Dancing With Lions: One man's odyssey through the Chicago Markets, Trading, and Self-Discovery [Paperback]

Trader X (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

Trader X has detailed his personal involvement in the business of futures and options trading. This is his personal story of where he came from, how he got to be a net profitable trader through his experience, and what he discovered about the true nature of the markets and reality as he has come to understand it. The book is written under the assumption that the reader has some knowledge or basic understanding of the markets. For the casual observer or reader who has no experience with the markets, the forward sets the stage for that person. The book contains additional explanations throughout to help the uninitiated follow along. For the serious student of the markets, or someone intimately involved in trading, the author believes he will fully understand this experience and find value he can apply to his own trading. The author makes it very clear this is not a "how to" book on trading.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...most unique points of view ever expressed. The book is written in a layman's style and would be fascinating reading..." -- Technical Analysis Magazine==December, 1999

"Destined to become a classic in the field of trading. A must read." -- Carlton Wentworth

About the Author

Trader X hsa been trading for over 10 years. He started by working in brokerage houses. Throughout his trading careeer he has realized that 90% of the trading philosophies and books available do not work. He set out to find out the truth about trading. This book is about his failures and his ultimate success in understanding himself and the markets.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Speculative Holdings Inc; 1 edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967283701
• ISBN-13: 978-0967283708
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,271,421 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Oh so trading isn't easily done?, September 18, 2001

By 

Mr. Wan (y) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dancing With Lions: One man's odyssey through the Chicago Markets, Trading, and Self-Discovery (Paperback)

The writer basically shows his experience how trading is no piece of cake, and many are fooled into thinking it is. Most traders don't need to read a book like this after they have been trading for a few months.

He also "exposes" the brokerage industry as an industry filled with coke addicts and innept jobs. Supposedly these people would snort coke while on the lines with customers. Well, excuse me I have not had a job as a broker, but I find it hard to believe it is filled with coke addicts any more than, say, accountants.

All throughout the book while reading the revelations that trading is not easily mastered you must contend with a giant ego, and statements like, "when I was a loser, I had no idea what I was doing. Now, I am a winner, and I do the right things."

He also takes a story out of Charles Le Beau's book, an incident that happened in the sixties. I have no idea if he met the same person an identical individual or he is making that up too.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very thought provoking, January 23, 2009

By 

TheLawyerTrader.net (Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dancing With Lions: One man's odyssey through the Chicago Markets, Trading, and Self-Discovery (Paperback)

Okay, this book is not worth the $155 price tag for the new copy but it is worth paying $20-50 for a used copy because Trader X offers up some thought provoking insight about the markets, trading and life in general.

I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. Other reviewers seem to be little negative about the book and they make some good points but I still think it's a worthwhile purchase due to it's unique content...or at least a unique presentation of the content.

***

I wanted to update this review because this book has been re-released as The Art of the Trade by Jason Jankovsky (trader X). I've read both now and they are essentially the same book. I still think that this is a very thought provoking book and I highly recommend it to anyone who trades or is interested in trading. Some may not "get it" as in, get the message that the author is giving, but it is gold for those that do. Now that you can pick up a brand new copy for $30 or so, every trader (both new and experienced) should own it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dancing with myself, January 23, 2008

By 

temnik (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dancing With Lions: One man's odyssey through the Chicago Markets, Trading, and Self-Discovery (Paperback)

This book does what it promises - it describes how one man stopped and realized how different it feels to have positive vs. negative P/L given the same market action. This is not a bombshell, but is quite readable and entertaining.

"Feel the other side of your trade" is how this book could be summarized. Then there's a lot of ranting about brokerage business and a bit of self-aggrandizement - which takes away one star in my opinion. Oh, and he knows two "100% win" traders... :-)

Also, it seems that mysterious "Trader X" is really not-so-mysterious J.A. Jankovsky - you can read his book or listen to him on CBOT website.

So let's sink another drink
'Cause it'll give me time to think
If I had the chance
I'd ask the world to dance
And I'll be dancing with myself