%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Calling Mark Douglas books trash may contain a bit of humor; but i did get a few good points from his Active Trader interview. Dr. Van Tharp did make in Jack Schwager 1 of 3 top trader books; Douglas didnt. Dr.Van Tharp did make it on Curtis Faith [elite nickname inflector] of turtletrading software recommended 8 books list; -Douglas didnt. In a multitude of counsellors there is safety; Solomon, trader king
Some like chocolate ice cream some like vanilla. I have read his (Mark Douglas) second book "Trading in the Zone" and heard him on a 4 hour internet presentation (2 years ago), what he said really clicked for me. Bruce
I don't think Douglas is useless. He makes some good points about trading psychology. Van Tharp on the other hand makes some more debatable points on money management. Personally I think Douglas is more likely to improve your results than Van Tharp.
Mark Douglas 2nd book (Trading in the Zone) was well written. His first book was not as good. He writing style was not as organized. Van Tharps first book (Trade your Way to Financial Freedom) was great. His second book was not as good. This was just a attempt to get a book out from the day trading craze. Both of them provided an unique insight into trading that should help anyone truly interested in trading well.
No objection to Marks material but to claim either book is well written suggests you have enjoyed reading chemistry textbooks at school. IMO Mark is a very good case for a ghost writer. I agree that Marks books will help more with trading than Vans books but I think that Vans peak performance course is better than either if a touch expensive.
Really, I would just go ahead and read both books. In the entire universe of trading book trash, these two at least likely to have a solidly positive impact on your trading without necessarily making you the wizard that other books promise. (Assuming everyone has heard of a thing called a "library", there's no reason not to read both.)