Trader Construction Kit

I think the Trader Construction Kit is many things. And that fact that it is so good at being so many things is incredibly impressive. First and foremost, the book is a textbook study on the Trading industry. It serves this purpose very well -- it is detailed, lengthy and thorough, hitting on all the fundamentals, but 'softer' concepts as well, having to do with working in teams etc. 5 stars just for this.But it's also a novel. I obviously don't mean it's fiction, but I mean it's a joy to read; it's entertaining... it is actually prose. Accustomed to incredibly dry and matter-of-fact economics and finance text books (looking at you Pindyck and Rubenfeld), this book, while it does proceed through a scholarly course, does so in a very approachable and enjoyable manner. 5 stars for a course text that is interesting to read.As the author says in the intro, it's been used for people just starting or early in their careers looking to get into trading. But it also serves as a fantastic reference for later-career traders, or professionals only very tangentially associated with trading functions. So even if you don't read it cover to cover, it's a great reference text to refresh yourself on certain elements or strategies.It's a great addition to any finance professional's library.

Fantastic resource. I've read a lot of books that give some insight into the realities of a trading career, but this is easily the most thorough and accurate insight into trading that I've seen. Very good info on specifics of trading strategies and invaluable lessons from the experiences gained in the life of a trader. The book is well-written, and the author does a good job engaging the reader, rather than reading like a textbook. I would strongly recommend this to anyone in a trading role or considering a career in trading.

I have worked in financial services firms most of my adult life -- that's 30+ years. This book is the biggest disappointment ever! Full of "fluff" as the author doesn't really go into anything in depth. Most notable, there are no real world examples. How can you use a fictitious Prod X made up by the author that cannot possibly illustrate what the real effects of news, interest rates, all sorts of market indicators and all the other factors we know about on the volatility and price movements of the instruments traded, and consequently, on the real world results of what happened in the past and what can potentially happen in the future? This book is nothing more than a fancy, expensive version of a carrot-on-a-stick to entice unsuspecting students and people who are not familiar with trading. The sad part is that people might read this book and think they now know what they are doing, with most undesirable and possible even financially fatal results. The author could not have marketed this book to pros -- not by a long shot! And to think this book is being sold at $95+. I returned the book, and if Amazon would have allowed me to give this book a zero - (0) star rating, I would have.

Great, useful, more on commodities trading aspect in my opinion

After working on a trade floor for the better part of a decade, this is a book I wish I had at the beginning of my career. Rubano does a great job of going through a lot of necessary tools and strategies that senior traders are either too busy or unwilling to share. A must read for anyone interested in a career in trading.

I have been a trader now for ten years and had the privilege of working with the author for several years at the beginning of my career. The book explains the essence of trading and makes the reader think about oneself. If you know someone who is looking at a potential career in finance and trading, I strongly recommend the book.

I am not a professional trader (or anything close to it), but I found this book extremely engaging. It approaches the complicated and highly technical field of markets and trading with the perspective of someone who has lived and breathed the subject for many years, and distills the key points in a very clear and approachable style.It is also surprisingly funny.I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in what it means to be a trader.

TCK should be required reading for anyone who works on, or wants to work on, a trade floor. Rubano gives an easy to understand, enjoyable (for a textbook), and almost exhaustive overview of the components that drive a trading business. It's definitely a resource I wish I had when I started in the business and still valuable years later.