Ameen Kamadia is an editor at The Trading Tipster.com. For more book reviews of stock investment books, free trading education and for our free stock picks please visit http://www.thetradingtipster.com
Jesse Livermore lived during the Great Depression and was known as "The Boy Plunger" for taking on large positions. He had been trading stocks since he was 15 and was regarded as one of the best speculators of his time. He made and lost millions, and this was back when a million was a lot of money. If Livermore was alive today he would be one of the most sophisticated traders around.
I've read this book eight times and every time I read it, I pick up something new. It is so easy to read it feels as if the author is talking to you one on one. In the book he reveals his personal rules of trading, his money management procedures, his entry and exit strategies, and his rules for emotional discipline.
A lot of what he says is common sense. At least it seems that way when he explains it but it goes against what the Wall Street machine tells us. For example, Livermore stresses that you should "never average down. Why add to a trade you are already losing money on?" He also describes the foibles of buy and hold. Many people of his time bought the blue chips of the day the railroads, steamship companies, buggy whip companies, and others who are no longer around. "Life is change" he reasons, "your clothes change, your kids change, you change lovers. So why cannot the reason you buy a stock change?"
Some of his rules include:
Always trade with the trend, along the line of least resistance.
Make sure all the factors are in your favor before you make a trade. (The factors are detailed in the book)
Stay with the leading stocks of the day
Group action is a key to timing Stocks do not move alone.
Do not buy your entire position at once.
Always have a stop before you get in a trade. (Livermore used 10%)
Never takes tips from anyone
Never argue with the tape.
You should not be in the market all the time.
One of the things that helped me was that after a large successful trade, the author recommends taking half the profit out of the market. Put it away somewhere safe.
Even though the author says he never used charts, it seems that he was a technical, trend follower by today's definitions. He got in on what he called Pivotal and Continuation Points which he describes in Chapter 5.
Even though most of the book is put together by Smitten, it is still an enjoyable read for someone looking to put together a trading strategy and system. Someone who is new to the stock market will find a plethora of beneficial information. I've also read Reminiscences of a Stock Operator which is the story of a trader based on Livermore's life and Smitten's Jesse Livermore: World's Greatest Stock Trader and learned a lot from each of those as well.
I hope this review helps you in your decision to buy this book or not. I find that it is a mandatory read for all investors and traders. It has definitely helped me to improve my stock trading. If you want to read more of my reviews of stock trading and investment books, you can get them our website listed below.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- The Great Jesse Livermore
- Spread Trading - My First Baby Steps Into Trading
- Improving Your Results In The Stock Market
- Jesse Lauriston Livermore the Third Lives by Jesse Lauriston Livermore the 3rd
- How To Trade In Stocks
- A Brand New Day in Trading
- Stock Market Basics – Stock Analysis Will Make You Rich When Done Right!
- Make Success in Stock Trading with Next Best Bets




Grant Money for Women - Free Money Grant for Women Review
By: Craig Realton | 11/11/2009Would you want to get access to grant money for women? I can understand that times are difficult and the economy is not putting you in a very good position to make some extra money. There is not enough cash for you to use because there are not enough jobs open to you. Well things are not going to get worse for you if you know your options and use them to your full potential.
Government Grants for Debt - Grants for Debt Review
By: Craig Realton | 11/11/2009Do you know how to get government grants for debt when you need it most? The economy is currently not putting you in the best of situations because your savings is running low.You might at one point have been looking for a better job for more cash but there is not enough jobs to go around because of the way the economy is. Well things are not going to get worse for you if you know your options and use them to your full potential.
Money for Free - Free Money is Now Possible
By: Craig Realton | 11/11/2009Are you in need of a lot of money for free? You are more than likely not happy looking at your bank account because you easily know that your current situation has an effect on it.Jobs are disappearing left and right and it seems as if things are only going to get harder. Thing are not going to get any better for you until you use all your available options and take advantage of them while they last.
How to Get Free Money From the Government - Free Money From the Government the Easy Way
By: Craig Realton | 11/11/2009Would you want to know how to get free money from the government that you deserve? You are more than likely not happy looking at your bank account because you easily know that your current situation has an effect on it. Jobs are disappearing left and right and it seems as if things are only going to get worse. If you want your situation to improve you really need to see what options might be available so that you can start living the happy life again.
Grant Money for Single Mothers - Single Mothers Grant Money is Available for Limited Time
By: Craig Realton | 11/11/2009Would you want to know how to claim grant money for single mothers that you deserve? You are more than likely not happy looking at your bank account because you easily know that your current situation has an effect on it.Jobs are disappearing left and right and it seems as if things are only going to get even more difficult. Do you want your situation to improve? If so, you will need to find out all the available options that will help you in your current situation.
Grant Money to Pay Off Debt - Money to Pay Off Debt Quickly
By: Craig Realton | 11/11/2009Are you in need of tons grant money to pay off debt? I can understand that times are hard and the economy is not putting you in a very good position to make some extra money. There is not enough money for you to use because there are not enough jobs open to you. Do you want your situation to improve? If so, you will need to find out all the available options that will help you in your current situation.
Personal Grant Money - Grant Money You Can Use Today
By: Craig Realton | 11/11/2009Wouldn't you want to get access to your own personal grant money? I can understand that times are difficult and the economy is not putting you in a very good position to make some extra money. You might at one point have been looking for a better job for more cash but there is not enough jobs to go around because of the way the economy is. Thing are not going to get any better for you until you use all your available options and take advantage of them while they last.
A Bull in China
By: Ameen Kamadia | 05/10/2008 | InvestingBook review of this book by Jim ROgers
How To Trade In Stocks
By: Ameen Kamadia | 05/10/2008 | FinanceA book review of this investment classic by Jesse Livermore
How Mortgage Loan Officers Can Convert Mortgage Leads Into Applications
By: Ameen Kamadia | 18/10/2007 | SalesBy using simple follow up tactics, mortgage loan officers can turn more of their leads into mortgage applications.
Why Is Counseling Required To For Bankruptcy?
By: Ameen Kamadia | 11/10/2007 | Non-FictionAll about Consumer Credit Counseling
What Does The Texas Homestead Exemption Protect?
By: Ameen Kamadia | 10/10/2007 | FinanceCreditor Protection Offered by the Texas Homestead Exemption
Should I Use A Realtor If I Am In Foreclosure?
By: Ameen Kamadia | 10/10/2007 | Non-FictionCan realtors help people in foreclosure?
Can Consumer Credit Counseling Help Avoid Foreclosure?
By: Ameen Kamadia | 08/10/2007 | Non-FictionHow dDoes Consumer Credit Counseling work in a foreclosure situation
How To Be A Mortgage Expert: Use a Title
By: Ameen Kamadia | 08/10/2007 | CareersHow to get a title to make yourself a mortgage expert