Charting: An Introduction to Technical Analysis and Its Concepts [Hardcover]

Michael Saul (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2003

Michael "Tiny" Saul has built a tremendous following among day traders, short-term stock traders, and swing traders with his insightful, unbiased, real-time, chat-based market analysis and commentary in the Trendfund.com live trading chat room. Each and every day he diligently analyzes the stock market with self-taught routines to uncover the best trading opportunities. In his new book, Charting, an Introduction to Technical Analysis and its Concepts, Saul divulges the technically based analysis and routines he employs in his real-time and end of day work.

Unlike most books on technical analysis, which include too much extraneous material and leave the trader poorly equipped to face daily challenges, Saul focuses on how to use a specific set of technical methods into a unified strategy for selecting short-term trading opportunities in all market environments.

Instead of being deluged with technical concepts, Saul teaches traders to focus on the methods necessary to pull the trigger on trades. Experienced traders will find Saul’s direct and easy to follow approach a breath of fresh air as he concentrates on what trading is really all about: finding consistent money-making opportunities.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

In the middle of 1999 both Michael "Tiny" Saul and I were members of another online chat room (that shall go nameless!). I was making money and doing very well on my own through what we now call Trend Trading, but people in that room kept talking about this thing called Technical Analysis, or Charting. I had heard about this concept and given that I was, and still am, always looking for an "edge", it seemed intriguing to me. I asked someone in the room, who had befriended me, what I could do to learn about Technical Analysis and he steered me toward, well, TINY. I remember feeling a little weirded out by the fact that upon my very first contact with Tiny, he gave me his home phone number and told me he'd be happy to help me. Being a good New Yorker, I'm always a little skeptical when someone I've never met offers to help me and gives me their home number the very first time I have contact with them! New York isn't Kansas, after all, ya know! But, since I was hungry to learn about Technical analysis, I called Tiny. The first conversation we had lasted, from what I recall, several hours. He was honest, open, informative and VERY funny. Later I found a deeper side. Tiny is genuine, kind and profoundly interested in helping other people. And, maybe most of all, he was extremely passionate about Technical Analysis! He seemed to know EVERYTHING! And, even better, he was interested in learning MORE and helping others, just like I was. I think it was our third conversation where I told him a little about myself and that I was thinking about starting my own website to help other traders make money and be successful. He said that was great but I think he was probably thinking to himself, "oh boy, another big shot wannabe!". Shortly thereafter, I asked Tiny to be my Chief Technical Analyst of what would eventually become Trendfund.com. My jaw drops every time I see Tiny do a seminar, or listen in on an online class. He is a true teacher and believer in what he does, and the good it can do for others. When WE started Trendfund.com the idea was to create a community for traders that was safe from the investing community and the media's ideas of what was right about the market. Given my scattered family background, in hindsight I think I wanted to create a new extended family of traders, all looking to help each other make money, and be successful in other areas of their lives. Tiny has been possibly THE driving force for the success of Trendfund.com outside myself. His passion empowers 1000s of others to seek their own dreams and achieve their own successes. When I asked Tiny to work with me for nothing, I promised him that one day he'd make a lot of money with Trendfund.com. All I asked him was for him to remain passionate and loyal to our members, and to put their needs as equal to his own. Tiny has kept that promise to me, and I've kept my promise to him. He's helped grow Trendfund.com from a tiny trading community into the true leader in alternative investing. I'm profoundly grateful that I happened upon Tiny from the other chat room. Like everything else in life, I believe there are no coincidences. I'm glad that I made that first phone call and didn't let my imagination run wild. Tiny is one of the good guys and I am proud to be a part of Tiny's first book! I congratulate my partner and my very good friend, Tiny, and wish him continued success - no one deserves it more than he! Whether you are a total newbie (new to Technical Analysis), and don't know a head and shoulders from a tongue in cheek, or you are a wise old "chartist", I believe this book will provide you with not only the foundation to begin your wonderful journey as a trader (or investor), but the power to enact it for PROFITS! Enjoy his book and tell him about it, cause it'll give him a big smile. MICHAEL "Waxie" PARNESS CEO Trendfund.com CEO Trend Trading to Win

About the Author

Michael "Tiny" Saul became Trendfund.com's Chief Technical Analyst in 1999. Armed with an in-depth knowledge of the stock market, trading, and Technical Analysis, plus years of hands-on experience, Tiny has guided thousands of Trend traders through the rigors of trading both Bull and Bear markets. Tiny's unique blend of education, humor and insight has helped grow Trendfund.com's member base over 1000% since inception. He has lectured at over ten Trend Trading Seminars (with more on the way), and he is also featured in the "Trend Trading to Win" video series. Tiny lives in New Jersey with his wife Janine. Their two cats, Princess Kitty and Buster are currently at Tiny's father's house, on an extended vacation. In his spare time, Tiny enjoys trying to avoid exercise and what else, looking at charts!

Product Details

• Hardcover: 151 pages
• Publisher: Trendfund Corp. (August 2003)
• ISBN-10: 0974339105
• ISBN-13: 978-0974339108
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,772,663 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars TV Infomercial Ripoff - Buyer Beware, June 24, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Charting: An Introduction to Technical Analysis and Its Concepts (Hardcover)

This book is indecipherable. I have an MBA in finance and cannot fathom what this person is talking about, much less apply his "methods" to stock trading.

Two Points:
1: The book is 150 pages. Not much more than a pamphlet. For $50 Dollars!

2: Notice something about the reviews below. All 5 stars, all about the same length, and all with grammar and syntax in common.

You reach your own conclusions.

Question: If someone actually had a stock system that worked why would he have to embarrass himself, and waste his own time, hawking his "system" on television. Wouldn't he be so wealthy that he'd be retired or engaged in philanthropic activities? Oh, I forgot. Because he feels a religious and/or ethical compulsion to "share" his good fortune with strangers. If he's so concerned about "sharing" why the $50 ripoff on the pamphlet?

Another Question: If the book has any merit why was it necessary for the author to publish it himself? The publisher is Michael Saul's personal corporation. No legitimate publisher would touch this.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Must Have" for Traders!, April 13, 2004

By 

cheree (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Charting: An Introduction to Technical Analysis and Its Concepts (Hardcover)

This excellent book clearly summarizes charting patterns while giving just enough explanation to be easily understood, without becoming tedious. Chart illustrations are provided for every pattern, providing further clarity. A section on "Analyzing Trades" is a wealth of trading set-ups and ideas. Technical analysis is finally demystified in this essential book for traders.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginners and more advanced traders, April 22, 2005

By 

Slartibartfast (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Charting: An Introduction to Technical Analysis and Its Concepts (Hardcover)

I give this 4 stars, because I never rate anything a 1 or a 5.

This book is for serious traders, not for those with an MBA in finance. There is a difference. I don't have an MBA, but I make money almost every day using technical analysis. I have learned a lot of that from Michael Saul. There is a learning curve, and if you have financial baggage or a "sure thing" kind of investing attitude, you might as well forget this book.

The details can be a bit much for beginners, but just paper-trade with the info at first until you begin to get the feel of it.

This book teaches you how to recognize the signals (like reversal bars, bull flags) that the market is sending about shifts in momentum and direction. It is amazing how well it works. Not every time, but more often than not, it's correct. And that's all you need if you want to make money day trading.

This is not investing, and requires study (like charting/TA books) and daily research. It's not for everyone, and you must learn the material, and then test it on paper before you trade for real, just so you'll be comfortable with the accuracy of technical analysis.

I'm not sure what the previous reviewer was referring to concerning hawking infomercials - I don't think anybody ever sold a book by itself on an infomercial. Certainly not one as dry as a technical analysis book. And specialty books get self-published all the time, especially when the potential market for them is so small (that probably explains the high price, I would think). I'm not trying to defend Michael Saul; he doesn't need it. It just seems strange that someone would use those silly comments to try to discredit a book that he admits he can't understand.

On the negative side, it IS EXPENSIVE. If you can get it used, save yourself some money. I also agree with another reviewer that much of the information here IS available on the web, but you'd really already need to know it before you'd know where to find it. Not to mention you'd have to wade through plenty of bad info to find the good stuff on charting on the internet (been there, done that). Save yourself the time and hassle by getting the book.

Bottom line, it's a good, accurate, (but expensive), technical analysis book. I recommend it.