Essentials of Stochastic Finance: Facts, Models, Theory [Hardcover]

Albert N. Shiryaev (Author), N. Kruzhilin (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 9810236050 | ISBN-13: 978-9810236052 | Publication Date: April 15, 1999 | Edition: 1st

This text provides information for those dealing with stochastic calculus and pricing in the models of financial markets operating under uncertainty. It introduces the reader to the main concepts, notions and results of stochastic financial mathematics, and develops applications of these results to various kinds of calculations required in financial engineering. It also answers the requests of teachers of financial mathematics and engineering by making a bias towards probabilistic and stastical ideas and the methods of stochastic calculus in the analysis of market risks.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The author's choice of material is outstanding and well worth the time and effort it will require to get through.." -- Journal of Applied Mathematics and Stochastic Analysis, 2000

"written in a very lively style, in which the author effortlessly jumps from abstract mathematical frameworks to interesting historical remarks" -- Mathematical Reviews

...as an encyclopedia of results and methods for financial analysis it's very impressive and certainly very useful as well. -- Mathematics Abstracts, 2002

Product Details

• Hardcover: 834 pages
• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company; 1st edition (April 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9810236050
• ISBN-13: 978-9810236052
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #445,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shiryaev knows his stuff!, September 12, 2006

By 

a reader (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essentials of Stochastic Finance: Facts, Models, Theory (Hardcover)

This book is typical of Shiryaev, who is a representative of the Russian school of probability theory. Not only the book explains the technical details clearly, but also it explains the "bigger picture" as to why this particular mathematical set-up makes sense and it is a good approximation of reality. The book reflects the (admirable) Russian style of teaching: explain the origins of theory, which are usually some specific problem; then carefully develop a mathematical theory tailor-made for the given problem; finally, disclose the essence of the problem and produce a beautiful result.

Before reading this book, I have been quite familiar with stochastic calculus and semi-martingale theory. What interests me most (sometimes puzzles me most) is the way how theory is applied to financial math problems, esp. the justification of certain "conventions" (e.g. we always start with discounted process, play with martingale measures, and do certain standard "rituals" in pricing and hedging). Sometimes people abuse those conventions when the theory's set-up is not quite appropriate. Shiryaev's book shows the justification and limitation of theory, by clearly explaining the origins and specific contexts of theory. This is especially helpful to getting a true understanding of the subject. I would say after reading his book, my mind has achieved a harmony.

I read Shiryaev's book on probability (GTM 95) many years ago. It was a pleasant experience. Now I'm happy to have this kind of experience again. From lines of the book, you can see the author's passion and deep understanding of financial math.
I only regret I didn't read this book much earlier.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo, November 13, 2001

By 

V. Ghazarian "RG" (New York) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essentials of Stochastic Finance: Facts, Models, Theory (Hardcover)

The Essentials of Stochastic Finance: Facts, Models, Theory by Albert N. Shiriaev, et al offers a clear treatment of both theoretical and emperical Finance. Shiryaev presents not only the essentials of probability as it is applied to finance,but he also covers recent develpoments in Mathematical Finance. It is very well written and it can be covered in one year (depending on the audience). Each topic moves from the specific to the general, beginning with one or more examples to lead into the theoretical results. This is the most comprehensive book out there. It covers Mathematical Finance, Martingale, Markov Thoery... to Econometric ARCH GARCH FGARCH ...to theory of Finance CAPM APT... PART II of the book requires a good knowledge of Stochastic Calculus at Karatzas and Shreve level...
Outstanding...

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Monograph, July 20, 2005

By 

Mamo Killo (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essentials of Stochastic Finance: Facts, Models, Theory (Hardcover)

This monograph starts from the very basics and develops as it progresses. Its historical notes found all over the book makes it unique and entertaining. As a mathematician aspiring to break through the STREET, I found it very accessible and comprehensive. If you have Brownian Motion and Stochastic Calculus at Shever/Kaaze's (how ever you spell their name) level, you will skim through this book with in weeks. But if you don't, don't panic, you will still be fine with some introductory level measure theoretic probability course.

You will enjoy it as I did.