The Education of a Speculator

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Summary: Intriguing lessons for the potential speculator
Review: How Niederhoffer has managed to write an EXTREMELY entertaining, yet thought-provoking book on his life and times, while continuing to manage his trading business is beyond me. While the book isn't an instant step-by-step guide to getting rich in the markets, it does serve the author's stated intent of chronicling the experiences leading up to his successful career, exploring the relationships between music, games, science, sex, and other phenomena upon speculation, and presenting a way of thinking that may carry over into the reader's trading practices if they pay enough attention. I only hope everyone that reads the book does NOT pay enough attention

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Summary: If you're serious about investing, read this book!
Review: The best thing about this book is that it debunks the myths that surround Holy Grail investment claims (DOUBLE YOUR MONEY EVERY SIX MONTHS! GUARANTEED!) and shows first hand what it takes to stay on top of the market food chain (and there are only a handful of investors -- Soros, Buffett -- who have equalled Niederhoffer's 20-year track record). When was the last time you heard an investment advisor chronicle moments when he tottered on debacles? The reviewer above is disappointed that the book doesn't tell one how to speculate. First of all he is mistaken, but more important, the book shows one how NOT to speculate. That Niederhoffer was also the World Squash Champion after graduating from Harvard from his hustling days on the boardwalk at Coney Island suggests that we can learn a lot from this intriguing individual beyond the stock market

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Summary: The Education of a Reader...
Review: If you are looking for great insight or help on trading or investing, you won't find it in The Education of Speculator. It is an entertaining book, but definitely not educational. Victor Niederhoffer provides his history plus the history of his family interwoven with a few bits of market strategy and techniques. If you enjoy reading about what life experiences compels a man to speculate in the markets, read his book. If you want to learn to speculate, don't with his book.

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Summary: Beware.
Review: The book is not kind to the many poseurs, propagandists and Ponziists who populate the speculative world. It shows how the wisdom that ordinary people gain from their everyday activities involving games, music, gambling, nature, connections and counting can lead to much better prospects for success than the guidance authored by the 100 most renowned gurus and magicians. Unfortunately such breaking of taboos, including the depiction of the public in its usual niche in the market as a contributor of money to absorb the substantial overhead that keeps the market running is bound to raise the hackles and incur the wrath of many within the market ecosystem, e.g. the dealers, the brokers and the large speculators. While I am certainly open to legitimate criticism and know that this book has many defects, I am afraid that a mole/enemy is out there attempting to poison the well. Please be wary of any critiques of my book that appear to be written from a scatological or pornographic mien

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Summary: Kirkus & Publisher's Weekly Reviews
Review: "Offbeat reminiscences and observations from a Wall Street pro who appreciates that there's more to life than balance sheets, income statements, and price charts. . . Edifying pieces of a lively mind whose education has been both broad and deep." Kirkus, 12/15/96 "Spiked with irreverent, often self-deprecating humor, this rambling memoir . . . is entertaining, outspoken and sometimes maddening. . . book is full of unconventional advice on what and when to buy and sell. Publisher's Weekly, 12/16/96

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Summary: The year in Provence of trading and speculation.
Review: The unified theory of trading with a touch of a year in Provence. Vickie's draw's from all the fields of nature amusing parallels and developes an intuitive trading methodology. Brilliantly explains the trading arena and its contestants, and the similarities to other natural systems allowing market participants to understand their link in the "food chain". Dr. Neiderhoffer's book is insighful and one can not help respect his intellect, primarily because it enriches and humbles us the readers . Moreover,his ideas are poweful in that they transcend to other life activities. Joseph Dirnfeld [e-mail]

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Summary: Great review in the 1-27-97 issue of Barron's!
Review: On Monday 1-27-97, Barron's had a terrific review of this book calling it a "must for every serious investor's library"

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Summary: One Brahmin's Foray into the Vanity Press
Review: I began to read "The Education of a Speculator" with much enthusiasm, but I found that seductive jacket-cover promises and excellent marketing were no substitute for overwrought prose, shameless self-advertisement, and simple investment cliches. Indeed, the guise of offering trading advice is merely an excuse to publicly rattle the collection of silver spoons which have fed the author's obvious intelligence (or appearance thereof). Although the book is salted with various investment proverbs, they are rather dim compared to the showcase of the Niederhoffer pedegree in neon lights - not exactly what I was looking for. Check out Jack Schwager's Market Wizards and New Market Wizards for a concise treatment of better traders, superb advise, and no egos. "The Education of a Speculator" promises unique insights into the mind of a successful market guru, and in that respect, it is quite successful - however, it is a mind affected with chronic hubris and a victim of it's own percieved success. I am forced to the conclusion that, in the world of elite traders, Mr. Neiderhoffer's particular mind-set is more the accident than the rule.

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Summary: I could not finish it...
Review: Several people have recommended this book to me but I must quite honestly admit that I could not make it through page 50. Victor Niederhoffer goes of on so many tangents that have noting to do with speculation, which makes it almost impossible to keep track of the red line... Instead of buying this book I would rather recommend "Reminiscences of a Stock Operator" - the world's best book on trading!