"The most entertaining book written on investing is Reminiscences of a Stock Operator, by Edwin Lefèvre, first published in 1923." -The Seattle Times
"After twenty years and many re-reads, Reminiscences is still one of my all-time favorites." -Kenneth L. Fisher, Forbes
"A must-read classic for all investors, whether brand-new or experienced." -William O'Neil, founder and Chairman, Investor's Business Daily
"Whilst stock market tomes have come and gone, this remains popular and in print eighty years on." -GQ magazine
First published in 1923, Reminiscences of a Stock Operator is the most widely read, highly recommended investment book ever. Generations of readers have found that it has more to teach them about markets and people than years of experience. This is a timeless tale that will enrich your life-and your portfolio. Stock investing is a relatively recent phenomenon and the inventory of true classics is somewhat slim. When asked, people in the know will always list books by Benjamin Graham, Burton G. Malkiel's A Random Walk Down Wall Street, and Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits and Other Writings by Philip A. Fisher. You'll know you're getting really good advice if they also mention Reminiscences of a Stock Operator by Edwin Lefèvre.
Reminiscences of a Stock Operator is the thinly disguised biography of Jesse Livermore, a remarkable character who first started speculating in New England bucket shops at the turn of the century. Livermore, who was banned from these shady operations because of his winning ways, soon moved to Wall Street where he made and lost his fortune several times over. What makes this book so valuable are the observations that Lefèvre records about investing, speculating, and the nature of the market itself. For example:
"It never was my thinking that made the big money for me. It always was my sitting. Got that? My sitting tight! It is no trick at all to be right on the market. You always find lots of early bulls in bull markets and early bears in bear markets. I've known many men who were right at exactly the right time, and began buying or selling stocks when prices were at the very level which should show the greatest profit. And their experience invariably matched mine--that is, they made no real money out of it. Men who can both be right and sit tight are uncommon."
If you've ever spent weekends and nights puzzling over whether to buy, sell, or hold a position in whatever investment--be it stock, bonds, or pork bellies, you'll be glad that you read this book. Reminiscences of a Stock Operator is full of lessons that are as relevant today as they were in 1923 when the book was first published. Highly recommended. --Harry C. Edwards
Customer Reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Enlightening book Comment: This book has a lot to offer a trader. It is about the greatest trader that ever lived. While not written that well there are yet gems of data that make it worth the time and effort. It can apply to any market - not just stocks. Customer Rating: Summary: Tradiing Philosophy Comment: Great philosophical read on trading in the market. Very interesting stories on mistakes made and corrections applied. Not a stock trading tutorial. Customer Rating: Summary: Reminiscences of a Stock Operator Comment: Many reviews have been written about this book. All that I have seen are accurate. It is a superb book and a riveting read. The author gives you a good look at the thinking of a momentum operator as well as a view of financial history.
The view of the bucket shops of old provides and insight that could be loosely applied to todays currency brokers and the pools to those of the hedge funds. Customer Rating: Summary: Best Book for traders and non traders Comment:
over 85 years old and still going strong, read it and find out why Customer Rating: Summary: Oldy but a great Goody Comment: Never before had I so much fun reading and learning about the psychology of buying and shorting stocks. This is an extraordinarily written piece of work that eases into explanations of the power of the subconscious as well as the power of emotions on the conscious decisions made during those uncertain moments of trading. Great book!