Review: Truly ideal for newbies... and more
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 15, 2012
I bought this book because I keep hearing about Forex and I know that I have just enough (vague, fuzzy) knowledge to be dangerous in this area of speculation.By the time I finished this book, I'd learned a lot.  Oh, I'm sure I'm phrasing a few things in newbie-ish terms in this review, but that's okay. I've only read this book once. This is a book I'll re-read at least twice more, and get a better grasp of Forex, each time.  On the first reading, this book unraveled many concepts that had baffled me, before.For example, I've heard all kinds of words used, talking about currency and... well, my mind goes blank during those portions of the news, because I've had no idea was a "pip" was, much less the more complex words they use.  I figured it had something to do with percentages (it does), but that's where they lost me.This book explained "pips" and far more, in plain English.  The author neither underestimates nor overestimates the knowledge a newbie starts with.  It's probably not a book for most fifth-graders, but I never felt stupid (or as if the author thought I might be) as I read it.Don't let the cover of this book fool you.  Every page is filled with useful, competent, intelligent information, explained -- step-by-step -- so even a complete novice like me can understand it.  Each section of the book builds on information from earlier chapters.  Within the first 10 pages, I started feeling far more comfortable with Forex terms and concepts.I can see how this kind of trading could be tremendously profitable if a person knew what to look for and had the time to play this complex, fascinating, real-life game.  This book pulls no punches in that respect; you'll see exactly what's involved in analyzing the markets yourself, to be sure you (or your investment firm) are making the best choices, given the information available.For me, this was like stepping into a high-finance movie.  Reading it, I could feel the thrill of playing the Forex markets and waking up the next morning to a windfall.  I could also sense that pit-of-the-stomach drop when you realize, "Oops. Why didn't I take that into account when making this investment?"I can see how Forex trading could become a hobby, an addiction, or a high-stakes game more exhilarating than any roller coaster.I learned two really good things from this book:1. I now understand more words that I regularly hear on the news, during TV dramas, and in the movies.  That's a relief.  I hate not having a clue what people are talking about.2. I also know that, to be comfortable (and successful) playing this game, I'd need time and focus for it.  If and when I decide to get involved with Forex, I now have a far better understanding of what I know and -- more importantly -- what I don't know and would need to stay current with.For anyone who's even thought about Forex and didn't know where to start, I can't imagine any newbie Forex book being more helpful than this.  The author doesn't talk down to you, and he uses analogies that convey the concepts quickly and completely.And, I'm pretty sure that people who've dabbled in Forex will have some "ah-HA!" moments, because the essential concepts are so clearly explained (with great graphics) in this book.For me, this book was an excellent purchase and well worth reading.