The great bull market in stocks has led to an equally great bull market in the number of books
published on the subject of how to make money trading the markets. Many ideas abound, some good,
some not, some original, some just a repackaging of earlier works. Occasionally, though, a writer
comes forward with something that really sets him or her apart from the pack, something special. One
such writer is Mark Douglas. Mark Douglas, in Trading in the Zone, has written a book that is the
accumulation of years of thought and research—the work of a lifetime—and for those of us who view
trading as a profession, he has produced a gem.
Trading in the Zone is an in-depth look at the challenges that we face when we take up the challenge of
trading. To the novice, the only challenge appears to be to find a way to make money. Once the novice
learns that tips, brokers’ advice, and other ways to justify buying or selling do not work consistently, he
discovers that he either needs to develop a reliable trading strategy or purchase one. After that, trading
should be easy, right? All you have to do is follow the rules, and the money will fall into your lap.
At this point, if not before, novices discover that trading can turn into one of the most frustrating
experiences they will ever face.