Book Review: Trading to Win

Trading to Win, by Ari Kiev

Trading to Win has several useful concepts and suggestions but the conceptual framework of the book is an absolute mess.  I could barely follow it at times and I actually found myself getting frustrated with the utter lack of organization and flow of thoughts.  As such, I rate the book two out of five stars.

There are many nuggets of wisdom scattered throughout and for that reason, the book has some benefit although I would put it near the bottom of a reading list. I found myself highlighting and underlining often but I doubt I will reference it much in the future.  Again, interesting nuggets of wisdom but no organization.

Kiev writes the book with an equity trader in mind so most of his examples and case studies are not always suited for commodities, futures or options traders however the points he makes can be applied broadly. 

If there is a “keep it simple” method, then this book is the “over complicate and confuse” method.  Kiev frequently adds check-lists throughout the pages to help the reader quickly assess their trading style and behaviors, etc. but the lists are often redundant, long and bizarre. For example, “Thirty-One Basic Risk Management Ideas” on page 122 and then “Eighteen Risk Management Ideas from Advanced Traders” on page 162. Lists covering “The Ten Cardinal Rules”, “Ten Commitment Questions Every Trader Should Internalize”, “Eight Questions for Truthful Traders” and on and on.  Again, some of the advice is good but over time it just gets old. 

In short, Trading to Win has decent concepts but Kiev’s writing style is distracting.  If you are already well read in the space, perhaps you will find benefit in this book; otherwise I suggest reading others first.