The Technical Analysis Course: A Winning Program for Stock and Futures Traders and Investors

The book by Thomas Meyers was a great way to start someone out in the very difficult discipline of technical analysis. It is written in a simple laymans term that wets the appetite to learn more. The quizes at the end of each chapter reinforce the basic knowledge that you have read and each on builds on the other. This book is a primer that has guided me into learning more on the discipline. That is all it is. If you are expecting a complete book on the whole discipline you will be disappointed. We first have to crawl before we can walk and this is a great coach for that.

This should be your first book on Technical Analysis and a permanent reference in you library. After reading the other reviews, I only have one thing to say. This is a MUST read book if you want to trade based on Technical Analysis. Very concise, to the point explanations. No words are wasted. Very easy to read and will get you started in TA almost inmediately and with a solid base.

This book is obviously constructed as a brief introduction to a variety of components and theories of technical analysis of securities. Topics considered include basic principles and theory of technical analysis, basic chart construction, major reversal chart patterns, consolidation formations, gaps, trendlines and channels, support and resistance, moving averages and other topics. The material is in all cases succinct and to the point. At the end of the book is an extensive list of further reading materials, reinforcing that the text is beginning in nature and the author encourages further study. This text is an excellent way to start exploring the field of technical analysis of securities.

Before reading this book, I was clueless about technical analysis! Now, i've learned many different indicatorts I can use in picking my stocks! Perfect reference book, and great for getting started! I recommend this to anyone who wants to get into the technical side of stocks!

If this book doesn't provide the very clearest explanations of technical analysis that is out there, it certainly is a contender for the crown. Each chapter or lesson is followed by a quiz to ensure that you've picked up the key points. Technical analysis is used by momentum investors (traders if you prefer) to increase their chances of making successful trades. Although some investors on the net would tell you that chart reading is akin to tea-leaf reading, they'd be wrong. I'm conservative enough to combine value investing with my trading, but trading alone can be very profitable to one who takes the time to learn about charts.The book consists of nineteen lessons:Lesson 1 - Definition of technical analysis and its basic principles.Lesson 2 - Chart Construction -- the types of charts, charting services, personal computer software. Lessons 3-5: Profitable Chart PatternsLessons 6-10: Key Analystical ToolsLessons 11-13: Advanced Analysis. These are especially excellent chapters since they make the "advanced" topics very accessible.Lessons 14 and 15: Alternative Charting Methods. The lesson on Japanese Candlestick Charting is outstanding.Lessons 16 and 17: Overall market analysis.Lessons 18 and 19: Putting It All Together. An investment of thirty minutes a night for three weeks will repay the investor with more tools to bring to the table to improve his investing track record. For those who scorn (i.e., do not understand) charts, let me just offer this. Technical analysis does not, of course, double as a crystal ball. But, it can provide a significant edge.There can be no guarantees, but I believe that this book will pay you for its cost hundreds or thousands of times over. (It has certainly repaid me. But, you've got to read the book and you've got to pull the trigger on some trades.)Good luck. Better still, read the book and use its information for your benefit instead of relying on luck, hunch, and the free advice that is worth only its price.