Tricks of the Trade: An Insider's Guide to Using_a Stockbroker

This is a great book written with talent and skill smart. I recommend this book to anybody who is considering the stock trade. Cleverly written.

In the Preface of his book, Mark Dempsey states, "Out of fairness, however, I have withheld the name of the brokerage firm that I worked for." Elsewhere he mentions that his previous job was selling radio advertising time. A check of the NASD list of past and present brokers includes a "Mark Dempsey" who, between 1992 and 1995 worked for Merrill Lynch in Dallas, TX. Prior to that, between 1985 and 1992, this "Mr. Dempsey" held sales positions with five different radio stations or networks. Coincidence?

Pretty decent book on how stock brokers really operate. Shows how your interests are rarely (if ever) important to a broker. The book is a fairly quick read. Several examples of sales techniques followed by an analysis of each. At the end the author suggests that each of us is better off investing our money ourselves but does not give any additional information on how to do this other than the general comment of going to a bookstore and buying books on investing/personal finance. The author does a good job of not only criticizing the brokerage industry but also offers suggestions on how it can be approved. Overall I would say that it covers the topic well and opens the readers eyes.

This book offers a very good view of investing from the eyes of the stockbroker and explains why his or her eyes are not necessarily focused on your financial well-being. Chapter six was one of the most informative chapters. It reviewed the "tricks of the trade" stockbrokers use to close an investment deal.

This book made me really re-think my relationship with my full-service broker. Mr. Dempsey's behind- the-scenes look at Wall Street was filled with a number of important revelations! I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has a broker managing their money. Mr. Dempsey's HONESTY is refreshing and he has made a strong case as to why one needs to manage their own money. To know the tricks of the trade can be a real lifesaver.