5 comments about Getting Started in Online Day Trading.

1. I wanted a book that would take me step by step through all the technical day trader jargon and explain what all of it meant. Getting Started in Online Day Trading by Kassandra Bentley was just what the doctor, or in this case, the beginning day trader ordered. She takes a very solid approach to explaining what the stock market is all about, what day trading is all about, the procedures of doing day trading and the pitfalls of day trading.
   
   She is not shy in pointing out other books in order for you to gather good day trading information. This shows that she is very open to learning. Her book does a good job of not assuming that the reader already knows all about day-traderese. There are plenty of sidebar notes that refer to terms and phrases within each chapter. This is a very good way of reinforcing what you have just read. One specific area that was very clear in explanation are the terms bid and ask. While other books use these terms almost interchangeably and do not explain correctly who is the buyer and who is the seller, she does an excellent job of clarification on this subject. This point is probably obvious to old pros, but her insight that a beginner is not savvy to these nuisances is good thinking on her part.
   
   She also goes into some detail on charting and day trading methodology, but not too much in depth. If anything, this was the only negative about this book. However, after reading other books on day trading, I believe that this book is the most straight forward and understandable of all of them. The book is well thought out and very concise.



2. This book was a waste of money. It's meant for beginners that aren't familiar with the terms and concepts of stock trading in general. If you don't already know these terms or the basic concepts you shouldn't attempt to day trade. If you do know these terms and concepts, then this book is a waste. The day traders survival guide is a much better intro book and I highly recommend it over this one. Other recommended trading books to start you off are High Probability Trading by Marcel Link and Trading for a Living by Alexander Elder.



3. This book is ok for a trader that needs to start from scratch. But you will be needing more specific trading strategies.
   
   Keep in mind that the stock market doesn't really care if you are beginner. The rules and the trading opportunities are the same for every one. When you trade you compete against more seasoned traders, therefore you MUST go beyond the basics and employ a clear strategy to make your buy and sell decisions.
   
   There are many "fantastic" strategies outhere, but you need to test them in order to discover which ones help you the most. That's part of your homework as a stocktrader. Test, test and test again.
   
   Complicated systems that rely on a "boat load" of technical indicators can make you slow, and being slow in this game can be as dangerous as not knowing what to do in the first place.
   
   I think the worst thing that can happen to a beginner trader is to get information overload. It's better to go step by step, and test a simple strategy that can show you how to focus on concrete ways to make money.
   
   Fortunatly there are some good sites on the web today that can show you how to trade in a practical and effective way. One of those sites is Stress Free Traders ( StressFreeTraders com)
   
   In the end, day trading is all about buying and selling according to your knowledge FILTER. Once you master and follow your proven filter parameters like a clock, you can expect to start making serious amounts of cash on a consistent basis.



4. Regardless whether you're daytrading or not, it's full of layman's terminology in order to understand the complex nuts and bolts of trading in general. Yes, there can be information overload as one reviewer stated ... which is why I found this book invaluable. It's technical, without being stodgy and complicated. The sidebar definitions are fabulous for quick access to terms. I found it to be logically and succinctly organized ... and allows the reader to learn as little or as much as they need. Ms. Bentley states up front that daytrading may not be for the lighthearted, but even daytraders needed to start somewhere. With many individuals trading from their desktop computers, it's important to learn as quickly as possible with as much correct information as possible. Take one trade at a time, utilize the directions ... do the "faux" tutorials on other sites where you don't have to lose money. Then if you find daytrading IS for you, "Online Day Trading" can be your bible. Thanks greatly, Ms. Bentley ... it helped me considerably!



5. 1) If you have no money, don't invest.
   
   2) Don't invest money you can't afford to lose.
   
   3) You have to spend money to make money
   
   4) If you're poor don't even think of investing
   
   5) Thanks for buying my book now I'm richer.
   
   Thanks for the info Bentley.

No comments about The Options Trader's Playbook.

2 comments about The Market Is Always Right.

1. I have read other books by Mr. McCafferty and have found this one to be the most valuable, not to mention entertaining. It seems as though most of the newer books out there are just a rehashing of commonly known techniques and offer little valuable insight into how the market actually operates, that is not the case with this fine book. Mr McCafferty seems to understand the way the markets operate and the players in the trading community. He mentions several successful traders and their methods and explains them very well, probably better than those traders could themselves, which is a true testament to his ability as a writer. I learned specific strategies that have changed the way I trade and have been surprised by how well the simple things Tom mentions (and many of us overlook) have worked for me. I can say that I am a more profitable trader because of what I read in this book and for the [$$] it cost me, that is an unbelievable deal. Thank you for unselfishly sharing your trading experiences with us Tom, my life has been enriched because or your words.



2. This is a 100% trading psychology book. No FA, no TA, but ten chapters or the author's so called principles on trading psychology, which are

   1. The market is always right.
   2. It's all in your head.
   3. You cant prepare enough.
   4. Supply and demand rule the markets
   5. Commit your thoughts to paper
   6. Developing and perfecting your trading shtick
   7. Enhancing your shtick
   8. Discipline
   9. Staying the course
   10. On becoming the ideal trader

   Though the above can be commonly found in most trading books, the author had done it relatively well by drawing many uncommon analogies, stories, idiomatic phrases that put life into the book. In particular I like his description of successful traders as captains in the oceans, mice in the laboratories and actuaries in insurance companies.

   In short, if you wanna read a good trading psychology book, this is it. If you want TA or FA knowledge, look somewhere else.

   p.s. The seven cardinal sins of trading in the last chaper is a favorite of mine. They are:-

   1. Pride, which challenges the first rule of trading: The market is always right.
   2. Greed, holding onto trades hoping for more and more profits while all TA signals are telling you the party is over.
   3. Envy, drains positive energy from their psyche, leaving them mean spirited and weak.
   4. Anger, that when Greek gods decided to destroy a human, they got him angry and let him destroy himself.
   5. Lust, equates to ignoring key defensive rules or self control. The unbridled gambler is the epitome of lust, doubling up after every loss.
   6. Gluttony, a lack of focus. Trading becomes obsession They eat and sleep trading.
   7. Sloth, that a lazy successful trader is an oxymoron. He or she just doesnt exist.

No comments about Anxiety Free Option Investing: Using Covered Spreads as a Hedge vs. Downside Risk.

5 comments about TurnKey Investing with Lease-Options: How to Simply & Safely Create 12% Returns with Investment Property!.

1. I expected a lot more out of this book. Granted, this is about the only "book" out there that discusses lease-options but it still left a lot to be desired. Most "gurus" charge a lot more for their courses than you will spend on a book, but I still expected that this book would do a better job of explaining transactions and give better guidance. I hoped he would add something that can't be found on about any real estate investing website. Instead there is a lot of empty space on the pages and simple common ordinary advice that I could have got from my own mother (who knows nothing about real estate investing). There is very little meat and not a lot of good examples. Maybe he meant it to be that way as he says in one of the early chapters that it is not meant to be technical or all inclusive but is only written for practical guidance. I actually didn't find it of any practical help as no where does he say how he arrives at his option consideration. What is he looking for in an option? How much is enough? Does he give the tenant any credit from the rent payments? He doesn't say. If not, why not? I had a hard time figuring out his overall approach. Maybe he wants the reader to buy more of his products to find out. I really am bewildered by the book and get the feeling it is written so that you will buy more from his website.



2. If I were still working, I would be reading Turnkey Investing with Lease-Options as I would an excellent novel! Indeed, I was not only impressed with this book; I was amazed! The main reason for my careful review of this book was that I read it wearing two former hats. One was as the experienced lease manager for a land-grant university but, more importantly, the other as a young single professional woman who had entered into a lease-purchase arrangement when I decided to buy a condo many years ago.
   
   Even though I was already managing leased space for the university, when I decided to purchase a condo, I was not prepared for the trauma of having to face a major financial burden with no support. My mother was living with me at the time, but I knew the little money she provided would not continue through the life of the mortgage. Additionally, although I had been promoted on an ongoing basis, and expected another promotion in the near future, I had no savings or verification that I would be able to meet mortgage payments. Fortunately, my landlord wanted to get the last unit sold in this complex and offered to allow all rent payments to go toward an ultimate down payment on the actual purchase price.
   
   If you are in a similar situation-buy this book. It is not necessarily intended for the potential new property owner; however, it provides a lot of essential information you need to know as you consider this option. For instance, for years, I sat in my new condo with nothing on my walls, no pictures, and no decorations-because my landlord had told me this wasn't permitted. Such a little thing, but I grew to hate those bare walls and, finally, even though feeling guilty, pounded the first nail toward making that house a home! With this book, I would have been in a position to question and negotiate what I could have done in this place I intended to make my long-term home! Indeed, the acquisition of a home via lease option is based upon accepting a home, essentially as-is with the ability to improve and upgrade the building as if it were already owned.
   
   At the same time, even though this book is written for a specific geographical area, the philosophy, the management direction, and the presentation itself all provide an excellent learning tool for an individual who has been given any type of property management responsibility, no matter where that property is located. In addition to thoroughly describing lease-options, the book covers how to research the market, purchasing, preparing, marketing and finding the right tenants. The excellent ideas used herein can be easily translated for use in any type of real estate transactions.
   
   And, finally, if I were a potential real estate investor, not having already committed to my retirement plan, I would be in contact with Mr. Chan immediately! Why? This book shows exactly what I as an investor need to know to make the decision to consider real estate as an investment. And, what's more, he proves his claims with sufficient facts and figures that you can believe. That's a major accomplishment for those who are reticent to invest in anything that has some risk.
   
   Mr. Chan's book is perhaps one of the best written books of its type. Using the traditional training method, he first gives an outline of what he is going to explain and teach and then he repeats each item, both times providing specific details, but also anticipating any questions that might evolve based upon his presentation. You can tell immediately that the author speaks with authority, based upon knowledge and experience, readily confessing to trial-and-error issues.
   
   Mr. Chan opens his book with recommendations from those who are involved in considering investment options. By the time you finish the book, you will have gained a certain trust for the company and its team. However, assuming you are not in a position to invest directly with TurnKey Investing, this book provides sufficient details for you to learn about real estate investments. Specifically, the use of conventional financing through a bank, versus private financing, versus seller financing is explained. The author is open and quick to point out that the best financial gain is through the use of cash/private financing. However, the use of bank financing is also explained and the returns of each are explored thoroughly. For a potential real estate investor, Turnkey Investing is worth every penny of its purchase price.
   
   I think the real value of the book, however, is for those who are interested in getting into the real estate business using lease-options. Turnkey Investing defines a market and stays with it-specifically to serve the thousands, if not millions, of people across the United States who wish to own a home but are not able to gain financial backing through the normal process, especially in the early years of their adult lives. Lease-option is an important contribution in today's world of turmoil and insecurity. It provides a no-lose option to those who are now renting without any future return on those funds. At the same time, it provides an opportunity for houses to move faster on the market and a way by which a landlord or property manager can respond in a cost-effective as well as profitable manner.
   
   Finally, as a long-time planner and manager, I was most impressed with this company's use of Kaisen. This Japanese concept is the belief in making small, ongoing improvements to a business system. A review of their online activities which allows practically everything to be done online to apply for a home, the use of a hot-line as a means of dispensing valuable information and basic management decisions to expedite efficient use of their teams' time is a delight to see in practice! Even if you have absolutely no interest in real estate, if you are a planner or manager, study the book to absorb what can be learned from this efficient and effective team!
   
   The TurnKey Investor's Essential Lease-Option Lessons as well as CD audio programs and a Documents Collection supplement this book. However, this first book, TurnKey Investing with Lease-Options, easily stands alone as a major real estate manual. It's a Must Read for property managers, landlords interested in upgrading their activities, as well as real estate agents, lease managers and others who are interested in this major and profitable business!



3. With contributions by Wes Weaver, professional real estate investor and property manager Matthew S. Chan has creative "TurnKey Investing with Lease-Options: How To Simply & Safely create 12% Returns With Investment Property!" a comprehensive, "reader friendly", instructive introduction on creating, investing, and managing a profitable real estate portfolio utilizing Lease-Option. Readers will learn how Lease-Options work to simply and safely build an investment portfolio; how to generate steady, spendable cash flow through Lease-Options; finding the right real estate market to safely invest in for a reliable return; profitably manage properties while avoiding ongoing maintenance expenses eating into the bottom line; recruiting the right management team to build and guard a real estate based investment portfolio; even how to invest in a Lease Option investment strategy without the necessity of owning property. Superbly organized, informed and informative, Matthew Chan's "TurnKey Investing with Lease-Options" should be considered a mandatory study and on-going reference guide by anyone aspiring to make money consistently and reliably in today's volatile and competitive real estate market through the utilization of Lease-Option strategies.



4. I actually was a big fan of using lease options before i ever read this book. I thought i knew it all when it came to lease options and the different ways to buy properties using this method. Well, guess what...I was very wrong. I actually found this book by accident and decided to give it try. I mean another book on lease options...WOW. Then i started reading the first page, the first page became the 7th page and so on. Next thing you know i was reading the entire book. THis book has changed my life and my business. I am a fellow investor and the information from this book changed the way i looked at lease options. Matthews book shows you exactly why they are number 1 for lease options in there area. His ideas are cutting edge, yet explained so that a 5 year old can understand them. Unlike many writers who claim to be investors, Matthew is a investor turned writer. One of the best features i found was that matthew broke down the mindset of different teants. By knowing the mindset of your tenant this gives you a hugh advantage of the compitition. This book helped me to reach a new level of understanding and a new level for my business. LOL, if he keeps writing books like this then he may have to start a fan club. So, in ending if you want a book that shows in detail the art of selling on a lease option and creating a steady cash flow every month, then please check this book out. I promise you will love it and if you dont then you have missed out.



5. I was expecting a turn key guide - I just didn't see it in this book. This book had some good info but not detailed enough for me - a lot of high level, basic, common sense information. I have been a landlord for many years and own many properties. I wanted to use this book to tap into the lease-options market - I will need to keep researching. I am actually a little upset I purchased this book - it was too expensive for what I got.

5 comments about Options For The Stock Investor: How Any Investor Can Use Options to Enhance and Protect their Return.

1. "reads great, and it's less filling" Basic option theory is presented in a clear, concise way; however, because it lacks the theory, a novice investor would probably have his lunch eaten if he entered the fray with this book as his only background. And, good lord, do not be swayed into buying the book for its accompanying software: it's @#$%^. The book was published in 1997, and the software is a @#$%^ DOS program. ???



2. I picked up the book this morning and found it contained the same info you can get for free at the Chicago Board Options Exchange website. Furthermore, you can download the options calculator (Windows version), along with a slew of other training material, for free. I gave it two stars because it's in bound form, while the 300+ pages I printed off the cboe website aren't.



3. There are things you can do with options that you can not do with any other investment tool. This book, and most of the others, do a good job of explaining the theory behind options and their math. This book is no exception, and neither is the software.



4. Despite being an author, I do not buy many books, but I snatched this one up. The book clearly describes options, how they work, how to use them, and includes software I find invaluable for evaluating them. In my mind, this is the best book I've read on options and it is well worth considering.

   Thomas N. Bulkowski, author, "Encyclopedia of Chart Patterns," (Wiley, 2000) and "Trading Classic Chart Patterns" (Wiley, due in spring 2002)




5. From the beginning pages, the explanations are flowing and account for all levels of competency in options. When you finish the very readable book, you will no longer need to depend on others for advice; you become your own advisor. The graphs are excellent while the mathematical concepts are carefully explained. I now have confidence in my knowledge and my decisions. Hats off to Mr. Bittman! Only downside is that the software is out dated, but it was written in 97.

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

1. 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




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. 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!!

5 comments about Consider Your Options: Get the Most from Your Equity Compensation, 2005 Edition.

1. Structuring a deal with two companies to work for options - and needed some advice. Bought every book that I could get my hands on 1. Consider Your Options Kaye A. Thomas (Harvard Lawyer - (male) ) GREAT! Excellent advise parceled out with just the right amount of depth - but gets to the meaty stuff. Really told me not only what I wanted to know - but other things that I didn't know I needed to know. Easy to read - learned - good stuff.
   2. Better Than Money David E. Gumpert - Not as learned a book - but easy reading and focused on the employee side. Addressed several issues about negotiation of options in a hire situation
   3. Pay Me In Stock Options C.E. Curtis - Hard Back - but cheap. I would not recommend - a hard read, not organized
   4. Stock Options for Dummies Alan R. Simon The basics - and well done - but didn't address several of the issues that I wanted to know....How to get more ....and the psychology aspect of obtaining them.



2. An excellent resource for anyone seeking to understand and be involved in planning strategies to maximize the after-tax value of your stock compensation. Covers restricted stock grants, options (ISOs & NQSOs), employee stock purchase programs (ESPP). Various areas of tax planning are covered in detail: strategies to minimize AMT, effects of early exercise thru 83b election, gifting or donating options/stock, etc.

   The author describes topics in a matter that is both thorough and easy to read. The book is organized into sections devoted to specific topics making it easy to skip or skim sections that may not pertain to your particular situation (e.g. there are separate sections on NQSOs and ISOs). Additionally, the author makes good use of examples throughout the book to illustrate complex rules. This latest edition (Apr 2002) includes updated information regarding changes to tax laws as well as explanations of pitfalls that many optionees have encountered recently (e.g. ISO "wash" sales).

   This book is a must have to anyone who receives a portion of their compensation in the form of equity, whether it be stock grants, options, ESPP, or any combination of these. The book is both an informative read as well as a handy resource to keep on your bookshelf. After reading this book, most people will have all or nearly all the tools & info they need to develop their own strategies for managing their stock should they so desire. For those seeking professional advice, this book serves as a great overview so that you can understand the process and ask all the right questions. I only wish I had found this book sooner :)




3. This is the perfect book for anyone who has any stock options or who can participate in their company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). It starts very simply, and in a series of short, but complete chapters, covers the spectrum of stock ownership, vesting, ISOs vs. NQOs, the effect of AMT, and much more.

   Did you know that stock purchased in an ESPP is treated by the IRS in almost the same way that an ISO is? That there is usually no long-term advantage to buying and holding Non-qualified options? That you only have 30 days to file your 83b exclusion? (If you don't know what an 83b exclusion is, you need this book).

   The book does its best to explain Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), and althought this chapter fried my brain, its because of the complexities of the AMT (simplify it IRS!), not because of the book.




4. This book is good in that it covers all the basic mechanics of stock options -- Incentive and Non-Qualified, and ESPP plans. However, this basic information can easily be found on the web or from your employer.

   What is sadly lacking from this book is advice on strategy on how to manage options, e.g., ideas on when to exercise and sell. Because of this, the book is quite disappointing to me and not very useful.




5. Barring an extensive endeavor to compile the various option programs offered by industry on you own, Thomas' "Consider Your Options" is an extremely helpful text for both individuals new to the options sphere as well as experienced program administrators to pick up on the nuances of the various qualified and unqualified differences. Definitely a must-have for either executives or financial advisors who work with executives to use as a tool to help establish a strategy to protect and enhance their wealth. A solid addition to your desk reference library. 4 Stars.

1 comments about Secrets of Tax Planning for Employee Stock Options, Stock Grants and ESOPS.

1. This is the most complete resource that I have seen compiled on the subject of employee stock option tax planning. The content is arranged in an easy to follow format. This book is a great compliment for anyone that makes employee stock option planning part of their practice.

5 comments about Connors On Advanced Trading Strategies.

1. This book is for anxious traders who think the found the get rich quick book. 250 page book in 16 font size, half of it are charts for stocks that worked using his system. Again no testing is done. Mostly about Wilder ADX, DDI for day trading. If your day trading system is not working you may try this one. The best method is the simplist method. And the high priced books are not the best books.



2. I like Connors' brevity. He doesn't try to wow you with big mathematical theorems, he just gives you common sense explanations of why he markets work the way they do and gives you the zing-bang-boom version on how to take advantage of these market conditions. Not much thought is needed once you are set-up but, does it need to be complex to work? My only problem is getting out with my profits intact. I read the 2-for-1 strategy but mentally I can't execute. Need more discipline. I'm checking out Mark Douglas' book for that part. I am still reading it but it looks good so far.



3. I have to repeat here what I said in reviewing another (ridiculously overpriced) Connors book ["Street Smarts"]. The only "advanced" strategy Larry Connors knows well is how to make money out of the miriads of hopeful wannabes that overpay for his expensive books and for his TradingMarkets.com web site, which costs more than a thousand dollars per year and is just a hook to get the members to buy more overpriced "trading services", $5,000.00 tutorials, "ultimate" courses, fantastic techniques, books, etc., etc. Just think of this before you dish out your money to this guy: if he knew any "advanced" Trading strategies to make real money he wouldn't be peddling his overpriced merchandise for a living. Wouldn't it be nicer to live as a rich trader, trading from your yatch your great advanced strategies for millions, instead of busting your rear running a Web site in downtown LA to trap yet another fool who thinks that perhaps this new advisory service will "make him" money? Let Connors first show that he can make millions trading before he calls his strategies "advanced". Obviously, they are just not advanced enough to make him rich --though he will be soon, if you pay him ...for this mostly charts collection of silly trading advice. If you still feel you have to learn the basics from the popular self-appointed "gurus", do it at least with a minimal expense.



4. This is definitely Connors best book. I have most, but this one puts a lot of Connors best strategies into one book.

   Connors has made his money from these trading strategies. Like a previous reviewer pointed out, these strategies don't usually produce home runs -- mostly singles and doubles. But I think that makes these strategies more realistic in the world of trading. Anyone who is selling strategies with triple-digit retuns should be avoided like the plague.




5. Yes it is expensive but it has been a worthwhile investment. Certainly nuch better than listening to the pundits on TV who have their own opinions. This title is no longer available from the publisher. Over 30 awesome new trading strategies never released to the public before - for options, futures and equities traders. Clearly written, simple to understand, find advanced volatility approaches, the 15 Minute ADX Breakout Method - perfect for Day Traders, "Crash, Burn & Profit" techniques for scoring big when stocks implode - and more. See why the author of Hit & Run Trading calls it "simply one of the best trading books ever published."