A Complete Guide To Volume Price Analysis Paperback – September 21, 2013

I've read both of Anna's first two books (Forex For Beginners and A Complete Guide To Volume Price Analysis) back to back, and I'm going to be lazy and just post the same review for both, but I'll distinguish where I make comments specifically about one or the other.I'll start with a little background to put this review in context. I started getting interested in forex trading with an email touting some guy that had a "system." I signed up for his live webcam "learn how by watching me trade" membership, figuring I'd take advantage of the 3-month money back guarantee if I learned nothing. At 2 months I couldn't explain his system clearly to myself, and he was changing methods almost every day and frequently seeming to contradict things he'd said before. I kept at it for another couple weeks and then used the money back guarantee. I then started downloading and backtesting all kinds of indicators and EAs and browsing Amazon reviews looking for a better guide. Next I scanned a couple forex books and a couple on trading in general, and I used Technical Analysis of the Financial Markets: A Comprehensive Guide to Trading Methods and Applications (New York Institute of Finance) as an encyclopedia. I continued playing with my practice account for a couple months, but could find nothing that worked consistently enough to be comfortable committing real money, and I lost interest.A year or so later I ran across an article about Richard Dennis and the 'Turtle Traders'. I realized: a) people do make money doing these things, b) anyone can learn the methods, c) and there are experts out there who are willing to share their knowledge. I started looking for a good book again and almost immediately found Anna's books. Forex for Beginners was so cheap and the free sample indicated it would be an easy read. Halfway through, and also after reading comments about it on several forums, I was sold on VPA. I decided to re-open my FXCM practice account and try some of her recommendations, then read the next book (A Complete Guide to Volume Price Analysis) while waiting for my account to fund. She recommends not using a practice account for anything more than learning the interface, for several reasons: real money is more meaningful and lessons stick better, the practice account feed is usually not a real live feed even if they say it is, and the practice feed won't show you the sudden spikes in the spread caused by your broker sometimes taking advantage of a fast moving market. Forex for Beginners was very helpful in explaining how the different types of forex brokers' operations can work against your interests if you have the wrong type of broker, and how to find the right type so you're not betting against the house.Volume price analysis makes sense to me, and her (and others') assertions that the market is controlled by insiders whose moves can be seen by analyzing volume is the best explanation I've seen yet for why price action forms certain consistent patterns. My previous concept of technical analysis was that specific price patterns form when there are enough people who believe it will, simply a self-fulfilling prophecy, and I could never quite accept that as a reliable way to make money. Now I understand how volume affects candle formation, and how insider action is reflected in volume, and it's all logical. I can trade on that with confidence, which is the biggest thing I've gotten from these two books.My only complaint about both books is that she could use a more attentive editor, but there's nothing so bad it's really distracting. I read a review here recently where the reader said the grammar was so bad he/she couldn't finish the book (I can't remember if it was one of these two or another trading book). That's short-sighted arrogance in my opinion. The most eloquent speaker or the most concise and grammatically correct writer is not usually the best teacher. Also, if Anna had a talented editor go over this with a fine-toothed comb, yes it would be slightly easier to read, a little less repetitious, and probably a little shorter, but it would be more expensive too. If you want to learn how to work on your own Harley, the Haynes manual was written by a professional technical writer with a professional photographer looking over his shoulder at the work of a professional mechanic. Yet they (or their editors) still usually leave out all sorts of important details and perspectives that the grizzled old greasemonkey down at the shop is willing to give you if respect his experience and can dodge his tobacco juice and parse his colorful language. The Haynes manual is certainly cleaner and easier to read, but I'd prefer a conversation with the veteran any time.Another reviewer for one of these books said they couldn't make out the charts in the Kindle version so they bought a print copy and it was no better. I agree some of them are pretty hard to read on my Kindle (6" E-Ink display), but I had no problem with any of them on my iPhone screen or on Kindle Reader for PC.Tip: I found it very helpful to read on my Kindle with my iphone in my lap above it so I could glance at the chart and back to the text without scrolling back and forth constantly - something Amazon could definitely improve in the Kindle experience.I gave A Complete Guide to Volume Price Analysis 4 stars when I started writing this review, but I've decided to make it 5 stars. Part of the reason for this upgrade is that I'm not aware of another book on VPA (or VSA), and I'm grateful to Anna for writing one. Also, I haven't put her recommendations to use yet. My next step is to go through the VPA book again and condense the principles onto a set of flash cards. Then I'll start with the smallest possible lot size (like she recommends), keep a journal, and mark up my flash cards as I go along. I'll update this review when I feel like I've got some meaningful experience.

You can not go past this book! It opens your eyes up far more then any other trading course, web site, forum or other book will.Coming from learning only about PA previously, this book changed everything. It gives a great grounding and understand about PA and Volume. Explains well the concept of volume never being able to mislead, why and how ALL markets are moved around by the larger players.It then teaches you to start understand what volume is telling you and when PA is misleading you.Anna is straight to the point and NEVER complicates it for the reader. Principals are explained and reinforced all through the book but in different ways so that it really starts to hit home and click together for the reader while not becoming boring or repetitious.So many books on trading seem intent to speak above the reader or over complicate what is being conveyed. Anna has done an outstanding job to NOT do this and still make the book a enjoyable read that is not to heavy mentally to understand and still learn the concept of VPA.Have paid for courses with mentors, followed so called Guru's, bought countless other books about all aspects of trading and done 100's of hours research on the internet. I wish someone had made me read this book as the very 1st thing to study. Everything starts to click into place over time once these concepts are understood. I go back to the Mentors or Guru's material and it is now like you understand the missing concept that no-one every bothered to teach you but ties all the teachings together and you can start to see!This book gives you some more understanding and insight every time you re-read it!If you are finally ready to understand the markets, what moves them and how to start profiting from them then buy this book!

Probably the book I wish I had discovered early on in my technical trading journey. The book explains the basics of candlestick along with the influence of volume to provide clues on where the market may be headed next. The book is down to the earth and summarize very well the power of VPA.The book is an easy read but there is too much repetition. The author provides a bullish and bearish case for each situation but I find it overkill to go in the same lengthy details. Once you understand the bullish case then the bearish is just the opposite and the author should trim it down. I hope you like the word "whilst" because you will probably find 500 occurrences of that word in the 150 or so pages :) I was quite surprised when I got the book with its unusual format (for a book that is) of 8.5 x 11! I then thought this was great for displaying large charts to actually find out their size would fit in a much smaller standard book. Unfortunately the biggest drawback of this book are the charts. Not only they are small (compared to the book size) but they are almost impossible to read. You cannot distinguish a bullish to a bearish candle. The charts are grey on black. I can't believe the publisher printed it out as is.I would give a 3 stars for that because it is a crucial part of the book where everything is put together and the chart quality makes it hard to follow. However I am rating it 4 stars because technical trading should be kept to simple things and this is what this book is promoting. Volume + Price is everything. Everything else derives from it.

Very easy to read and digestible, I was recommended this book by my Mentor Brittany Martinez . I recommend kindle version so you can highlight yourself and see others highlights for things you may have missed.