Customer Reviews

Martin Pring's Introduction to Technical Analysis: A CD-ROM Seminar and Workbook

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Sorry to give it only 3 stars -- the material is actually 5 stars, the only problem is you can get several times as much stuff on the same subject (twice as many pages, much smaller font) from the same author if you buy his "Technical Analysis Explained" -- which is actually cheaper! The only reason I bought this product was the CD, which turned out to be a big disappointment. It would be perfect twenty years ago, but in the age of the Internet and stunningly beautiful computer games, I expected something more high-tech and visually pleasing. Pale gray -- black -- pinkish gray palette range just doesn't impress any more, as well as the author's reading his own book aloud while showing some of the text on the screen in the ugliest colors imaginable. Sometimes it shows a stock chart, but even in this case it could be more interactive and attractive. I expected at least some real "multimedia" stuff, like short movies, maybe interviews with real traders, parts of lectures, maybe letting me draw a trendline or make a "trade" based on what I learned (after all, they even have speach recognition on language course CDs) -- and there was none. In short, if you feel like listening to a book on tape while sitting at your computer, this is for you. Again, the material itself is superb, so if I did it again, I would buy Pring's "TA Explained".

When it comes to trading, basic is best. My trading library has grown extensively but the basic principals outlined in this excellent tutorial are the ones that have resulted in profits. I have returned to the basics and I now use this CD and workbook as my reference. I like that the workbook exactly follows the CD because I know that when I am reviewing the book I am getting everything explained in the CD. I would also add that this book goes beyond the basics. This book gives very practical advice on using technical analysis and making smart trading decisions. Every trader or aspiring trader should own this package.

There are several problems that I had with this book. First, it is basically an audio book with charts. In some ways, it is nice to hear an explanation while seeing it on a chart, but if you are used to learning from textbooks, then this book/CD is a nightmare. The written text offers nothing additional to the audio, and the CD has problems (sometimes it would lose audio for spans of time, and these gaps were not filled in by the text). It is also extremely basic, to the point that all the information is found easily and presented just as clearly on the internet, for example on about.com. Also, due to the audio nature of the book, you can't really control the pace or skip through basic pages like you can with a regular book. The book was OK, considering that it was an overview; but considering that you can get the same information for free, I would not bother with it and would just skip to a more comprehensive text, such as Technical Analysis of Financial Markets by Murphy.

Virtually all the great traders, regardless of whether they are technical, fundamental or both agree on keeping your ideas simple. Why do pro athletes go over the basics during training and practice? Because that is where a lot of games or won or lost. Get the bssics right. Only fools think they know it all. Too many people especially in technical analysis like to have complicated theories with interpretaions that for the rest of us are to hard to decifer. This book delivers a ton of information clearly, concisely and correctly. Yes the CD is very much like the book, but this repetition really helps drive the principals home. Furthermore, the dialog, color charts and pointers on the CD help with difficult or confusing concepts. For you advanced traders don't ignore this book. It does an excellent job of covering all the bases. This book will be the conerstone of my spring training and my cheat book during the season!

I've probably bought over 100 trading books and this one stands out as one the top 3 I've bought. Even though I've been involved in trading for a few years and nearly didn't buy this book , thinking I already knew it all , I was pleased to find a wealth of information in Mr. Prings book that I had either forgotten or never learned properly. The CD was very useful, anything I hadn't retained from reading the book was picked up after watching the CD. If you've bought as many books as I have, you know how dissapointing most trading books are. This is one thats actually worth the money. If you are a beginner it's a must.

Excellent beginner book that covers the fundamentals of investing. I find Mr. Pring's coverage of the listed topics brief yet insightful. The book and the CD go together too well in that Mr. Pring actually reads the book to you. (I can read very well on my own, thank you). I would have expected the book to offer more detailed examples to better illustrate the point made on the CD. I have put the material learned to use and found several instance where past mistakes could have been avoided. Recommended!

Although the cd rom covers identical material from the book it is much better than reading in that you get to be graded at the end of each section with the interactive quizes.. That previous review was unjust.. I baught another book by Pring and I'll admit I started out not liking his style but I later learned that the book I got was not for beginers and this one is.. If your a beginer or intermediate this is a very good one..

As far as drawing trendlines goes this book is better than any that I've read yet.. Combined with other books / techniques you'll be able to greatly benifit with Prings trading style..

Although some of the sections were outstanding some were lacking information to thoughly understand the subject (which is where I'm at now) and for that reason I'm giving it 4 stars insted of 5 but at the price this book is selling at with the cd rom it's selling at half the value in my opinion.. I've also noticed that some of the explanations on chart patterns contradict what I've read on patterns in Enclyopedia of Chart Patterns.. I'm trying to learn who is right Pring or Bulkowski..

As far as indicators go I think that Pring might use too many.. In my opinion you should use a combination of indicators that seem to work with your trading style not using as many as you can..

Pring is no doubt a guru but in some areas should provide greater explanations -- In a few instances I felt like just nod your head and act like you understand.. Trend indetification is his strong point and use of trend lines.. 4 1/2 stars would be fair..

The knock down about the font was another unusual comment -- I think the font is ok and so are the diagrams (there better in the cd rom)..

Like many in my field, I've had the pleasure of reading many of Mr. Pring's works. They are all a must read. He is considered by many in our industry as the final authortiy in the field. His recent piece which includes a CD makes Technial Analysis understandable and even easier to assimilate. This is a must read for any one interested in the subject.

B.D., Technical Analysit

I am just getting started into the world of technical analysis and trading stocks. This book is really helping me to understand some of the things I have been observing in the market. The best thing about the CD is the quizes. The reader's voice can put you to sleep - especially if you read the chapters first - he covers the exact same text.

Pring does an excellent job of providing the beginner with all of the basics of technical analysis (TA). I have traded stocks for over 15 years and have been trading the spot Forex market. I learned quite a bit about TA several years ago, but thought I would like to continue my education in this area. My only problem with this particular book/CD is that the CD presentation could/should have been more polished. However, the information is all there if you take the time to look, listen, AND USE it!