An extremely fun and exciting read when it comes to books on trading. This book more than met my expectations. It will guide you to define your expectations and goals for trading in a very simple, clear and concise manner. This book should be required reading for any and all traders, beginners or advanced alike. It is perfectly outlined with simple steps and guidelines and then summarized at the end of each chapter. Should be read by all so called "trading gurus" as well.

The authors tried to cover many aspect of trading, from technical, fundamental, psychology,... he comes with a lot of information that bring nothing to your trading. He explain very simple thing in a complicate manner, sometime not easy to understand. I think he doesn't know much about trading and all his writing is from the conversation with others (limited) trader. If you are looking to learn about trading and want start to trade it is not a recommendation, you may try to read what Alexander Elder wrote for example. Anyhow, you don't need to buy them, you can download for free the E-Book using P2P such emule...

Essential reading for any budding trader from any planet.
Find out why trading is exactly 100% psychological.
If you harbour any other point of view, read this, you must.

Cheers, Yoda.

I think this book is over-rated. You can find better information in other books. For example, Alexander Elder's "Trading for a Living: Psychology, Trading Tactics, Money Management," and William O'Neil's "How To Make Money In Stocks: A Winning System in Good Times or Bad, 3rd Edition." Both books are good and easy to read.

If you are looking for trading recipies, this is NOT the book for you. This books describes the trading process in an open approach, whithout selling speaches, trading formulas or magical enchaments. It describes the importance of risk management of your trades, and the pshycology and biases that are part of every system. Though general, the offered information serves both from what someone would call academic understanding, and the practical side of trading. The book is not academic though, as you will not see tons of equations, proofs, or algorithms.
I think it is a must for everone that does not want to jump into trading someone elses formulas, but to understand the mechanics and the psycology of trading. It contains references to other books that will help you understand the trade reciepies.
So if you want to understand what you are doing, or at least what you are supposed to do and the biases associated to your decisions, buy the book. If you want to trade like a maniatic daredevil who is told what to do by following nonsense schemes, you dont need this book.
No wonder why some readers were dissapointed. My impression, its the readers fault not to aim to higher goals while buying and reading a trading book.

This is a classic title in the trading catalogue and it delivers. The conceptual structure the author presents is unique in its thorough emphasis on objective scientific analysis of each and every element of good systematic trading. Read it even if you tend to agree with critical reviews below.

I'm of the opinion that reviews on stock trading books depend more on degree on the experience and outlook of the reviewer more than the book. At times this makes it difficult to figure whether a book is going to be relevant to me. So I'll describe myself a bit.

I have been investing in stocks for many years using the stock picks from one or two good sources. It's been a way to build retirement income in my spare time. I've been moderately successful, but nothing to brag about. In the past few years I've been gradually becoming more active in trading, making many trades a month and recently many per week. I'm considering trading as a living or at least a part-time income.

I've studied fundamental and technical analysis through literature, webs sites, some books, newsletters, and my broker's courses, though I don't pretend to be even close to being any sort of expert. Tharp's book is the first time I've seen what I would consider a fundamental "text book" on trading. It's not a book on how to pick stocks or entry points though the subjects are discussed in the context of an overall system.

Tharp has created a paradigm shift in my thinking. He walks you through all the elements of a successful trading system, including how to define and measure one and how to think about trading. He asks questions and gives practical examples so you get the ideas and the importance of the issues. He's careful to work through examples and explain himself better than any financial book I've read so far, though he does not explain some technical analysis terms. But they aren't necessary to getting the value of the book (and give you some good topics for your own research). I've been at it long enough to realize that he's pretty thorough in the issues he wants you to consider. He also dispels commonly accepted thinking that leads to poor performance (read "loosing money").

If you are looking for fast answers, a get rich scheme, or an algorithm that will tell you how to find winners, what to buy and when to buy it, then you will probably be disappointed - but in fact you may need the book more than you realize.

I wish I had read this book years ago. It would have corrected my understandings of what investment trading is all about and how to go about it. I particularly appreciated the detailed explanations of risk verses reward and position sizing. I have heard "risk vs reward" talked about in many places, but never had it explained in a way that I could use it.

His examples may seem belabored to some, but they helped cement the concepts into my mind. I found Tharp's personable style and stories made the book easy to read and helpful.

If you have been trading for years and are comfortable with it and make money, then you may not gain much from the book. To everyone else I recommend it.

This is the best book I've ever read about trading. The position sizing topics alone are gold and can be the difference of being successful or not. but there's much more. Excellent to guide you to create your own system. This book is gold. You won't be disappointed.

This book is a must to be read for everyone struggling with trading. Well written, very practical and useful.

I had not read the reviews here before i bought the book at a local bookstore. But after reading the first couple of chapters i started wondering if it's me or the author. I could not make any sense of his writing. He is laborious, verbose, with too many references to elusive hints. The book tries to be ponderous but in my opinion is a cover up for light weight information. He seems to oversimply the complicated and complicate the simple things, as another reviewer mentioned. Save your money.

To be an excellent trader you need to understand each trade's risk and reward. This book helps you calculate share sizing based on risk. It is a very important work that needs to be incorporated in everyone's trading plan. If you don't have a written trading plan then you must have this book. Then write your plan. Use the risk calculation and you will be a much more profitable trader.

The book came highly recommended to me. Unfortunately, the book was quite verbose. He fills pages with dribble that is not required to get the point across which he subsequently fails to do repeatedly. I kept thinking what is the point Van? He does not trade himself. How could he possibly know what it is like? How has he been training traders since the early 1980's. When and where did he get the knowledge to do this? It appears that he is an academic, he studied the subject and called himself an expert. The chapter on position sizing is the most important part of this work, yet after having gone through the whole chapter he simply discounts the most important part of position sizing (the percent risk model) by saying that it does not work well and that therefore he had mentioned that it was only for tight stops. Then he admits that Gallagher's model is actually a pretty good way to trade (but how would he know that since he is not a trader?) Mmmm, so what was the whole point of this chapter then? Well I can answer that question for the entire book. There is no point other than to get another signing bonus from a publisher and bilk unsuspecting readers out of yet another 30 bucks and their precious time. Call me a skeptic. Even if he was a trader I'd like see his trading record before believing a scrap of "advice".

What you will get out of this book is having your brain stimulated into thinking about the issues he brings up. Then use your own IQ to address these issues from the information you already posses (from other books and seminars no doubt as well as your own experience) get on the PC and draw up your own spreadsheet to deal with how you see position sizing as it applies to your portfolio and personal needs. In other words do not expect Van to tell you what and how to do it. He will not do that. Based on what I saw in this book I will write a trading book shortly myself, but this one will give you step by step action plans for what you need to accomplish if you want to succeed - written by an actual trader. Let me know if you want one.

He does contradict himself: He says in the beginning it is all psychological but then in the end of that book the only thing he deals with is statistics. He also refers to an example of a game he played hundreds of times and posits that as proof that the results are valid, but it is just a standard bell curved result that he was getting, not valid proof of his statement. He does a great job writing and selling books, some of the content can be used if you put your brain to work and make it yours and you are able to discern the wheat from the chaff.

I made it work for myself but in the end I was disappointed by the book as its reputation far outstrips the contents.

Let me tell you that it is no small task to become a successful trader. You need to dedicate a serious two years worth of daily study AND trading time in front of the PC to become consistent and profitable. Not or the faint of heart. Everything you do and read adds to your overall knowledge so reading this book is still a very good idea, you just have to know what you are in for.

Another book I will write is about how this trading game is played and how the deck is stacked against you. It is worse than the Las Vegas Casinos. If you doubt that statement then read something by Richard Ney. That will open your eyes very quickly as to the shenanigans that are perpetrated upon us daily in the markets. But what is the alternative? If you want your money to work for you you can hire someone else or you have to find a system for yourself. Only the most determined will make it.

I highly recommend this book. It is interesting and easy to follow. It makes helps you think about your approach to the market and helps you fine tune your system.

Based on the overall excellent reviews, I was expecting to learn quite a bit from this book. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Tharp doesn't say anything new, and talks at length about a lot of things that are really not helpful. And the helpful things are much better said by other authors.

The book is full of contradictions (e.g., he advises the reader to sell all their stocks when they take a business trip, right after he talks about setting stops), as well as biased models designed to prove his point (e.g., his base scenario for position sizing is ridiculously naive).

As with the reviews on the back jacket and many of the "professional" reviews on this site, I suspect that there is a lot of mutual back-scratching going on. If you're still interested in this book, borrow it from the library.

The book of Mr Van Tharp is essencial for every trader, regardless his level. It covers practically every aspect of trading: entries, exits, money management, psycology, how to build a system that best suits you...I particulary liked his views on the keys to success: You can make money trading almost any system providing such system suits your style (the time you have to trade, your capital, your personality...). After reading the book I understood why some traders make money while others would never be able to make any money. After reading the book I stopped chasing The Holly Grail and start searching for a system for me. For example, having a full time job I should not follow a system where money is made in one out of five trades, because if I lose the good one(because I can not follow the markets during one whole busy week) I could hardly break even that year.

Well written and well organized reference guide that should be helpful for traders who have good ideas that may not be fully developed, structured, or analyzed. The book demonstrates how psychology plays a big part in the success or failure of a trader. It also helps the reader understand how someone can develop a system that suits their personality to maximize their psychological advantage in the markets. I would recommend this book to those that have first developed their own ideas on the markets through several years of study.

This is one of the best books on Money Management I have ever read. It is outstanding. I wish I would have read it years ago. The author offers sound advice on how to get the most out of your trading dollars. It ranks in my top five trading books of all times.

Existing traders and newbies will find tremendous value in this book. It is truly an outstanding read.

This is a good book if you are serious about trading. Psychology is the most important aspect and Tharp covers this well as well as the other important concepts of trading including money and risk management, position sizing, entry, exit, system development and controling your emotions.

Tharp includes several ideas from other top traders and provides a good book list to read to continue your trading education.

Just like you are doing right now, I read the reviews posted here and bought the book (couldn't find it in the library). The author reviews some vague trading ideas used by others but doesn't describe any concrete method. In fact, it says "You should create a system that works for you". If I had that system, I wouldn't be buying the book in the first place. Be wise, cut your loss short and don't buy this book. You'll save time and money.

Great book for anyone interested in trading the financial markets. This book concentrates on the aspects of trading that are necessary in order to consistently make money. Reading this before you read or do anything else will save you loads of money and grief!

the book is fine, it deserves 3 stars perhaps. but the position sizing is
way too superficial. given that this is one of the most important points of the book it's quite disappointing. one can't scale in or out of the trade based on price alone. some people say if price goes your way then add, if against you then reduce. some suggest doing the exact opposite. still, some are somewhere in between on this issue. i think neither approach makes sense. you entered on some condition i suppose, so if that condition is still valid and even stronger then you can add, if it's fading then maybe
you can scale out. the point is that sizing should depend on price and your signal and not on price alone. it just doesn't make any sense to me.

This book tells you how to go about defining your own 'trading strategy' or 'trading system'. It really helped me to define my own trading system, which I subsequently wrote about.

The most inspirational chapters for me were:

CHAPTER 9 Knowing When to Fold 'Em: How to Protect Your Capital
CHAPTER 10 How to Take Profits
CHAPTER 12 What Do You Mean Position Sizing? I Only Have $10,000 in My Account.

Tony Loton -- author, "DON'T LOSE MONEY! (in the Stock Markets)"

Never liked the title, but there's enough solid information in the book to make it worth the read. Trading is 90+ percent psychology and money management. Otherwise brilliant people can perform miserably using a top notch proven trading system without these 2 factors in check....

Great theory, a stock that goes up 15 points will cover losses of 14 stocks that go down 1 point so control your losses and come out 1 point ahead. No practical information on how to set up a trading system, only generalizations. This is the same book this guy wrote 10 years ago.
Great suggestions like be like Warren Buffet. Don't waste your money.

From the 4 stars and the fact that I got both the older edition and new edition of the book, I think this book is good. But constructive criticism will be given here instead.

In the foreword, The author admitted his confusing explanation of the topic on "expectancy" in his older edition, which was improved in the new edition. I just wished he could have improved the technical sections as well.

explanations for deeper technical aspects of trading strategy and indicator are vague and require additional resources for explanation. such as the section on explaining ADX indicator and Perry Kaufman's system are very vague. these sections of the book are very confusing and slow to get through, yet, I have learned a great deal in searching other sources for explanations on these topics. So for trading strategies and indicator, technical stuff, this book is confusing. but I like how the author gives his opinions on the effectiveness of various tools out there. cus we all know the tools are there, just need to know which ones are good and how they should be used.

other parts are wonderful. good book. read the other positive comments, I agree.

I've read a great many books about trading and investing, and in my opinion this book is the most informative and educational book on the market for traders who trade non-discretionary systems, or would like to learn the proper methods for doing so. His discussions of risk management, position sizing, and obtaining a real edge in the markets are second to none. Discretionary traders and investors will also benefit from this book, though systems are his focus.

I don't understand how some of the other reviewers could call this book nonsense. It is not nonsense. As a trader who trades every day, I can tell you that you will learn and improve if you read and understand this book.
Until you clearly understand risk management you do not have a significant long term edge in the markets. This book is one of the few out there that can teach you this.

Essential reading for all traders, novice and experienced. The R-multiple concept and self-examination are invaluable. These techniques will keep you in the market long enough for the positive expectancy to get in gear.

This is one of the best books i have ever read on investments and trading. But many may find it irrelevant or confusing on first reading. Being a trader and broker for the last 15 years, i could appreciate and understand varoius aspects discussed in the book. Further it also helped me get over various mis conceptions about trading and investing.

But i do feel he could have charged a little more for the book and disclosed much more instead of refering to his other courses often.

all said and done, an excellent book

Seems like most of the complaints about this book have to do with the idea that it doesn't lay out some perfect trading system. No book can do that. It does, rather, what it's supposed to do and help you develop the proper mindset to develop a system of your own. I think it does this very well. I truely think it's in a class by itself.

After spending years to educate myself about technical analyze, finaly I understood that TA was the small part of my success in financial markets. Trading is more a business and the success is attached to your pyschology and plans.

Dr Tharp gives a good point of view in this book about knowing ourselves. It is a must to read if you want success in trading.

While Mr. Tharp could well have chosen a title for his book that does not suggest a "get-rich quick" scheme, the material presented within is solid and not often discussed in the many books that are out there on trading the markets. He emphasizes the need to define exits more intentionally than a trader might determine entry into a position (in fact, he even suggests that random entry might not be an entirely irresponsible strategy). His detailed explanation of defining one's risk in a trade and determining what the expectancy is for that trade brings a new and much-needed dimension to the world of trading literature.

This book is a work of art,a must read for any serious trader.This is the first book I have read by this author,for me it's one of the best psycology book out there,It's a book I keep handy reading certin chapters when ever necessary.This one will never be out dated,great buy.

The author goes over all the parts necessary to get you to realize how important each part of your trading system is. I would have lost much money if I hadn't read this book. I would say that beginning investors need to read this, just for the fact that he emphasizes things that are so important, yet are ignored in a lot of other books. You may think of yourself as a good investor until you read this and realize all the mistakes you've been making. Yes you could fit the most essential parts of the book on a 3x5 card, but you wouldn't understand their importance, and you might fail to use it. Van K. Tharp covers all the whys, and WILL help you on your way to making a time tested profitable trading system. TA (Technical Analysis is light) but thats not why you bought the book. This is a good one, even in hardcover and for the price. I'm going to keep it forever.

Unfortunately, this book suffers from being both over-and under-technical, and the problem is that you sometimes have a hard time telling the difference. Sometimes the over- and under- happen right next to each other, confusing things further. His many references to risk, "1R," total risk, etc., are the best examples, and these are the things where the serious reader is looking for clarity. It is obvious that Mr. Tharp has deep technical (statistical and mathematical) knowledge, and is frequently torn between simplifying and being accurate. Albert Einstein had warned that it is crucial to simplify as far as possible, but no further. Amen. Nevertheless, this book is likely one of the best of its kind for these three things a reader should come away with:

1. Of all the elements of a trading system (entry, exit, position sizing, etc.), it is position sizing that is most important, by far. His illustrations unfortunately can be confusing, rather than clarifying.

2. Trades should be thought of as "belief systems." Staggering as it is to think that one's own trading system isn't analytical, Tharp is correct in reminding us (strongly) that we are trading our beliefs, and to keep that in mind. For the average person this is hard to do even after the second trade!

3. Think of trades in terms of risk units. No explanation in this review, as this needs to be read through in the book.

I really can't figure out why this book was written, other than the author's commission fees. It's long, repetitive, and doesn't have much actionable information. I've taken maybe 5 finance/investment classes, but I'm certainly not a sophisticated investor. Even so, for me the total information value from this book could be boiled down into 3 pages, tops.

For the novice, this book would be impenetrable. For the advanced investor, the useful information would fit on a 3x5 card. I have no idea why people rate this book so highly.

Take the title with a grain of salt. It's focus is more on developing structured systems for trading. For that purpose it's a great book and very thorough. Tharp focuses a lot on system creation and psychology.

Take the title with a grain of salt. It's focus is more on developing structured systems for trading. For that purpose it's a great book and very thorough. Tharp focuses a lot on system creation and psychology.

Exceptional insight on market approaches and personal psichology. A compulsory text for everyone who wishes to make a success of trading.

Thanks Dr. Van Tharp

"Trade Your Way to Handing Brokers All Your Money"

"Trade Your Way Into a Tautology"

"Trade Your Way Into a Random Outcome"

"Trade Your Way Into Finding the Magic Cupcake Inside You"

"Trade Your Way Until The Buddha's Third Eye Opens"

"Trade Your Way Into Writing This Same Book In 15 Years After Everyone Has Forgotten It And It Will Seem Fresh Coming From You Even Though Your Returns Are Only Slightly Those Above Trend"

Beginner or seasoned vet, you need understand what actually makes a success investor. Trade your way to Financial Freedom is very good at showing you many of the aspects of trading such as Position Sizing (so important!!). I bet you will learn something new, I did.

This books is at least 90% a waste of the reader's time and money! If you want to learn techinal analysis, indicators and money managment, read Dr. Elder's; and if you want something on psychology, read Mark Douglas.
This book is a perfect example of someone who does NOT trade trying to make himself appear as an expert in order to sell his books and seminars.

I am rating this book 4 stars (higher than it deserves) since it will get you to examine your trading ideas objectively and because it has key ideas that every trader must know. That being said, I must make the following points:
1) The book is unedited. You will read sentences similar to the following: "In this chapter we will look at a key strategy and then add it to what you read in the previous chapter and then later in the next chapter you will remember what you read four chapters ago, and add it chapter 8." Then there will be a sidebar that repeats this verbatim. The entire book could be written in a concise powerful 100 pager that would be an instant classic and sell a zillion copies. Instead, sadly, it will collect dust on shelves everywhere and look impressive in your library but not be read.
2) Key content is held back. You have to read fifty pages of nothing to get one sentence of value and then only a snippet of detail is given. Van Tharp is either too scared to commit his ideas to paper or wants to keep content available for his seminars or workshops (read high priced seminars & workshops).
To sum up: a dry, painful and depressing read; but one you must make to go to the head of the class and pass the exam.
If you want to pretend you read it, just say the following at your next cocktail party. "Yeah, position sizing is important. You can have a profitable system and still lose money like Van Tharp talks about in his book." That's it, I just just saved you 20 hours of reading torture; please send me a check in the mail.

The sheer arrogance of van Tharp is enough to put me off. The tone of this book and the advice and insight he gives beggars belief. Van Tharp in no way understands the reality of trading, which after horse racing is probably the hardest profession of all. After reading this book I am absolutely sure that if he does try trading he will fail miserably.

Trading is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for most people. It is not a profession for everyone, otherwise everyone would be millionaires. Nor is it a profession to be taken likely, which most people are lead to indirectly believe when they read this book.

My view is that this book tells people what they want to hear, not what they NEED to hear, and I suppose for that reason alone it will sell.

This is the definitive guide for those who are thinking they want to 'get into' the market but not sure how. It also is the perfect book to understand yourself and your strentghs and weakness involving your strategies.

A great guide to anyone who really wants struggle for his or her financial future through Trading...

Just about every newsletter on trading or investments is trying to amaze you with samples of hundreds percentage points gains you could of (would of) made if you were a subscriber. Big question is though, how many loosers you must survive before winner pops up? Van K. Tarp's excellent book teaches you what's really important in this business. That's not timing or picking just the right stock. Position sizing and loss control separates winners from loosers. Real eyeopener.

The book starts off with "the holy grail" analogy that most traders search for, with Joseph Campbell quoted to eloquently lure you in (that gets you nowhere) and then goes on to pitch to YOU - hooked from the title, to find that perfect strategy for "Financial Freedom" only to end up reading a sales pitch, followed by some more inner searching, that TRULY DO NOT help you with "Trading Your Way to Financial Freedom."

What burns me about this book is that there are people who will be suckered into buying every "home study course" "weekend workshop" (for two grand) "CD Series" and it's a domino effect when you're promised to learn what the title says, and that is NEVER DELIVERED!

Here are some quotes written by the author - you're smart, judge for yourself:

"I am not a full-time trader. I do manage my company's retirement funds, but I'm a full-time coach for traders and there is a big difference. If I were a full-time trader, that's all I'd be doing."

(Well, in my humble opinion, then what is the REAL MOTIVE for this book???)

"For more information about business planning, I strongly recommend our business planning CD series."
(Excuse me; are we trying to SELL something here?)

"What are your five biggest sources of internal conflict?. . . If you know the answer, just list all of your sources of conflict. You don't have to limit it to five. For each source of conflict, identify the part of you that is involved (see book three of the Peak Performance Course to learn more about parts) and what it's positive intention is for you."

(rakes you over the coals with "the Peak Performance Course" adds some psychobabble and then another sales pitch below with some more quotes to get you going in circles)

"If you cannot think of five sources of internal conflict, then answer the fol¬lowing questions, and you'll probably find lots.
What's your financial freedom number? If you don't know, why not? If you do know, what steps have you taken to move toward financial freedom? If the answer is none, why not? Do you want financial freedom? And if you don't know anything about financial freedom, then read the first section of Safe Strategies for Financial Freedom."

Now, HERE IS THE CLINCHER:

"First and foremost, I just want traders to know that it isn't hard to create a system that will generate 80R, which is 80% a year (if you risk 1%). The important part to realize is that every mistake that you make can cost you 2R, and your profits can just slip away. So the ultimate goal is to make as few mistakes as possible."

IF YOU HAVE AN IQ OF ABOUT 10, THE FINANCIAL FREEDOM TRADING ADVICE QUOTED BELOW should get you to buy into this:

"If you create a good system and do not make mistakes, you can make a decent living trading."

(Are you convinced now?)

Bottom line: There is no "holy grail" or "perfect" market strategy - trade for the love of it, leverage and diversify to keep your sanity and peace of mind. All this book does is try to sell you more products and services, the one thing it does NOT do is what the title says, and that is ENTIRELY MISLEADING - and THAT is what I"m so steamed about.


My personal book recommendations in the financial arena are: "Think and Grow Rich in Sixteen Lessons" by Napoleon Hill along with an updated version of the original "Think and Grow Rich" also by Napoleon Hill. Both are available here on Amazon.

in mathematics there's a general view that negative results are easier to prove than positive results. Unfortunately for Van Tharp his books are negative results dressed up as postive results.

Let's be honest here, what this book, and many like it, are just clever book hustles. Given that 95%, or maybe even more, of traders actually lose money you have to ask yourself about all the other reviewers here.

Human's have 2 basic drives: sex and power. Lets compare this to sexual literature: There are plenty of books here that claim you can get any woman you want as long as you know how to "fake it", that it's got nothing to do with looks, money, fame, talent etc. . . anyone can get a hot babe provided they know how to act and pull it off. See Neil Strauss's "The Game" for this example. Does any honest person actually believe that? Seems that they do, and they allow themselves to be easily duped by it out of an act of desperation. There are cases of friends I know who love to read books like that, and would make lovely pathetic excuses about why such and such a woman was not interested in them, but would never accept the bottom line: she was not interested in the first place no matter what you did/do.

The markets is the same, it easily dupes people. You can backtest strategies and when it goes live it goes belly up. You can talk about psychology till the cows come home and still not be able to make a profit.

Van Tharp can observe and write about successful traders all he likes, it doesn't imply that he can impart that success to you. That he himself doesn't/can't trade makes this a totally hypocritical work, just like all his other works. And I think you'll find that the really successful traders will keep their names out of the spotlight (unless they are advertising for increasing investment in their hedge funds), and not HAVE to write books at all, because they don't NEED to - unlike Van Tharp here.

If you want to be a trader I'm afraid it's a long lonely road, and books like this do not help since they give you a totally false impression of what it's like being a trader. The only trading book worthy of a being read is Remenisciences of a Stock Operator

If you don't know who Van Tharp is or what his teachings are then you shouldn't call yourself a trader, you should call yourself a gambler.

This is one of those life changing books that you rarely come across.

This is a personal journey, only you can find it, Van K. Tharp or anybody else won'nt show you what to trade if thats what your looking for, he will show you how to develope your own system, (holy grail) if you want to call it that, he not only teachs you to get in and out but risk management and position sizing, very important stuff, the book is worth every penny.
RayCoach