The Disciplined Trader: Developing Winning Attitudes
by Mark Douglas

Aug 2000

Very good

This book only has a few things to say, but that's ok because they are very important things and need to be heard.

I believe there is depth of knowledge as well as breadth of knowledge. I was loosely familiar with most of the concepts presented in this book, but after I read it I came away with a much deeper understanding.

Psychological preparation for trading is, in a way, like martial arts training. Focus and discipline are in the training; during the actual act of trading the mind is often clear and blank. The key is to prepare so that when the time comes to act quickly (as happens often in futures trading), you can let your intuition and subconscious take over without fear of being led astray by false beliefs.

If you are comfortable with your trading psychology and have the discipline to follow your methodology without fail, you probably don't need this book. But if you still struggle with issues of discipline and / or mental blocks (as a majority of traders do), then the insights here may very well be worth the price.