OK...just about to start on my learning curve, but am really disillusioned / confused!! Leaning a "new" skill, requires training and practice....right? Remember "fractions"......you have to start at the beginning.....so WHY do some of you state, that NO reading materials are required, (just read charts) and others recommend ABC ? I joined here, to be better prepared for what is going to be a "rough" trip......but am now even MORE confused. You just don't erect a house on mud (although some developers do), but you need to have a "SOLID" foundation on which to build for your house to stand up to all the "elements" that will be thrown at it. I just want to start off on the "right foot" Soooo, where do you suggest I begin?? What to read? (if anything)
Your starting point is Michael Covel's work on the history of the turtle trading movement. Also get Chan's book on algo trading and Leinweber's new book about the markets.
For 2009 - Lecturing birds on flying (with a foreword by nassim taleb) by Pablo Triana - mandatory reading. http://www.amazon.com/Lecturing-Bir...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247424159&sr=1-1 Most books on trading are not particularily useful - i own 100s and would happily give you 20 of them if you pay for shipping - my point is reading them won't make you profitable... but there are some must reads. Quant / Systematic trading- must reads Van Vliet - http://www.amazon.com/Quality-Money-Management-Engineering-Systematic/dp/0123725496 Other poster mentioned Leinweber- he has 1 new good book and is interviewed in how i became a quant: http://www.amazon.com/Nerds-Wall-St...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247424076&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.com/How-Became-Qu...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247424111&sr=1-1
nothing wrong with reading books. Trading is hard, no doubt about it. the odds are against you for the first 2 years. however edison failed 2000 times before he created the filament for the light bulb. asked how he felt about failing 2000 times he said he didnt fail 2000 times he just found 2000 ways that it didnt work and only needed to find 1 way that it worked. The successful trader will never give up, never listen to the naysayers. time is what you need, 2 years full time. good luck and read as many books as you can, nothing wrong with more knowledge.