5 comments about The ART of Trading: Combining the Science of Technical Analysis with the Art of Reality-Based Trading (Wiley Trading).

1. I have been trading for several years now. This book has offered me a different insight to trading and I just love this book!



2. The ART of Trading is one of the best trading books out there. Bennett McDowell lays out the concepts in a clear no nonsense fashion. Anyone interested in trading will benefit from this book.



3. I just received the book and have spent a couple of hours going through it. Quite disappointing since I expected it to discuss "principles", but found it to be primarily a manual for his software called "ART". The title should have conveyed the idea clearly, but conveyed the impression of a general book. Hardly 15% of the book talks about general trading related ideas. Buy the book if you are thinking of investing in ART software. I wouldn't recommend it otherwise.



4. I read several books on investing and softwares. The ART of Trading by Bannett McDowell is very unique and simple. This Wiley Trading book is used by several professionals in various countries including US. Bennett has put years and years of experience into the book. On top of it, the book comes with free trial of expensive software. This book and software is not "Get Rich Quick" scheme. If you are willing to work, this book points you towards the right direction. You only need right direction in the trading/ivesting amazon. Thanks Bannett sharing the experinece through the book and software.



5. 
   Most advice from Trading books focus on indicators and other stochastic measurements to help you trade better... but this book is focused on discerning market truth by analyzing the price and volume relationships. With the development of this ability the trader will be able to make rational trades and control risk and reward.

5 comments about Get Rich With Options: Four Winning Strategies Straight from the Exchange Floor (Agora Series).

1. If you know nothing about options, this is not a terrible place to start. But if you already know what a naked put is, you won't learn much here. The "Get Rich" title should have warned me away, but the jacket was convincing.



2. As others have noted, Mr. Lowell provides a basic explanation of options and of five of his pet option strategies. It's fine as far as it goes, but he fails to deliver on the book's most important promise, right there in the title: Get "Rich" with Options. Honestly, after the title, there is never a single mention in this book, not one, that anyone trading options in the way directed by the author will become "rich." The title is clearly a misrepresentation.
   
   The five option strategies explained by Mr. Lowell are said to have "allowed [him] to be successful over the years" and that they can "potentially increas[e] your wealth" and they have "given [the author] the most success in the markets" and even that they have "greatly rewarded" him and "allowed [him] the opportunity to succeed."
   
   Okay, so what? I purchased the book to see how to get "rich" with options. Once past the title, the author never says that he, himself, is rich, let alone that the five option strategies can make us rich.
   
   Moreover, all of the option strategies explained by Mr. Lowell are hedging and sale strategies with very little discussion of how, under the best of circumstances, these strategies will do more than provide some additional income. But make anyone "rich"? I highly doubt that selling strategies will cut it to make us "rich."
   
   Once again, to sell books, an author has misrepresented the substance of what he presents. No affirmative representations about his own wealth. No brokerage account statements revealing the wealth generating properties of these strategies. No third party (like a CPA) certification that he has made millions or, at least, hundreds of thousands, of dollars, which are now in his bank account, by using these trading strategies. Truth be told, there is no coherent explanation about using these strategies individually or in concert to make yourself rich.
   
   There is an explanation of the strategy, for sure. But, honestly, experienced option traders already understand this. There is, sometimes, a very rudimentary explanation of a vague counter-tactic when a trade goes bad, but nothing specific enough for his defniend audience ("the average, everyday investor" who, prior to reading the book, had no idea these option strategies existed, see page x) to actually use as protection from a busted trade.
   
   For example, many covered option sellers understand that your covered trades will, over time, tend to sweep out surging shares from your account (as your shares on very successful buy-writes will be assigned) and cause your "dogs" to linger. Sure, you kept the premium from the sale, but several of these inevitable down drafts, usually caused by a whole-market downturn, may have wiped out much of your gains from covered option sales over the past years. Yet, there is no serious discussion of this risk and how to avoid it on the way to using this technique to, presumably, get rich.
   
   Disappointing in the extreme. As I've said in other reviews, I'm sick of these authors touting "get rich," but not providing proof positive to us, the readers who shelled out the money for the book, that the technique worked, at least enough to get the author rich, if not anyone else.



3. This is a down to earth guide on how to make money with four option strategies that will work for most people most of the time. For a novice a single trade will more than pay for the cost of the book.



4. Geared towards new option traders, and those that want to move beyond buying out of the money short term options. The author presents his favorite trading strategies (vertical credit spreads, naked puts, covered calls, deep in the money call options, and ratio spreads-- bread and butter stuff, but unfortunately while informative, new option traders can't use this book alone to trade successfully. I would have preferred that the author give his when, what, where, why, and how to guide; along with his trading results using these well known conservative strategies.



5. He covers the subject and explains the trading strategies, which are great strategies, but I was not satisfied with its completeness. He focuses on how HE trades these strategies and doesn't always provide the explanation of everything that goes into it. An example would be saying if you're going to buy a Long Call, buy as deep ITM as you can, and considers holding it until expiration so you get a good price for your stock (this is solid advice for its purpose). But he doesn't cover if you DON'T want to eventually own the stock and if you DON'T want to hold until expiration. There are also other such instances.
   
   He offers a topic about how options trading floors work at the exchange, which will not make you a better trader, and he tells you this at the beginning of the section. He also includes too many graphics of his personal trade confirmations; it's good to know the strategies work, but one or two are enough.
   
   This is a good book, and best recommended to a novice to options that DOES already know how options work. However, realize that his explanations are not always complete and he does not cover every angle to the strategy. He covers how he trades his options. You will have to analyze what you want to accomplish and thus you may need to trade differently than what he offers (or at least you should).

5 comments about Stock Market Wizards: Interviews with America's Top Stock Traders.

1. It really doesn't matter at what level and style that you trade at, I think you'll find this an interesting read. Most likely you won't use the specific tips provided in the book, but advice about what mentality and behavior it takes to be a successful trader. Enjoy!



2. I bought this book because of one interview which was the best thing I've read on trading. It confirmed my own approach and added some additional thoughts which I found very helpful. You'll find information here that you won't find anywhere else. I LOVE all his books.



3. If you want to read about the market movers this is the place!!! Very good!



4. Too much useless background on traders. No substantial help for the average trader or investor.



5. a rare chance to pick the brains of some of the best HF managers. a must read for the PMs.

5 comments about The Little Book of Value Investing (Little Books. Big Profits).

1. The author states that over a long period of time value companies have outperformed the growth companies. You buy a value company when you pay less its intrinsic value (Buy Stocks On Sale). The key aspect of value investing is an ability to analyze financial statements of the company. The author explains, in the very friendly manner, such indicators of an intrinsic value like Operating Income, Current Assets vs Total Assets (and liabilities), Operating Margin, EBITD Margin, "Margin of Safety" and so on.
   
   The author declares that you can reduce the risk of loss in case of one stock's failure by building a diversified portfolio. However, when it comes to emerging markets, the authors suggest bewaring of them because of the frequent political disasters in particular countries. I do not agree with the author's advice of totally avoiding emerging markets. As an ETF of U.S. stocks like SPDR Trust (SPY) saves from one company's failure, an ETF that includes most of emerging countries, like iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index (EEF) can save from a failure in one of the countries. Alternatively, you can build a portfolio of stocks in different emerging countries (as if you do this for U.S. stocks) by yourself without using an ETF or an index mutual fund.
   
   The author also proclaims that cognitive psychology explains why some investors make huge losses because of fear, panic, or following the crowd when it comes to hot sexy stocks. If you like the topic of how cognitive psychology affects investors, I can recommend "The Only Three Questions That Count: Investing by Knowing What Others Don't" by Kenneth L. Fisher.



2. Great book as an introduction to the principles of value investing as laid out by Benjamin Graham. Very easy to read. With about 140 pages, you can get through this book in a couple of hours.
   
   I'd use this as a warm up book to Intelligent Investor.



3. I learned from a broad range of investing books, and I got this one primarily because it was a short book. I'm only about half way through it, but I think it is very well written. It has some important information on how to approach researching a company. One of the glaring failures is how rapidly the trading environment can change. The book specifically tells investors to avoid China, and I've been making a lot of money investing in my first Chinese company. Read and learn, but ultimately decide for yourself on what you want to buy.



4. This a very clear and concise book--another one, all of which seem lately to contain the same wisdom: buy low (and buy smart). I'm trying. You can still pay too much, or buy too soon, or catch the wrong end of a falling knife, etc. But it's certainly a far better idea than taking hot tips from e-mails, or from brokers.



5. This book was an easy read that introduced the concepts of value investing very well. It will open up a lot of possibilities for those who take notes. If the reader does not know a single thing about stocks this book will have some concepts that will take some time and practice before fully understanding them. That is why I would recommend getting another book that defines stock market terms and concepts in a beginner's format in conjunction with this one. There are some websites online, such as ABOUT.COM that offers a helpful "class" on stocks that will be most beneficial.
   
   I thought this was an outstanding book for the beginner investor to help them establish good trading habits early on, but will leave them wanting more. To become truly successful at trading, more care and education will be necessary. In no way was this a magic book of knowledge that will leave the reader capable of making millions overnight, which, by the way, isn't what this book is about.
   
   This book is HIGHLY recommended for the beginner investor, and recommended for the intermediate investor.

5 comments about Bonds: The Unbeaten Path to Secure Investment Growth.

1. In Hildy and Stan Richelson's opening chapter they break old financial premises and myths we had come to accept without question in "Bonds, The Unbeaten Path to Secure Investment Growth". They refute the dogma that we had to diversify and that the best returns are in the stock market, and they do it clearly and brilliantly.
   
   Bonds were as remote to me as Sanskrit. Yet after reading their book, the veils were lifted. I caught their vision. They simplified the bond market. The book is inspiring and motivating. I learned bond calculations and was directed to many informative and revealing websites, all of which were essential to round out my bond comprehension. There is consciousness and a generosity of spirit in their writing.
   
   Through their clear thinking they challenged me to relook at previous beliefs, and surprisingly turned around my whole way of seeing. It's quite masterful. There is no smoke and mirrors here, but real fact turned into a new vision.
   
   They offer well thought out, safe and secure, investment solutions. In this extreme buyer beware climate I feel they are on my side, the side of the individual investor.
   
   Thank you Hildy and Stan for your wisdom.
   
   J. J. Tanner, Arizona



2. 
   
   This is the best book on investing anywhere. For the past two years I have searched long and hard for a book that would give practical advice to a conservative investor--that is, one who does not want to lose money but rather wants to earn a predictable return on investments. Having read dozens of books on investing, including many of the most highly touted, I have concluded that Bonds: The Unbeaten Path to Secure Investment Growth is the best thing out there. Most of my savings and investments are in an employer plan, and thus are in funds of one sort or another, leaving little opportunity to invest directly in the type of bonds that the Richelsons discuss here. However, what has been invaluable to me is (1) their philosophy of investing and, having digested that, (2) their recommendations for the type of funds in which to invest, recommendations that can be found on page 315. That one page of recommendations, when supplemented by the Richelson's carefully laid out philosopy, is worth many times the price of the book. Since studying and applying the Richelsons' approach, I have had a year of strong returns and a year of sleeping well. To the critics of the book, I would respectfully recommend that you re-read it and then answer the question, over the past year have I had positive returns on my investments and have I slept well? If the answer is "no" to either of those questions, read this book again.



3. I read 300 pages before being told to buy plain vanilla bonds. The book is a yawner that makes a boring subject even more sleep inducing.



4. A little background on myself. I have read over 200 books on investing. When I started investing back in 1979, I went 100% stocks. Back in 1979, the financial press was full of stories about retired people with bonds that were decimated by the high inflation of the late 1970's. Bonds were probably the worst investment back in that high inflationary environment. I stayed 100% stocks for 20 years, and then switched to 10% bonds in 1999. In late 2007, I switched to a 60:40 portfolio. I evaluated my need to take risk against my willingness to take risk...and settled on the time honored 60:40 portfolio of pension funds.
   
   The authors of this book try to make the case for a 0:100 or all bond portfolio. They assert the 10% return of stocks is really 6-7% because of taxes, expenses, and bad timing.
   
   Taxes reduce stock returns because of excessive trading by active mutual fund managers.
   
   Expenses reduce stocks returns because of transaction costs and annual fees. Their assertion is 2% on large cap, 4% on small cap and foreign stock funds, and 10% on micro-cap and emerging markets.
   
   Bad timing reduces the return of stocks because investors chase the winners and they buy high and sell low. The Dalbar studies have shown for years that most investors do not really get the market return of stocks. The authors cite the fact that the S&P 500 returned 12.8% from 1983-2003..while the average investor only got 6.3%. The author cites a Dalbar study where the market returned 12% and investors really got 4%.
   
   The authors claim that a 100% bond portfolio solves all the issues that lower the return of stocks. They assert bonds are low cost if you buy them at their initial offering. They assert low fees if you hold the bonds to maturity. There is also no risk of bad timing if you hold the bonds until maturity. They also assert a laddered bond portfolio protects against rising interest rates (which I assume they also mean rising inflation). Tax free municipal bonds can also reduce taxes.
   
   The authors also assert that future returns will not be 10% because this historic return is based upon higher dividend payout than we have today. Dividend yields used to be 5%, but in recent years have been about 1.8%. A recent Business Week article said about 40% of the total return of stocks from 1926-2008 was from dividends.
   
   The authors asset that the longer you hold stocks, the higher the risk. Asset bubbles take a while to build, but eventually a Bear market arrives and wipes out the gains. But Bear markets are a part of investing.......we have had about 13 of them since WWII....or 1 Bear market ever 5 years on average.
   
   I really thought the authors made a lame argument when they said that retirees can run out of money in retirement if they withdraw 10% per year and they have a Bear market early in retirement. The authors must not be aware of Bengen and the Trinity studies. Bengen demonstrated back in 1994 that 4% is about the maximum safe withdrawal rate in retirement......not 10%.
   
   In my opinion, the authors could have made the case that from 2000 until 2008....investors should have tilted their portfolios more towards bonds than stocks. Because of the build-up of prices (PE ratio) in the 80s and 90s, history tells us future returns will be lower. The 1980's and 1990's were the glory years of stock returns.....with the S&P 500 with dividends reinvested returning compound growth rates of 18%.
   
   After 2000, John Bogle and William Bernstein both predicted single digit returns about 6-7% nominal for stocks. Bernstein argued that if stocks return 6-7%, then investors should tilt more towards bonds because the extra risk of stocks is not going to compensate you with higher returns. John Bogle has been consistently advocating that investors should hold their age in bonds (age 70 equals 70% bonds). Neither Bernstein nor Bogle ever advocated 100% bonds.
   
   With the S&P 500 now at 873, the dividend yield is up to 2.86%. The PE ratio is down from 23.6 in Nov 2007 to 16.5 in Nov 2008 (trailing PE). Stocks are now relatively cheap and I predict both Bernstein and Bogle will raise their predicted future returns of stocks.
   
   In my mind, the authors failed to address the biggest issue with bonds......their failure to deal with inflation. A laddered bond portfolio doesn't really deal with an unexpected increase in inflation. Only a small fraction of the portfolio comes due each year and can be reinvested at a higher interest rate. The balance of the portfolio loses value with unexpected inflation.
   
   Both Bengen's 1994 seminal study and the Trinity study showed that retirees can withdraw a maximum of an inflation adjusted 4% from their portfolio each year using 50% to 60% stock portfolios. I have run Monte Carlo simulations and have duplicated their results. What you find when you run Monte Carlo is that low stock portfolios (or high bond portfolios) don't deal with inflation.....and high stock portfolios are too volatile and you risk the chance of outliving your money. There is a sweet spot in the middle (maybe 40:60 to 70:30) which does the best.
   
   As a fan of index funds, I could argue that using low cost index stock funds and staying the course should outperform an all bond portfolio. Vanguard has rock bottom expense ratios on the order of 0.18% on their S&P 500 fund. Taxes are extremely low on stock index funds because there is relatively low turnover compared to actively managed funds. A 60:40 portfolio comprised of 40% total US stock market, 20% total foreign stock market, 20% total US bond fund, and 20% TIPS is a very robust portfolio.
   
   The author's recommendation of a 100% bond portfolio only makes sense if you are an investor who chases the winners and you achieve low stock returns per the Dalbar study. I guess in this situation you might be as well off using an all bond portfolio.
   
   I would suggest you learn more about index fund investing by reading some of the books below. I'm sticking with my 60:40 portfolio. I don't think a 100% bond portfolio is the way to go because I know how to stay the course through the Bear markets that occur about every 5 years........and I don't think a 100% bond portfolio deals well with inflation.
   
   
   Index Mutual Funds: How to Simplify Your Financial Life and Beat the Pro's
   The Richest Man in Babylon
   Bogle on Mutual Funds: New Perspectives for the Intelligent Investor
   The Millionaire Next Door
   The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio
   A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing, Ninth Edition
   The Coffeehouse Investor: How to Build Wealth, Ignore Wall Street, and Get On With Your Life
   The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing



5. We expect more return from our personal investing than can be delivered. Because of this disconnect between expectations and reality, we are vulnerable to buying a bill of goods. We reject reality because reality is not to our liking.(Don't we listen to Warren Buffet?)
   
   This book is about more than bonds. It is about reality.
   
   It is about you and me and how we want to get by on the cheap. We want the good deal. We want the free lunch. We want the bargain. We want to get 2 and pay for 1. We want the out-sized return with no downside risk.
   
   What Stan and Hildy Richelson are saying is what we do not want to hear: There are limits to what investing in any financial instrument can deliver. And, at the end of the day, bonds are not only cleaner than stocks but produce a more reliable, competitive return.
   
   Look, what this book tells us is that some investments present a more honest picture of their upside and downside than others. Stan and Hildy believe bonds are safer, more transparent and compete favorably with other investments which are less transparent and reliable. That's all they're saying (which is a lot!). And I agree.
   
   They are not saying bonds transcend the limits and inherent risks of investing. No. They are saying we have become conditioned to the lunacy of talk show pundits who dummy-down the complexities of navigating the treacherous waters of financial investing.
   
   As much as broadening access to investment markets has been a boon to capitalists, it has not been a commensurate boon to naive 401(k) participants required to become sophisticated investors overnight in order to retire. Basically, broadening access has been a sham. It has been sold as a blessing to the producers of real value but really it has simply been a gimmick to substitute investing for saving. Popularizing stock investing and promoting individually directed investment choices (instead of offering guaranteed income from a pension) exploits workers. Freedom does not equal making your own investment choices when you are unsophisticated in sophisticated investments. Freedom does not equal transferring a known income in retirement to an unknown investment return.
   
   Given the structural dysfunction in our system, this book adds a modicum of sanity. True, it does not relieve all the financial woe facing us today. However, it is a step in the right direction, it demythologizes investing. It presents a sane alternative for the few willing to transcend the noise and panic of the moment. I recommend it.

5 comments about Bollinger on Bollinger Bands.

1. As a beginning trader, the concept of Trendlines, Stochastics, MACD, RSI, Moving Averages (Weighted, Exponential, Simple) can begin to all blend together. And of course, if you are paper trading, or even actually trading, then your Charting software has the capability to show the Bollinger Bands to help you make your trading decisions. John Bollinger does perhaps the BEST job of all the books I have read on nailing for the reader the statistical value of each type of 'methodology' along with which types of methodolgies are 'co-linear' in that they provide you with the same information. He shows you the power and value of Bollinger bands OVER other moving average technologies, and finally, helps you get a handle how to trade. He is direct, clear, and very helpful in conveying a broad and deep subject, along with also keeping the reading interesting. This book is not a beginners book. You should either already have lots of trading experience OR have read a number of books on trading. Many of his examples are for Stock Traders, but he also shows the power of Bollinger Bands in Commodities and Futures. I highly recommend this book for the beginner who is 'educating' himeself through books and has a number of books under his belt, OR for someone who is doing trading already, and wants to improve their game.



2. It is quite mind boggling that many traders don't have some kind of bands, channels, and envelopes incorporated into their trading plan. I'm a
   strong proponent of using 'absolute limit indicators' in trading, though I do not personally use Bollinger bands because I use different bands in my trading. Neverthless, this book contains many patterns which can certainly be transfer to other 'absolute limit' type of indicators.
   This serious book should be studied by all technical traders



3. This book wasn't all that bad, and there was some worthwhile trading information in it, however it could've have been half the size had the author not wanted you to know how "really really" smart he was. As a result of this it included a lot of waffle about unrelated history about non trading/investing matters. Still O'Neill did it as well, so did Sperandao.......why do guys who've made a few bucks in the market and turn themselves into authors confuse themselves with Einstein?



4. I bought Bollinger on Bollinger Bands yesterday and only wish I had bought a year ago when I began short term trading. The book is NOT just about Bollinger Bands, although there is nothing wrong with that. It contains several strategies and Technical Analysis techniques. I have played around with so many Tech Anal's and just get more and more confused. Because of this book, I am going back to basics, using Bollinger and Volume and go from there. I highly recommend this book...terrific for beginning traders and the more experienced. John Bollinger is gold, deserving of his master reputation.



5. This is an attempt to provide a well structured approach to trading. It is a good read, but I'm biased by liking Bollinger bands. If you know you don't like them, this book is not for you. Other ideas are presented but the bands are a non-trivial component. I also find it very valualbe to get an overall system presented by a veteran in the field.
   
   The author doesn't try to synthesise everything so it is not a textbook. That is good, especially when it comes to trading books. I don't like when the authors hide beweeen one hundred indicators and do not provide their reasoned view. Bollinger presents his view and that is all we need in his book on trading.
   
   I read somewhere (can't remember where) that the author was preparing a book on a more comprehensive view on trading. I don't know if this is still in the works. I hope it is. The current book can be improved in certain areas, for instance the discussion on volume.
   
   I have written several short reviews on trading books. The best way is to compare the score on the books I've read. Many reviews on amazon.com are just glorious 5 star reviews. I use all five categories; sorry but everything isn't "great". Books rated 5 are very good. Books rated 4 are good solid books well worth reading. Books rated 3 can be bought by some people who read a lot or have very specific needs. Books rated 1 or 2 I would not recommend buying or reading. Naturally all in my humble opinion.

5 comments about Understanding Wall Street.

1. The first time I read this book was 20 years ago and was impressed with its thoroughness and ease in understanding. I teach at a junior college and offered the students an opportunity to learn a little more about investing that was not covered in their text. This book was complete enough to cover most of the topics and condensed enough for them to read considering their limited free time.



2. I had hoped this would be a clearly written and interesting explanation of the general workings of the stock market for someone who has never really understood it. But it goes into far too much detail, defining every little term and process. Maybe it's just a subject that cannot be made interesting or relatively simple, but in any case, this book does not accomplish those things.



3. Jeffrey Little and Lucien Rhodes' treatise "Understanding Wall Street" is a very valuable guide for the neophyte desiring the critical knowledge of how the financial nerve center of North America operates.
   
   Rich with historical insight, this guide details the origins and subsequent transformation of some of the world's most prominent stock exchanges located on the street synonymous with wealth and power: Wall Street.
   
   To that end the guide is easily readable and understandable. Complete with examples, explanations, and a comprehensive glossary I found the guide to complete and fill a hole in the much needed understanding of the financial facet of comparative government and civic theory studies.
   
   I rate the text at five stars for providing a lot of information at only 300 pages. This review refers to the 2004 Fourth Edition.



4. In the late 80's, as a neophyte investor, I picked up more than I imagined I would from Understanding Wall Street.
   
   In the late 90's, as an industry professional, I frequently turned through the pages of my tattered old 3rd edition for a great review from time to time.
   
   Today, as an adjunct professor, I am still amazed at the book's scope and ease of understanding. And, I find myself recommending Understanding Wall Street before, during, and after it's apparent that 50lb text books don't always carry their weight.
   
   If you have the slightest desire to learn about the world of investing, Understanding Wall Street just may be your best initial investment.



5. Understanding Wall Stret (most recent paperback edition) is an excellent book. Shipment arrived in time as promised and in perfect condition. I am completely satisfied with how this order was handled.

5 comments about ETF Trading Strategies Revealed (Trade Secrets (Marketplace Books)).

1. I am a market participant that has been successful using various "Active" strategies.
   What I really like about ETF Trading Strategies Revealed is that it is not filled with "extras" to make it larger and harder to get to the meat of the issue. There is a sharing of a good workable active strategies that warrant consideration for at least a portion of your portfolio.
   
   There is a background presented briefly and some strategies that are tradable just as they are written. If you are new to any kind of active portfolio management, you can trade this system and most likely improve your returns at less risk or drawdown.
   
   If you have experience in this arena, it is a good basis to test and refine for even better risk adjusted returns.
   
   All of this without having to wade through hundreds of pages of filler.
   
   Highly recommended



2. As previous reviews have stated, this book is very simply written and brief, which is great. Mr. Vomund knows how to communicate to the reader without being ambiguous and makes sure that everything is stated such that no pertinant detail is missed (as with the case with most books discussing strategies). I have corresponded frequently with the author via email and have found him to be both personable and intelligent. I recommend this book to anyone desirous of educating themselves on the subject of the growing phenomenon, ETF's.



3. The book's title is a little misleading. There's only one strategy that's "revealed" here, that of style rotation -- here style can mean "market cap groups" or "sectors," etc. The book is really slim, totaling about 90 pages, of which only 30 are truly useful. The other 60 pages are just fluff. The ETF introduction chapter is ridiculously light on details; it contains gems such as "you can't tell liquidity from trading volumes" -- okay, what should we be looking for, then? There's a chapter with an interivew with Linda Raschke and another on charting written by Steve Palmquist; neither chapter contributes anything at all to the rotation strategies discussed in part 3 of the book. The book concludes with a brief discussion of trading plan by some "doctor."
   
   So, you'll buy the book only for the 30 or so pages on rotation strategies. Actually, it's one strategy with a few variations. The author shows you backtesting results using index data and then ETF data (the latter covers a much shorter period, usually only from 2002 on). I do like the fact that in at least one of the tests he didn't forget to include transaction cost. The strategies are simple and may work if followed religiously. The author discusses a few ways of building on top of the basic principles. For me, these 30 pages are worth the (Amazon) price of the book, although similar information can be found, for free, on the web.



4. On the background of some simple strategies, the book appears to concentrate on promoting its website resources. There is no "Aha" strategy here.



5. I read this book with great interest. It offers what other publications covering ETF Style and Sector investing have missed -a practical, direct approach to successfully IMPLEMENTING tested investment strategies.
   
   I especially appreciate the timely supporting data the author, David Vomund, offers on his website www.etftradingstrategies.com, at the two tabs labeled Analysis and Strategies. That weekly-updated information, along with the book, help me understand and accurately execute the recommended trading strategies. It's really not any more complicated than that. I'm committed to adopting two of the strategies and excited to begin trading soon.
   
   I also want to offer my thanks to the 16 reviewers before me who have shared thoughtful comments about this book and the author. Were it not for you, I may never have noticed or purchased David's book.
   
   

No comments about The 100 Best Stocks You Can Buy, 2009: Over 250,000 Copies Sold - Completely Updated (100 Best Stocks You Can Buy).

5 comments about Stikky Stock Charts: Learn The 8 Major Stock Chart Patterns Used By Professionals And How To Interpret Them To Trade Smart--in OSne Hour, Guaranteed (Stikky).

1. I have been investing for a short amount of time, but I am new to chart-reading and all the trading fundamentals. This book was a great place to start and I really loved the presentation of it as well. Cheap too.



2. What can a stock chart tell you? Well, it can tell you what masses of people are thinking... and what they might do next. If you think that might help you with your investing or trading, then this book is a cheap and easy to understand introduction for you. I read it through several times until I could just look at a chart and pick out some major patterns.
   
   The book gives you clear examples of typical chart patterns and what they mean. It also has examples where YOU draw the lines and make the interpretations. Don't skip over that part. Physically drawing on paper has a way of ingraining something into your mind more than clicking buttons on a computer screen or just skimming through pages, for the same reason some people take notes in class and never look at them again.
   
   Certainly, this book is aimed at people who know little to nothing about the subject, like other Stikky books, so don't expect any deep revelations here. But for the new or casually curious investor, I would highly recommend it!



3. This is a well-written, easy to understand, beginning chart reading book. I would recommend that anyone interested in learning to understand how to draw trend lines and to recognize certain chart patterns read this book.



4. In large print with big pictures (of charts), this 226-page guide is designed to be read in two 30-minute sessions, with at least a few days in between them. Readers are first introduced to various chart patterns and then shown partial charts and asked to predict what a stock will do based on the patterns. The following page shows the results.
   
   The eight major stock-chart patterns taught herein are rectangle, channel, double top, head and shoulders, megaphone, ascending triangle, descending triangle, and symmetrical triangle. Although these patterns don't always play out as they should in real life, more often than not, they are reliably bullish or bearish signs. I've been able to use the knowledge gained from this book to help me making buying and selling decisions in the real market, especially when combined with sound fundamental analysis.
   
   The only real drawback to the book is that, since you must write in it (draw charts), it can only be truly experienced once. I first read it about two years ago and then wanted to review it a few months back, and my previous chart-drawing reduced the worthiness of the review session. Regardless, I highly recommend the book and plan to buy one or two additional copies for myself and/or a friend.



5. This is the SEE JANE RUN of stock books but it will teach you the beginnings of trading. If you still work (or not)and you would like to some day trade your hard earned cash get this book.