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An American Hedge Fund: How I Made $2 Million as a Stock Operator & Created a Hedge Fund
$2 trillion is invested in the hedge fund industry, and yet, due to industry regulations, the general public knows little about them. This book will change everything. Timothy turned $12,000 of Bar Mitzvah gift money into $1.65 million trading thousands of stocks from 1999-2002, managed the #1 Short Bias Hedge Fund from 2003-2006, starred in the television documentary Wall Street Warriors, and appeared regularly on CNBC all before the age of 26. It's been a wild ride. This Rocky'-like story is the first realistic look at the world of stock trading and hedge funds-it will educate and inspire everyone.
235 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
24 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 19, 2011
The book is a self-published work by the author, who is on a mission to help the American people understand the onerous restrictions put on hedge fund advertising and soliciting. The author failed in his attempt to create a successful hedge fund....he was refreshingly candid about his failures and poor investment decisions. If you ever want to really understand the nature of a hedge fund, this book will get you there. I like Tim Sykes passion but the descriptions of his trading details and history was long and, after a while, boring....it detracted from his main message. But I did finish the book. Would I recommend....not unless you were really interested in learning about the "real" nature of the hedge fund industry.
August 11, 2016
So interesting!
Actually I'm in the same road as this guy now..
It's just the capital that still not as big as his...
And I just manage my mother's money lol.
Actually I'm in the same road as this guy now..
It's just the capital that still not as big as his...
And I just manage my mother's money lol.
September 26, 2019
A sort of gonzo memoir of an amateur trader who supposedly turned his bar mitzvah money of 12k USD into 2M USD after 2 years of operations in his fund, and parlayed this into an opportunity to start a hedge fund all while he was in his mid-20s.
Sykes, who operated this fund in the late 90s to early 2000s broadly describes his strategy, which was to lurk on trading forums and read the business news and other trading related material, wait for good news on a micro-cap stock, and dump capital into that position to capture anticipated price actions from a short term positive momentum from the news.
From what I could tell much of his moves were done on rumors about these micro-caps, with a window of not more than a few hours for much of his positions. No apparent fundamental analysis, or much analysis of any kind, not really high frequency, so not much quant work, if he had a deeper system he doesn't reveal it in the book. Still, the book is at least entertaining, and he provides minute-by-minute commentary on critical price actions (or waiting for an anticipated one). He purchased these micro-caps at fairly large batches, seems like the several thousands, so definitely substantial capital, in the tens of thousands, and in some cases even higher.
Not sure if much of anything from his style is replicable, he doesn't really describe his setups. Don't get this book for instruction or to understanding trading or markets better. Think of it as another piece of information that informs your intuition on trading. Conditional recommend for those who have read more traditional basic texts already and have some experiences in at least basic retail trading and/or is familiar enough with financial/market news to appreciate (or be skeptical of) moves the author outlines in his text.
Sykes, who operated this fund in the late 90s to early 2000s broadly describes his strategy, which was to lurk on trading forums and read the business news and other trading related material, wait for good news on a micro-cap stock, and dump capital into that position to capture anticipated price actions from a short term positive momentum from the news.
From what I could tell much of his moves were done on rumors about these micro-caps, with a window of not more than a few hours for much of his positions. No apparent fundamental analysis, or much analysis of any kind, not really high frequency, so not much quant work, if he had a deeper system he doesn't reveal it in the book. Still, the book is at least entertaining, and he provides minute-by-minute commentary on critical price actions (or waiting for an anticipated one). He purchased these micro-caps at fairly large batches, seems like the several thousands, so definitely substantial capital, in the tens of thousands, and in some cases even higher.
Not sure if much of anything from his style is replicable, he doesn't really describe his setups. Don't get this book for instruction or to understanding trading or markets better. Think of it as another piece of information that informs your intuition on trading. Conditional recommend for those who have read more traditional basic texts already and have some experiences in at least basic retail trading and/or is familiar enough with financial/market news to appreciate (or be skeptical of) moves the author outlines in his text.
January 28, 2022
Narcissism.
October 11, 2021
Tim Sykes was one of the most infamous penny stock trader in the past two decades. Most people either liked him or disliked him. I consider myself to be in the latter camp. Some people find his courses, DVDs and teachings life changing however, to me, Sykes is just a great salesperson. With quite a bit of snake oil tactics involved of course. This book is read like a memoir where he detailed some of his early days trading his own accounts to his subsequent ventures into the hedge fund sphere.
That being said, some of the statements that Sykes has made in the book does show the ups and downs and the emotional struggles of his journal towards becoming a profitable trader. For instance:
"... I’d been completely correct in my thinking, but I hadn’t waited for the price action to confirm that thinking. I’d tried to cheat the pattern by getting in early, and instead, the market taught me a valuable lesson: you can’t cheat the market; you can only cheat yourself... I simply needed to stay disciplined and stick to my trading rules to wait for the variables to align before entering any position... if enough people are willing to buy into a potential pattern, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy."
You can tell that Sykes is a profitable trader by the following statement - "A trader’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions is the key to successful trading. Once I saw my profits fall, I adjusted to the new environment and took smaller positions."
" There’s a big difference between price action-based trading and ego-based trading. Price-action-based trading doesn’t ensure profits every time, but the odds are better because it’s at least based on research and reason. Ego-based trading rarely succeeds, and when it does, it’s the result of sheer luck because it’s not supported by rationality."
I'd say after reading this memoir/biography book of Sykes and his journey from being a trader to a "hot-shot Wall Street Warrior", I still hold the highest level of skepticism towards him and still viewed him as one of the industry's most prominent "guru". I refuse to read this book with an open mind and to his principles, his ideas because of how arrogant and boastful he is from his demeanour. For instance, his opening introductory lines about himself in almost all his videos does not scream humbleness, humility, down-to-earth, modesty to me. (Hey, Tim Sykes here, "millionaire mentor and day trader"). He has been trading for more than two decades. And if he is truly successful at trading and after so many years of experiences, he could have easily scaled up and retire a multi-millionaire and retired in some islands.
That's why read this book with a healthy level of skepticism about the things he said or achieved. Having said that, from this book he might have "opened" his inner thoughts about his journey and his principles as detailed in the final chapter on Lessons Learnt, but nobody truly knows how accurate are the accounts in the book. Also, as someone so "successful" but yet is still selling courses for a living, granted, he is a businessman and there is nothing wrong in teaching beginners, selling DVDs and coming up with dodgy "trading challenges" in this money-hungry industry called finance. Nonetheless, I still view him as a good salesman who has successfully became a household name in the trading business.
That being said, some of the statements that Sykes has made in the book does show the ups and downs and the emotional struggles of his journal towards becoming a profitable trader. For instance:
"... I’d been completely correct in my thinking, but I hadn’t waited for the price action to confirm that thinking. I’d tried to cheat the pattern by getting in early, and instead, the market taught me a valuable lesson: you can’t cheat the market; you can only cheat yourself... I simply needed to stay disciplined and stick to my trading rules to wait for the variables to align before entering any position... if enough people are willing to buy into a potential pattern, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy."
You can tell that Sykes is a profitable trader by the following statement - "A trader’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions is the key to successful trading. Once I saw my profits fall, I adjusted to the new environment and took smaller positions."
" There’s a big difference between price action-based trading and ego-based trading. Price-action-based trading doesn’t ensure profits every time, but the odds are better because it’s at least based on research and reason. Ego-based trading rarely succeeds, and when it does, it’s the result of sheer luck because it’s not supported by rationality."
I'd say after reading this memoir/biography book of Sykes and his journey from being a trader to a "hot-shot Wall Street Warrior", I still hold the highest level of skepticism towards him and still viewed him as one of the industry's most prominent "guru". I refuse to read this book with an open mind and to his principles, his ideas because of how arrogant and boastful he is from his demeanour. For instance, his opening introductory lines about himself in almost all his videos does not scream humbleness, humility, down-to-earth, modesty to me. (Hey, Tim Sykes here, "millionaire mentor and day trader"). He has been trading for more than two decades. And if he is truly successful at trading and after so many years of experiences, he could have easily scaled up and retire a multi-millionaire and retired in some islands.
That's why read this book with a healthy level of skepticism about the things he said or achieved. Having said that, from this book he might have "opened" his inner thoughts about his journey and his principles as detailed in the final chapter on Lessons Learnt, but nobody truly knows how accurate are the accounts in the book. Also, as someone so "successful" but yet is still selling courses for a living, granted, he is a businessman and there is nothing wrong in teaching beginners, selling DVDs and coming up with dodgy "trading challenges" in this money-hungry industry called finance. Nonetheless, I still view him as a good salesman who has successfully became a household name in the trading business.
September 12, 2018
First, let me say, I am a complete newbie to all things stock market and am just beginning my journey on expanding my knowledge. I've always had an interest in finance and have always felt I was sort of destined for something more. Thus, I came across Timothy Sykes and his million dollar challenge. I found his story intriguing which led me to this book.
An American Hedge Fund is basically Mr. Sykes autobiography beginning from when he first started dabbling in the stock market all the way through his attempt at managing his very own hedge fund. I found that at times this book inspired me to learn more....making me want to hastily open a brokerage account and get started. At other times, it scared the bejesus out of me as I realized the enormous amount of money he traded and the great potential risk for loss. And still at other times, with all of the financial lingo and terminology, it left me feeling overwhelmed and scared I would never be able to succeed as a trader on my own.
If you are looking for a book that gives you an insight into the hedge fund business, I think this book does an awesome job of giving you a peek. Before reading this book I had no idea what one was, much less all of the restrictions placed on them.
If you're looking for an in depth how to manual, this isn't it. While following along on his trading journey will open a newbie's eyes to some trading terminology and common trading strategies, it isn't going to give you any idea how or where to get started. My research continues!!
An American Hedge Fund is basically Mr. Sykes autobiography beginning from when he first started dabbling in the stock market all the way through his attempt at managing his very own hedge fund. I found that at times this book inspired me to learn more....making me want to hastily open a brokerage account and get started. At other times, it scared the bejesus out of me as I realized the enormous amount of money he traded and the great potential risk for loss. And still at other times, with all of the financial lingo and terminology, it left me feeling overwhelmed and scared I would never be able to succeed as a trader on my own.
If you are looking for a book that gives you an insight into the hedge fund business, I think this book does an awesome job of giving you a peek. Before reading this book I had no idea what one was, much less all of the restrictions placed on them.
If you're looking for an in depth how to manual, this isn't it. While following along on his trading journey will open a newbie's eyes to some trading terminology and common trading strategies, it isn't going to give you any idea how or where to get started. My research continues!!
December 24, 2025
I one day found Tim Sykes on some Google Search about penny stocks and hedge funds in the early 2010s. I’m not fully sure how that happened but it did. I followed him on social media, got his book at the end of 2013 then started reading it in the beginning of 2014, then just stopped.
After I stopped reading his book I kept it on my shelf and said I will get to this at some point. It’s only 235 pages and I can definitely find time to read it. Flash-forward to the fall of 2025, I say to myself: it’s now the time to read this book.
At the beginning it felt like what I read before 11 years ago. That was probably the first 30 pages or so. Then the juicy details of his hedge fund started. That was what I liked. He go as specific as one might think, which at times lost me, but other times it was exciting. I cant imagine how he would’ve done in the more advanced internet era since he’d be able to have a smart phone everywhere. The missing a lot of money in gains due to a restroom break kind of cracked me up for a trade. How he got into short selling instead of just buying and selling made it interesting. That would be a lot of risk to short stocks that weren’t heavily traded, as he mentions.
I think the book itself was very well written and adding to what his personal life was an added bonus. He speaks to a reality that is very much hidden because of financial regulations and his fund size being too small. Plus the ability for not being able to speak out which really frustrated him. Be careful of his one investment that truly does it for his fund. It feels very chronological making it easy to follow. He does an excellent job emphasizing the vocabulary words necessary to get what he’s saying. I liked this book a lot and would recommend it.
After I stopped reading his book I kept it on my shelf and said I will get to this at some point. It’s only 235 pages and I can definitely find time to read it. Flash-forward to the fall of 2025, I say to myself: it’s now the time to read this book.
At the beginning it felt like what I read before 11 years ago. That was probably the first 30 pages or so. Then the juicy details of his hedge fund started. That was what I liked. He go as specific as one might think, which at times lost me, but other times it was exciting. I cant imagine how he would’ve done in the more advanced internet era since he’d be able to have a smart phone everywhere. The missing a lot of money in gains due to a restroom break kind of cracked me up for a trade. How he got into short selling instead of just buying and selling made it interesting. That would be a lot of risk to short stocks that weren’t heavily traded, as he mentions.
I think the book itself was very well written and adding to what his personal life was an added bonus. He speaks to a reality that is very much hidden because of financial regulations and his fund size being too small. Plus the ability for not being able to speak out which really frustrated him. Be careful of his one investment that truly does it for his fund. It feels very chronological making it easy to follow. He does an excellent job emphasizing the vocabulary words necessary to get what he’s saying. I liked this book a lot and would recommend it.
January 9, 2024
I wasn't planning on writing a review for this, but a finance bro book is hardly the most embarrassing thing on my Goodreads, so whatever.
This was a candid, entertaining story about Sykes's journey, highlighting both his biggest wins and his worst failures. It outlined the biggest potentials and dangers of trading, as well as the psychological challenges of trading. However, I was annoyed there wasn't a lot of technical information or lessons on trading itself. It was more of a memoir than an informational book on how to trade. As a story, it was surprisingly eloquent and well written. I'm guessing he either hired a ghost writer or had someone heavily edit the book. But the last third of the book felt repetitive and drawn out. I didn't need the whole section detailing him deciding to write this book, or every single failed attempt to find funding for his hedge fund.
6.5/10
This was a candid, entertaining story about Sykes's journey, highlighting both his biggest wins and his worst failures. It outlined the biggest potentials and dangers of trading, as well as the psychological challenges of trading. However, I was annoyed there wasn't a lot of technical information or lessons on trading itself. It was more of a memoir than an informational book on how to trade. As a story, it was surprisingly eloquent and well written. I'm guessing he either hired a ghost writer or had someone heavily edit the book. But the last third of the book felt repetitive and drawn out. I didn't need the whole section detailing him deciding to write this book, or every single failed attempt to find funding for his hedge fund.
6.5/10
October 14, 2024
This book is really straight and honest. Too many people write success stories, or chronicle the beautiful road from millions to billions. This is a non-nonsense story about the dirty grit (mistakes and all!) about going from zero to that first million instead. So in a way, this book should be much more relevant than most business books, for most people.
Lots of details about many of the trades he took, how he did them, the reasons for doing so, and so on. Obviously this will just be tedious if you're not into trading, but for me this was both exciting and informative.
Positives:
+ Very open about talking even on sensitive subjects, such as regulated information and his own finances.
+ Good reflection on his own emotions and habits, what led to success and failure, etc.
Negatives:
- Not top-notch literary quality.
Lots of details about many of the trades he took, how he did them, the reasons for doing so, and so on. Obviously this will just be tedious if you're not into trading, but for me this was both exciting and informative.
Positives:
+ Very open about talking even on sensitive subjects, such as regulated information and his own finances.
+ Good reflection on his own emotions and habits, what led to success and failure, etc.
Negatives:
- Not top-notch literary quality.
May 22, 2024
A candid, enjoyable read about an amateur trader who managed to turn $12,000 of his Bar Mitzvah money into a little under $2,000,000 (including outside investment) after just two years.
Reading on, he then tried his luck at creating a hedge fund and was faced with the harsh reality of being a very small fish in the large American financial ocean.
An enjoyable read for anyone interested in someone’s penny stock trading journey however it is not informative enough to be a trading guide yet contains too much information for a smooth read, causing a bit of friction in the book. Nonetheless it is a good insight into the life of one of the 30% successful traders
Reading on, he then tried his luck at creating a hedge fund and was faced with the harsh reality of being a very small fish in the large American financial ocean.
An enjoyable read for anyone interested in someone’s penny stock trading journey however it is not informative enough to be a trading guide yet contains too much information for a smooth read, causing a bit of friction in the book. Nonetheless it is a good insight into the life of one of the 30% successful traders
May 12, 2017
So I found this book by sheer chance when looking for the worlds top bloggers! Tim's story and his style of narrative was pretty exciting.. I felt like I was right next to him when he was executing some of his trades, it was a complete edge of the seat high octane drama! Only it was all real. Recommended for aspiring traders who are disillusioned about how easy it is to make money. It's honest and totally worth your time.
July 13, 2017
This is a memoir type book on Tim Sykes rise in penny stock trading and later into an unsuccessful run at managing a hedge fund.
I agree with other reviewers Tim does write in an exciting way that makes you feel like you are in the room as this all is going down. However, the book feels rushed and guarded. As Tim makes his money now by teaching his techniques, this book talks little about his strategies and more on the emotional ups and downs of stock trading.
I agree with other reviewers Tim does write in an exciting way that makes you feel like you are in the room as this all is going down. However, the book feels rushed and guarded. As Tim makes his money now by teaching his techniques, this book talks little about his strategies and more on the emotional ups and downs of stock trading.
February 16, 2021
Timothy Sykes does a great job giving the reader a true insight into hedge funds and all of the regulations and restrictions associated with them. The book also gives many valuable lessons with investing that Timothy actually dealt with and went through in real life. The book was a very interesting and fun book to read all while being informational as well. It certainly was not another boring “how to invest” book like so many others out there.
September 9, 2021
I found about Tim online and watched interviews with him and seen lots of his videos and honestly I wasn't expecting this book to be spectacular, but I still bought it out of respect for the man and curiosity.
I have to say I was very surprised by how catchy the story is, I was not able to let the book down and I've finished it in just a few days, exciting and easy to read. Also it's very honestly written, no bullshit, both good and bad.
I have to say I was very surprised by how catchy the story is, I was not able to let the book down and I've finished it in just a few days, exciting and easy to read. Also it's very honestly written, no bullshit, both good and bad.
July 11, 2017
Read the online book and now listening to the Audible audio book to reinforce some of the good stuff on a learning curve for trading stocks. The book is from a few years ago and Sykes has frequent new vids also, some free at you tube and some with paid access to his Pennystocking Silver monthly subscription at profitly online.
July 27, 2018
This would be an inspiring read for anybody starting out as a day trader, however boasts the narcissism of Tim Sykes strongly. Tim has a very difficult time getting past his own narcissism in order to add true value to the reader.
Would still recommend to a new day trader but don't expect an information-packed book with much more than his specific story.
Would still recommend to a new day trader but don't expect an information-packed book with much more than his specific story.
June 4, 2020
This book was a waste of time. I just read it because I was amazed at how much bs the author was talking. So, my thoughts about this book, is that Timothy Sykes is a fraud, no one makes a hedge fund by making short positions in the spot market. He had some luck throwing the coin but that's not sustainable, especially when you are playing with the big boys.
Never read this book.
Never read this book.
March 4, 2021
Great book! Teaches the basics of the stock market and gives us a thrilling experience through the life of Tim Sykes. Many interesting concepts were learned in this book, for example, shorting, secrecy and lack of info thx to the SEC, and more.
May 4, 2017
Very easy read... is like if Tim was talking to you. Shows his story and a lot of learnings.
February 6, 2019
Interesting book. Good read. Some general investing mindset advice, but no real actionable strategies. Still enjoyed the book. Easy read.
June 30, 2019
A real, unfiltered view into the intricacies of the hedge fund business, stock market and Wall Street in general. A must read for beginning stock traders.
February 18, 2021
mehh... umm , I think is one of the best pennystockers in the world, I learned so much with Tim Sykes, but I didn't learn it with this book.
Robert Fire
www.robertfire.com
Robert Fire
www.robertfire.com
February 25, 2021
Such a good picture of what trading is really like and how much work it takes to be successful. Thank you! It gave me inspiration and hope as we learn to trade.
May 9, 2021
Enjoyable read with a few knowledgeable tips that actually made me a little money. A modern take on “reminiscence of a stock operator”
April 25, 2023
It was alright, learned more about his story than actual trading strategies though.
February 13, 2008
Steroids has nothing on these guys!
Place a bunch of villains in a cellblock and you may have a riot. Now place a bunch of villains with super powers, plus one mighty pissed off innocent hero in the pot and you get Terry L. Vinson’s “Desolation Island”.
The book begins with our main and lovable character Ben Thomason reminiscing with an old friend about the good ol’ days when ass kicking and chasing villains was an ‘honorable’ job to have. As the conversation progresses, you experience his views on how the system has changed…but more than that you find out Ben is hiding out, framed for a murder he didn’t commit.
Immediately within several pages, a reader is thrust into a super fight…and I mean super strength fight with an unsuspecting foe for Ben.
Defeated, enraged, and yet framed for another murder, he is now facing life at Desolation Island, the government’s top secret ‘Alcatrez’ for super villains. This enclosure meets every single possible counter measure to fight the gifts these prisoners possess…but does it?
Desolation Island was built on a secret plan to host a very mysterious entity, which only a few handpicked were privy to. Determined to unravel and discover the secret of this entity, a small squad of specialists enter this fortress. In a strange turn of events, Ben will be thrust for the fight of his life alongside some of his past friends and foes but more importantly, beside the gal he shunned not long ago.
Terry brings Desolation Island to life with his individual character profiles, and one can’t help but fall in love with Ben’s egotistical, macho and sarcastic personae. The whole book was a “Marvel’ delight to read and very easy to visualize as a movie. For those who love X-men, you’ll truly enjoy this Great Read.
Lea Schizas
http://leaschizaseditor.com
Place a bunch of villains in a cellblock and you may have a riot. Now place a bunch of villains with super powers, plus one mighty pissed off innocent hero in the pot and you get Terry L. Vinson’s “Desolation Island”.
The book begins with our main and lovable character Ben Thomason reminiscing with an old friend about the good ol’ days when ass kicking and chasing villains was an ‘honorable’ job to have. As the conversation progresses, you experience his views on how the system has changed…but more than that you find out Ben is hiding out, framed for a murder he didn’t commit.
Immediately within several pages, a reader is thrust into a super fight…and I mean super strength fight with an unsuspecting foe for Ben.
Defeated, enraged, and yet framed for another murder, he is now facing life at Desolation Island, the government’s top secret ‘Alcatrez’ for super villains. This enclosure meets every single possible counter measure to fight the gifts these prisoners possess…but does it?
Desolation Island was built on a secret plan to host a very mysterious entity, which only a few handpicked were privy to. Determined to unravel and discover the secret of this entity, a small squad of specialists enter this fortress. In a strange turn of events, Ben will be thrust for the fight of his life alongside some of his past friends and foes but more importantly, beside the gal he shunned not long ago.
Terry brings Desolation Island to life with his individual character profiles, and one can’t help but fall in love with Ben’s egotistical, macho and sarcastic personae. The whole book was a “Marvel’ delight to read and very easy to visualize as a movie. For those who love X-men, you’ll truly enjoy this Great Read.
Lea Schizas
http://leaschizaseditor.com
September 4, 2007
Admittedly, this is not my typical read. I read this in order to review it for work (I am a financial journalist).
That being said, it was a quick and interesting read. It is not so much a "how to" guide as it is a personal account of how one young investor caught lightning in a bottle during the best of the recent stock market times. Thankfully, it wasn't dry or overly technical, and the author is grounded and has a sense of humor.
My only gripe is that the story doesn't seem completely resolved at the conclusion of the book -- maybe the author should have let his story play out a little longer before writing the book. Then again, if my biggest complaint is that the book ended too soon, that isn't necessarily a bad thing, right?
That being said, it was a quick and interesting read. It is not so much a "how to" guide as it is a personal account of how one young investor caught lightning in a bottle during the best of the recent stock market times. Thankfully, it wasn't dry or overly technical, and the author is grounded and has a sense of humor.
My only gripe is that the story doesn't seem completely resolved at the conclusion of the book -- maybe the author should have let his story play out a little longer before writing the book. Then again, if my biggest complaint is that the book ended too soon, that isn't necessarily a bad thing, right?
January 28, 2011
Pretty good book about a twenty-something, Tim Sykes, who turned his $14,000 bar mitzvah money into $1.65M. A majority of the money was made during the tech-boom of 1999-2000, and the rest was made by short selling penny stocks after pump and dumps by industry insiders and boiler rooms. I was curious about the book for a long time as the author, Tim Sykes, has been someone I've read alot about and have been following for a couple years now. While I heard less than rave reviews about the book, my curiosity got the best of me and I gave it a chance. I thought it was better then people gave him credit for, but was a little dry. Definitely not a must read and probably not a good book for anyone other than those interested in stock trading and the inner workings of hedge funds.
November 1, 2007
I am on the last few pages. Tim does not really expose much about the hedge fund world as he claims is his intent (you can find this much out if you have access to Google and some patience). However, it is a nice expose` into starting a company from scratch and a(nother) chance for him to get some press. I whole-heartedly agree with his main theme of over-regulation of the industry is hurting the average, and being un-, American. His simple comparison of fund performance CYA statements and Baseball made me laugh out-loud. And it makes perfect sense; somewhat of a rare commodity at the SEC.
September 12, 2013
Quite enjoyable read, which gave an introduction to Tim Sykes and his trading career, and his (failed) attempt at starting up his own hedge-fund.
He managed to make a few million USD; but personally I think he took on way too much risk, and was lucky he didn't loose half of his assets halfway through.
Fortunately the rules regarding hedge-funds are not as strict in Europe (at least with regards to advertising) as they are in the US, so anyone considering that as a potential career move shouldn't be scared off to much with this book.
He managed to make a few million USD; but personally I think he took on way too much risk, and was lucky he didn't loose half of his assets halfway through.
Fortunately the rules regarding hedge-funds are not as strict in Europe (at least with regards to advertising) as they are in the US, so anyone considering that as a potential career move shouldn't be scared off to much with this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews