This is a preliminary list of books that I feel are important to the developing trader. (What self-respecting blog hasn't suggested at least a couple revelatory books?).
Last updated: December 7, 2009 (I know this list is insufficient. I have more books. I'm just feelings as though my comment creativity is faltering at the moment =))
Trading:
Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques by Steve Nison - Candlestick charting is one of the most used (and successfully used) forms of charting by traders. Nison is an authority on the subject.
Point & Figure Charting by Thomas Dorsey - Gave me more than enough reason to use point and figure charts. One of the seminal books on the technique.
Liar's Poker by Michael Lewis - See what happened in the bond markets of the 1980's. Lewis presents the scene in a humorous and engaging style.
Reminiscences of a Stock Operator by Edwin Lefèvre - The quintessential story of a trader fighting his way to riches.
Economics:
Irrational Exuberance by Robert J. Shiller - One of my favorite books on the psychology underlying the tech crash and the subsequent housing boom (and eventual crash).
The Long Tail by Chris Anderson - Explains how business has changed with the advent of the internet.
Poker:
Phil Gordon's Little Green Book by Phil Gordon - An excellent guide for anyone looking to improve their No-Limit Texas Hold'em game.
The Mathematics of Poker by Bill Chen and Jerrod Ankenman - A book that strives to increase quantitative/statistical knowledge for the game of poker.
The Tao of Poker by Larry W. Phillips - Learn to go with the flow of the game by applying the principles of Taoism to your poker game. As with many of the deeper poker books, much of the insight can be applied to the financial markets.
Middle Limit Holdem Poker by Bob Ciaffone and Jim Brier - Most poker books focus on no limit, which is why I like this book. It centers on limit Texas Hold'em and comes with tons of examples/explanations.
Philosophy:
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu - The Taoist text.
Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche - I enjoy me some Nietzsche every now and then.
Phil Gordon's Little *Blue* Book is also well worth a read.
ReplyDeleteOn a different topic, I am fascinated by your zen-inspired,
>If you want to succeed: find the trading Buddha and kill him.
I'll have to take a look at a copy next time I'm at the bookstore. I love his Little Green Book; I had no clue he had another.
ReplyDeleteHope it is a good fascinated =] It was always one of the ideas I found most interesting within Zen Buddhism. And, with all of the guru-seeking among traders/investors/etc, a little "Buddha killing" could go a long way for a lot of people.