Diary of a Professional Commodity Trader: Lessons from 21 Weeks of Real Trading

Published by Wiley, 2011, hardcover, illustrated, index, 284 pages, condition: as new.

A top trader takes you through the markets and revels how he succeeded..Peter Brandt provides a play-by-play diary of his 2009 trading, offering an inside look at the difficult process and what it takes to excel at such a demanding endeavor.

Brandt clearly explains his thinking as he searches for the right opportunities and executes trades for 21 weeks. And by utilizing a diary format, he reveals exactly what it's like to trade, communicating the uncertainty that surrounds every trade and the discipline required to make tough decisions in the face of losing money. Along the way, Brandt touches upon his philosophy on speculation, market analysis, trade identification and selection, risk management, and much more.

• Fully discloses the methods and rules the author has used to trade so successfully for so many years
• Each trade include charts, an analysis of the trade, and a play-by-play account of how the trade unfolds
• Brandt examines all his trades and keeps a running account of his profits and losses.

"One of RARE gems in trading/speculating literature!
Numerous authors spill the ink about general principles, philosophy, abstract advice or other things related to the topic.
This book is designed around cold numbers: an six-months ex ante experiment in trading, presented in a form of diary. Yes, P. Brandt gives the readers few introductory chapters on his beliefs and principles (they're interesting and important, too!), but majority of the book is in essence a trading diary, explaining in details and numbers entry logic, setups, risk management and exits.
I found this insight extremely interesting and found authors personality likeable, too. His personal trading experience in futures markets also gives this book a lot of respectability: 30+ years in markets with 22+ years actively trading and earning average +68% annual return (average worst drawdown: -15%, worst year: -5%).
He trades classic chart patters, which I always found too arbitrary, but there's a lot to learn from this book about how decision-making process, mentality towards trading and risk management looks like after decade-long honing."

"I wanted to give the book 10 stars if I can. One of THE best trading book that I have ever read. It is concise, practical, thorough, and most importantly with real trading experience. I am amazed by how honest and detailed the top trader in the world disclose his trading record, thought process behind his trade, and his routine. Highly recommend anyone who is serious about trading in any market."