Rating: 
Summary: One of the best trading books available
Review: I bought this book because I had seen numerous refrerences to it in other places. I didn't have high expectations, because it sounded like a book of psychological discussion. Boy was I wrong. This book explains how anyone can put together a profitable trading plan. If you have ever questioned whether or not it is truly possible to make money consistently from the markets, then you need to read this book. It explains exactly what factors need to be taken into consideration and then allows you to personalize it to your own tendencies and strengths. After having read many trading books I would rate this one in the top 5 of all time. As Ed Seykota said on the back of the book "If you intend to trade, you'd better know what's in this book."
Rating:
Summary: The Best I've Ever Read
Review: This book changed my life. If you trade, then this book is the Light and the Way. I have traded and studied the markets for many years, but not until after reading this book was I able to form a clear, lucid picture of WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR SUCCESSFUL TRADING. Once you understand the importance of Psychology, Exits, and Position Sizing - all brilliantly covered here - then you will be on your way to success in the markets. This book will set you free from the oppressive chains of Newsletters, Advisory Services, Tout Sheets, etc. The impact of the study on Random Entry is truly liberating, and that section alone is worth the price of admission. If you read this book carefully, it will forever change your views on trading and the markets.
Rating:
Summary: The best book for professionals and beginners
Review: When I found this book in a bookstore, I - a medical doctor - was actually looking for the kind of books that offer an easy way to become rich at the stock market. Nevertheless, the book appealed to me, although it seemed almost too difficult for a medical doctor. I thought it was written for professionals. After having read it I know why medical doctors usually are not successful at the stock market. Have you known the classical biases you are proned to have, have you known that it is necessary to lose in the markets to make money (sounds ridiculous, doesn`t it?), do you know HOW to lose correctly? Do you know that you can be highly effective in the stock market although most of your trades are losers? Are you still analyzing the markets and try to predict what will happen tomorrow or next week? Do you still listen to the gurus who know what will happen tomorrow or next week? Do you know what expectancy is? Do you know that even 95% of a group of PhD`s are not able to make money in a simple game with a positive expectancy due to wrong position sizing? Do you know that it is more or less unimportant when you buy the stock (doesn`t make sense to you?)? This book tells you -how to lose correctly -how to take the profits -how much stocks to buy (ever heard of position sizing and do you know how to do it?) dependent on the volatility of different stocks -how to protect your capital -how to handle the biases I know, everybody has biases, except oneself. So you might not have to read this book. This book had the biggest influence on my life so far! Everything written is so extremely convincing that I more or less gave up to read the journals with the hottest stocks ever. And I made more money than ever before. With this book you can learn how to find a strategy that fits to you, even if you are an MD. Christian Hohenstein, MD, PhD
Rating:
Summary: One of the best trading books I've ever read.
Review: With all of the hoopla surrounding "trading" recently, it's interesting that many, if not most, would be traders don't know how to get started. I should know. I'm a professional, full time trader and I'm constantly being asked,"John, how can I daytrade and make a living?" After reading Van Tharp's new book, I finally have a great answer to that question. Sometimes I think I've read almost everything published on trading. Some are so basic they insult the reader, in their naïveté. Others are very advanced technical treatises. Van Tharp's book is refreshing. I found it a great read...a blend of the foundational concepts such as "fundamental analysis" with very advanced concepts including "expectancy"...a topic that very few traders understand at all. Along the way, Tharp gets the reader involved by asking plenty of self-analysis type questions. Questions designed to immerse the reader in the complete process of trading. From understanding biases and success roadblocks...to designing and implementing a winning system...it's all here. Whether you're brand new to trading, or a seasoned pro...there's plenty of material to dig into here. A lot of meat...very little fluff. I rate it five starts. Get it. Read it. Understand it. And best of SKILL in your trading!
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Summary: All-Around Great Book!
Review: I have read many, many books on investing and trading, and this is one of the best. I use Investors Business Daily and O'Neill's method of stock selection and trade entries. This book is the perfect compliment to O'Neill's work. Tharp emphasizes the importance of money management and exits. His chapters on exits, setting stops, and money management are among the best investing pages I have ever read. In the past I usually made good entries using O'Neill's ideas, but I often let too much of my profit slip away once a stock started to decline. Now I feel confident about when to exit a trade. I am trading with less emotion and making more profits because of this book. It will also help an investor or trader develop a good system. An outstanding book!
Rating: 
Summary: The secret of trading : yourself
Review: The book could be half as thick, maybe. However, it does point to the real issues of succesful trading : psychology and money management. If you only learn that from the book, well, you've learned a lot. 2 sides of trader's psychology are studied : what make you loose, and what make you win. It is clear and useful. You will make more money thanks to this book, after you learn, YOU are secret, nothing else.
Rating: 
Summary: 20 pages of substance.....not really worth it.
Review: If you take away the parts of the book in which the author:...describes what is coming up next...summarizes other author's work...tells us how important this info really is...summarizes each chapter...and engages in endless and unnecessay verbosity, then your left with a solid.... but sadly 20 page book. I found this book to be lacking in both substance and clarity...It is clearly written by an academician not a trader......The irony is I recently heard Van speak at a seminar and was impressed with what he had to say...go figure.
Rating:
Summary: Stay the Course
Review: The plan is easy and hard. The steps are easy, following them exactly is the hard part. If you skip or stray even slightly, you will lose. And it's human nature to change it to suit ourselves. I have been trading on the floor of an exchange for twenty years and have read countless books,magazines, and articles on the art of trading. This is by far the best way to be all of the trader that you can be. Just don't stray and don't skip any part of the plan. I guarantee if you do, it will be the part that you need most.
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Summary: Breakthrough Work on Trading
Review: To me, this is a breakthrough book. I found just about every page insightful, challenging my own personal beliefs about risk, trading, and position sizing. If you're serious about trading (anything!), get this book. It will open your eyes --- and your Mind! --- to a whole new way of thinking and designing your own individualized trading system. Too many Investors do not understand the nature of risk: how to limit their losses and maximize their profits. Too many Investors spend all their time worrying about Entry and little (if any) on Exits. Van Tharp's book will teach you the approach YOU need for successful investing and trading. Get it; absorb it; then apply it. You will be thankful you did! If you agree with my assessment, then tell a friend or relative who invests to get this book. Not only may you save them tens of thousands of dollars by doing so, you may help them become more financially independent than they could ever dream.
Rating:
Summary: Good book, but too good to be true
Review: Definitely a good book, it throws new light on how trading should be done. However, it seems too simple and easy to be true. I believe that ideas expressed in this book can increase your profits, but it's by no means a complete guide to trading.
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