The Short Book on Options: A Conservative Strategy for the Buy and Hold Investor [Paperback]

Mark Wolfinger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 2002

The Short Book On Options is just that – a concise easy to understand primer that first teaches the basics of stock options and then offers a hands-on approach to using options in a conservative manner.Beginning with a description of what an option is and how an option works, The Short Book On Options takes the reader on a journey from learning the language of options to being prepared to trade. The book provides detailed answers to these important questions: What are the steps involved in trading options?Why would you want to sell a stock option?What do you have to gain?What do you have to lose?How do you choose which option to sell?The Short Book On Options is especially useful for long-term buy and hold investors, owners of a self-directed retirement plan, investment club members or anyone who wants to increase the performance and safety of his/her investment portfolio. The author teaches a conservative strategy focusing on profitability and safety.By the time you finish reading this book, you will be eager (and prepared) to make your first options trade.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A great introduction for those new to options, but with some innovative ideas with those already familiar with options. -- R.V. Green, Briefing.com

About the Author

Mark Wolfinger has been in the options business since 1977. He started as a market maker on the trading floor of the Chicago Board Options Exchange. He also worked for trading companies as an off-floor trader, trainer of newly hired traders, and risk manager. He now serves as an educator of public investors, showing them how they can intelligently and conservatively use stock options.Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1942, he currently resides in Evanston, Illinois with his life partner Penny and their two cats. He received a BS degree from Brooklyn College and a PhD from Northwestern University.His website is http://www.mdwoptions.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse; 1ST edition (June 27, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1403307768
• ISBN-13: 978-1403307767
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #329,772 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mark Wolfinger has been in the options business since 1977 when he became a market maker on the trading floor of the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE). He also worked for trading companies as a risk manager, off-floor trader and trainer of new traders.

For the past 7 years he has been an educator - teaching individual investors how to use stock options to enhance profits while reducing risk. He offers individual and group seminars.

Born in Brooklyn, New York (1942), he currently resides in Evanston, Illinois with his life partner Penny.

He received a BS degree from Brooklyn College and a PhD from Northwestern University.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear concise primer for understanding options, November 8, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Short Book on Options: A Conservative Strategy for the Buy and Hold Investor (Paperback)

I found this book to be just what I was looking for. After a complete introduction to the topic, Mr. Wolfinger helps the novice options investor clearly understand one conservative strategy. The author is very dedicated and thorough in explaining the concepts. He makes no assumptions that the reader has previous knowledge of what he teaches, yet he is never condescending. I also appreciate the easy to read font size. The text is large enough that I can read it without my glasses! Many thanks to the author for having the patience and know-how to start a beginner from "square one". I look forward to other books on the subject by this author.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Nice Surprise, October 8, 2007

By 

Sean Kenworthy "skenw" (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Short Book on Options: A Conservative Strategy for the Buy and Hold Investor (Paperback)

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but it was recommended to me by a friend so I ordered it. When I got it, my first thought was

"Wow. Short book is right." But don't let its length fool you. It is for people new to options and it's a very condensed volume of information that focuses on covered calls and touches on a few variations of them. It starts out with an overview of options and gives good easy to understand examples. It then moves into buying and selling options and finally focuses on covered call writing. It gives very good examples of various trades and the affects of yields and volatility.

You can use this book to get started on covered call writing with good confidence. I really liked this book a lot because it was very focused on teaching one very effective and conservative options strategy instead of trying to teach several confusing strategies all at once.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, September 15, 2003

By 

david (Irvington, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Short Book on Options: A Conservative Strategy for the Buy and Hold Investor (Paperback)

This book delivers, I did not know about options prior reading, the simple and yet comprehensive presentation allows to develop a good grasp of how to use options on a conservative and solid fashion.
What he advocates (protection and enhancement) of a portfolio is well presented and plan to use his advice.
More likely will now seek more information and knowledge with more elaborated books (not sure is really needed) but the basics are here.
thank you Wolfinger