Schwager on Futures: Technical Analysis by Jack D. Schwager

Summary: The latest book in the Schwager on Futures series, written in the highly-informative yet non-technical style for which the bestselling author is famous. Contains the most complete and in-depth presentation of technical analysis available. Features a synthesis of market analysis along with practical trading considerations.

This book covers all the basic topics for techical analysis for futures including oscillators, basic terminology, trend analysis, Japanese candlesticks, and trading systems. The best part of the book is a large section that has real world trading examples: a graph showing a market, Schwager's trendlines on the graph, and reasons to enter the trade. You decide if you agree and then turn the page to see if you made or lost money. This is very useful way to see if you paid attention to the explanatory parts of the book. Overall it is easy to read and well worth it if you are interested in trading futures.

Options As a Strategic Investment by Lawrence G. McMillan

Summary: This blockbuster bestseller--more than 100,000 copies sold--is considered to be the bible of options trading. Now completely revised and updated to encompass all the latest options trading vehicles, it supplies traders and serious investors with an abundance of new, strategic opportunities for managing their investments. Examples make clear the power of each strategy in carefully defined market condition.

The new edition is revised to represent the latest trading vehicles and applications, including coverage of long-term equity anticipation securities (LEAPs), preferred equity redemption cumulative stocks (PERCs), neutral trading, futures options, warrants, and standard portfolio analysis of risk (SPAN). The idea, of course, is to maximize earnings and reduce risk--no matter how the market is performing. Strategy techniques and examples show how to do it.

Summary: "Winner Take All" is a provocative and interesting book. The author is an avowed fundamental market analyst, yet he does not discard the validity of technical analysis all together. He also exposes the "gurus" we so frequently hear about in the world of commodity trading. People should really ask themselves why anyone in his right mind would want to sell the perfect system or indicators. If they were really that good, they would use these tools only for themselves. William Gallacher deserves to be heard.

Summary: This book gives you everything you wanted to know about currency trading but were afraid to ask. It gives a historical perspective of why there is not a fixed exchange rate, the role of the Federal Reserve and the Central Banks in the G-7 countries. The book has chapters on futures and options and shows you which charts and indicator the major players use. An excellent resource for trading currency futures and options.