure environment serve as poingant lessons. Take advantage of this book as a roadmap on the path to success.



4. Under the guise of being about trading securities, this is an excellent book about life, about observing what work gives you and what it deprives you of. About making changes that lead to a richer life and how to know when work costs too much. It also offers wonderful insights into the life of a trader and the paradox of being a good trader and trying to balance that with being a good Christian.



5. Joe has done a good job of taking interesting stories from his life and distilling an excellent life-lesson from each. Joe's life comes through clearly in this well written collection. He is transparent and engaging. Not only does it draw us to examine our inner health and values, but to look to our own stories for the lessons hidden in them. Worth a plane flight to read it.

5 comments about Trading Rules: Strategies for Success.

1. I was looking for a "how to" book and this is not it. From the credentials of the writer I expected much more on how to create and use rules to design trading systems for an ever changing market. I was looking for a set of rules plus a practical application of those rules that would help me design a system for trading stocks and futures. There are no practical applications in this book. There are no charts or examples and nothing whatsoever that tied all the "rules" together into something that the reader could use or benefit from. I was really disappointed with this book. I would not recommend it to anyone but a novice who hasn't a clue about trading rules. Beyond that it is useless.



2. As a former member of the MidAmerica Commodity Exchange I can say that Bill Eng was a well respected trader and that his book is a helpful tool in the learning process. What is most interesting is that the biggest impact it had on me had nothing to do with trading. You'll have to read it to discover that for yourself.
   
   Kind Regards,
   
   John Onesti



3. Enjoyed pondering the table of contents before I bought.
   
   Even though experienced traders may know much of this; has enough war stories and other golden material to buy it .
   
   Practical trading experience, like Solomon the trader king.
   He does well in mentioning principle rather than exception;
   ''Bear markets have no support,Bull Markets have no resistance''



4. The book began with the author's recall of the suicide of his bond trader friend who lost about US$60K in one single Friday in 1982. Quite a sad story, but it did tell how serious the author was about trading and his sincerity of writing a good book that attempted to help traders and those aspiring ones. In my opinion, he did a very good job.
   
   With fifty chapters of individual trading rules (one can refer to the sample page on Amazon.com), the author had discussed, with abundant real life samples, and without nonsense, most of the essential trading rules that I had read here and there in other trading books and had personally experienced, though not effectively put into practice. One might had already read a lot of trading books. I did. However, this one was so well written and organised that I would like to recommend it to anybody who wants to buy a book for easy reference to keep himself/herself well guarded against the ups and downs of trading life.



5. Written by a floor trade on the cbot, this book is simply a list of rules with brief 5 page explanations for each chapter. I found about most of the rules to be elementary to an intermediate trader. However, almost any trader regardless of experience can pick up a few tidbits in this book .. which is more than I can say for most trading books.

   I give the book 3 stars for content, another star for being a very quick read, and another star for being cheap ...

3 comments about Options. Plain and Simple: Successful Investment Strategies Without the Rocket Science.

1. In preparing for the Series 7 General Rep Securities Exam one of the most covered topics is on Options. This book did a much more thorough job of explaining the idiosyncracies of options trading than anything else I tried. Made a very complex topic easily understandable. Thanks for helping me get licensed!!



2. This is book is that damn good!
   Better than Courtney Smith's, Better than McMillian (unless you want the math). Better than ...

   Thanks Lenny. Pick up a couple of good pointers.




3. This book has recently crossed the 5,000 sales mark, despite distribution problems and minimal advertising. The reason is that private investors and market professionals find that it clearly explains what options are, and especially, what they do. It is practical, the language is straightforward, and the math is basic.

   I wrote OPS after trading options for ten years in Chicago and London. I have also given many training seminars over the years. The trainees found that all the options books were either too advanced, too theoretical, or poorly written. I finally got fed up and wrote my own.

   This book has sold well because it supplies a demand. If you want to read what other investors have said about it, check out amazon.co.uk. And yes, it covers bear market strategies.

   Good luck in your trading.

   Lenny Jordan

1 comments about Options Made Easy: How to Make Profits Trading in Puts and Calls.

1. I bought this book "Options Made Easy," in haste as a father's day gift. My retired dad's new hobby is investing. This book Options Made Easy is a VERY dated! Its author was born 50 years before my dad, (W.D. Gann's was born in 1878, died 1955.) The author may be an icon in investing history but this book is poorly written and so dated that it is a JOKE! I presumed that W.D. Gann's theories were updated to the modern era of real-time Web trading and low cost transactions. Why did I assume that the book was updated? Because it says copyright 2007. The material is comically out of date. There is nothing in its description to clarify that it is dated and I conclude written in the early 1930s. Examples of Dated Content,
   There is no mention of the Internet or the Web; the book says "if you live outside of NYC you can give an order to your local broker and he will buy puts and calls for your account...when you want to sell, the broker will take care of the transaction for you." WOW! The section titled Put and Call Brokers on page 24 is laughable. Then page 25 states that you can send your check or money order to your Put and Call Broker and he will buy puts and calls for your account.
   Someone at the Richest Man in Babylon organization, slapped this old material together with a 2007 copyright date. They could have hired an editor to update the content to current options market reality or at least make clear that is was written in the 30s. Page 25 notes that you can get quicker service using Postal Telegraph or Western Union! The book talks about buying Chrysler, GM and U.S. Steel at $100. Pages 34 and thereafter mentions Chrysler on February 3 1936 to June 5 1936. Page 69 Douglas Aircraft...there is a piece of history...ancient history. Save your money! Do NOT buy Options Made Easy...unless you are buying it for a bit of history and some laughs. The concepts have not changed but the systems certainly have changed and have empowered the individual investor.
   
   Fortunately, I also bought my dad Understanding Options by Mike Sincere...so this Father's Day I can contribute to my dad's continuing financial education.

3 comments about Writing Uncovered Put and Call Combinations.

1. Only 1 chapter describe the author's "strategy" Its really risky as you're short both ways with NO hedge (as compared with spreads) The rest of the book is on options basics which might be informative for those who are new to options. I started out with naked puts and got hurt when market plunged right after Obama's inaguration. Quickly switched to credit spreads and iron condors which are safer and hedged.



2. Have written naked puts a number of times before and although you can loose your shirt quickly with this stratergy am comfortable with the logic behind it. Am not so comfortable with writing naked calls however. This book has got me considering it. As a read it is simple to understand and concise in it's detail of action to take in any situwation should things not turn out as planned,which I liked. I also liked the distinction between trading stocks and etf's and the possible benifits outlined from doing so. The fact it is written by an author with a banking background gives me confidence in his experience of useing the stratergies outlined to use money to make superior returns. Useful book.



3. I like to read Pauls books because they explain things in a simple and precise manner. I had no idea on understandind Options, but now I am very confident in what I am doing.
   I can strongly recommend Pauls books for people starting out in the deritives market.

1 comments about The Forex Options Course: A Self-Study Guide to Trading Currency Options (Wiley Trading).

1. This is a fundamental approach that will not help a trader. Save your money if you trade.