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Technical Analysis of Stock Trends
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF STOCK TRENDS,11/ed by Robert D. Edwards and John Magee, 9780367023768
Paperback
First published January 1, 1948
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 9, 2016
Disclaimer: I'm an investment professional who's been using fundamental analysis to pick stocks since 2004. I was a skeptical when it came to technical analysis before reading this book, and I'll say right away that I keep being so after reading it as well.
"So why the heck did you pick it up?", you might ask. Let's say it was a personal exercise on open-mindedness. I've never actually stopped to do an in-depth reading on the subject and I think it was about time for me to do it. Robert Edwards' book seem to fit well for the job, as it's technical analysis targeted at long-term equity investing, which is as close to what I do everyday as the subject can be.
Guess what: despite the naive and non-sense criticism of fundamental analysis that the author lays out in the beginning of the book, I actually found some chapters enjoyable. It's a real marathon on technical analysis, very well written and full of examples to illustrate its principles. The chapter organization is very useful for later reference as well. I was still confused by some concepts, but I definitely got the gist of all of the core ideas. That doesn't mean I was not skeptical of most of them, though.
I still think that the identification of trends remain an extremely subjective discussion under a lot of circumstances, especially among folks who are not as experienced as the author. This might render the methodology less useful or very error-prone in a way that back tests are not able to catch. In other words, even after finishing the book you might have a lot of trouble to identify actual trends on current markets, given the unlimited possibilities and angles from which you can try to call them out.
In the end, I'm definitely not putting my personal or my clients' money under this approach, but in some ways I enjoyed the read. If you've already made your mind about using technical analysis to invest in the markets, then I would advise you to go for some of techniques in this book, as they might give you a way to start investing without imposing the potential damage to your assets that other technical methodologies that foster a lot more of short-term trading might do.
"So why the heck did you pick it up?", you might ask. Let's say it was a personal exercise on open-mindedness. I've never actually stopped to do an in-depth reading on the subject and I think it was about time for me to do it. Robert Edwards' book seem to fit well for the job, as it's technical analysis targeted at long-term equity investing, which is as close to what I do everyday as the subject can be.
Guess what: despite the naive and non-sense criticism of fundamental analysis that the author lays out in the beginning of the book, I actually found some chapters enjoyable. It's a real marathon on technical analysis, very well written and full of examples to illustrate its principles. The chapter organization is very useful for later reference as well. I was still confused by some concepts, but I definitely got the gist of all of the core ideas. That doesn't mean I was not skeptical of most of them, though.
I still think that the identification of trends remain an extremely subjective discussion under a lot of circumstances, especially among folks who are not as experienced as the author. This might render the methodology less useful or very error-prone in a way that back tests are not able to catch. In other words, even after finishing the book you might have a lot of trouble to identify actual trends on current markets, given the unlimited possibilities and angles from which you can try to call them out.
In the end, I'm definitely not putting my personal or my clients' money under this approach, but in some ways I enjoyed the read. If you've already made your mind about using technical analysis to invest in the markets, then I would advise you to go for some of techniques in this book, as they might give you a way to start investing without imposing the potential damage to your assets that other technical methodologies that foster a lot more of short-term trading might do.
August 10, 2013
If technical analysis works like proponents say it should, how come that everyone who reads a technical analysis book doesn't become the world's best, or at least, more than successful trader. I mean, the concepts are not that hard to learn, and understanding only takes a bit of time, espeically if you want to be a trader. However, technical analysts tend to pick and choose those charts that prove their theory and technique correct and ignore all of those other instances, and there are literally millions of them, that disprove what they say.
This book explains technical analysis ok, but technical analysis is more of a religion than an actual empirical science.
This book explains technical analysis ok, but technical analysis is more of a religion than an actual empirical science.
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February 3, 2016Don't bother with any other TA book--you would just be wasting your time. Pick up this one instead!
March 4, 2010
Ch. 3 (I believe) offers an excellent account of Dow Theory and Dow's view of waves. Dow theory is far richer than the simple notion of confirmation by Transports, and is quite elegant.
John Magee used to have tacked on his wall the famous quote: "Don't tell me what to buy...; tell me when to buy it."
This is an excellent, excellent book.
John Magee used to have tacked on his wall the famous quote: "Don't tell me what to buy...; tell me when to buy it."
This is an excellent, excellent book.
Read
October 25, 2009"This 1950s book is arguably #1 all-time classic & best book on chart patterns ever written. It is considered as 'The Bible of Technical Analysis' by many."
November 17, 2015
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May 16, 2018
Even though I am thorough with Technical analysis, I started this book just to gain insights into TA through wide examples in our history of trading. For the new reader who has no idea about trading and how it works this book is very thorough from start to end to giving the information one needs if they are new to markets. FYI Do not buy this buy if you think this book will give you some magical advantage in markets and you would stop taking losses. it will give you deep insights into reading and realising trends and when to enter and exit. If anyone thinks that TA can make you rich just by reading the book, YOU ARE WRONG. TA is also based on trial and error and it will take a lot of experience and time to master the art of TA. A great read on TA. Comprises of everything you need to know in stock markets. But I also suggest you read books on Fundamental analysis as that will teach you to read financial status of the company.
April 13, 2020
After reading a couple and few more pages, I could not get what the authors are saying exactly. There's just too much blabber that I stopped midway and grabbed a same book by Pring because of the good reviews. Glad I made the switch.
February 4, 2016
Delivered what if promised.
January 28, 2020
It doesn't cover Elliott wave and Fibonacci
March 30, 2022
Consultation guide -not my favorite.
September 8, 2014
Educational in every sense..good culmination of everything,
June 27, 2015
It's a classic
August 11, 2021
I recently read an article to read more valuable stuff and give up on weak books. Well, it was time for this book, which has been sitting and dusting for some time now.
I have read half of it with great effort and I don't have the energy to continue. The book is, in my opinion, over-written and has a lot of unnecessary text.
Examples are a weak part of this book. There are few of them – and when there are, they often don't relate to the text next to it. Sometimes they are too late or they are ahead and refer to the next chapter (it makes reading strange).
Some examples are descriptions (wall of text) of some situations from the market, where price levels are written. It would be enough to show it on the picture to understand it at a glance, but this way you can read it twice and it is hard to understand.
I have read half of it with great effort and I don't have the energy to continue. The book is, in my opinion, over-written and has a lot of unnecessary text.
Examples are a weak part of this book. There are few of them – and when there are, they often don't relate to the text next to it. Sometimes they are too late or they are ahead and refer to the next chapter (it makes reading strange).
Some examples are descriptions (wall of text) of some situations from the market, where price levels are written. It would be enough to show it on the picture to understand it at a glance, but this way you can read it twice and it is hard to understand.
November 21, 2018
It's language is so formal, therefore reading it was diffucult at start, but then people get used to its language.
Overall, it was one of the best book I have ever read about the Technical Analysis. It is not giving you some cliche ideas to memorise it. It is making you understand what that chart actually means, why the chart is morphing like that, what actuall outcome can be waited out of it, and what could be done on those outcomes..
I definitelly will read this book again after 2-3 months later. And even I might read 3rd time after 1-2 years later.
Overall, it was one of the best book I have ever read about the Technical Analysis. It is not giving you some cliche ideas to memorise it. It is making you understand what that chart actually means, why the chart is morphing like that, what actuall outcome can be waited out of it, and what could be done on those outcomes..
I definitelly will read this book again after 2-3 months later. And even I might read 3rd time after 1-2 years later.
November 29, 2021
Sheer nonsense. The authors bash fundamental analysis with all kinds of buzzwords as if they had the investment record to back their words.
Just going to state two facts here: there are several billionaires who use fundamental analysis for investment. There isn't a single billionaire who uses bars and lines on a chart to make his billions. The only people who make money from technical analysis are salesmen who peddle online courses and mentorships to "teach" the ignorant retail investor "how to trade".
How anyone could greenlight a dozen editions of this rubbish is beyond me.
Just going to state two facts here: there are several billionaires who use fundamental analysis for investment. There isn't a single billionaire who uses bars and lines on a chart to make his billions. The only people who make money from technical analysis are salesmen who peddle online courses and mentorships to "teach" the ignorant retail investor "how to trade".
How anyone could greenlight a dozen editions of this rubbish is beyond me.
December 18, 2018
A different angle to look at stock market. Assuming pricing are somewhat efficient, and profiting from early detection of price trend. Incorporate some of it in fundamental investing is useful. I would love to see more recent examples though, most examples are from 1930s or 1940s.
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December 30, 2023I is amazing book written and state of mind he provided in this masterpiece book I m also amazed to see that bow all the characters ork fluently just love this book : i m loving this book
July 24, 2025
okay intro
Not bad, but underwhelming. Covers basic concepts like support/resistance and trendlines—great for beginners, but nothing actionable or advanced. Feels like cheat-sheet content. Writing is fine, just expected far more depth for my use case.
Not bad, but underwhelming. Covers basic concepts like support/resistance and trendlines—great for beginners, but nothing actionable or advanced. Feels like cheat-sheet content. Writing is fine, just expected far more depth for my use case.
February 4, 2019
The Bible for TA
September 18, 2020
Too much repetition, and parts of it are outdated.
December 24, 2024
Never read it but I loved it because of someone that have read it
May 13, 2025
Must Read if you want to understand what a Stock Trend is.
May 13, 2025
the 4th and 5th edition have the best weird vibes
June 4, 2021
Finally I finished the book. This book is not for beginner... If you will read this book without prior knowledge about share market and their terms you will not understand anything but I enjoyed it there are so many pattern with pictures .... actually picture of stock and their pattern will help you more but the example in this book is very old...you can say this is a Bible for technical analysis. After reading this book I am very confident in taking entry in any stock . This book improved my trading.
November 29, 2021
Sheer nonsense. The authors bash fundamental analysis with all kinds of buzzwords as if they had the investment record to back their words.
Just going to state two facts here: there are several billionaires who use fundamental analysis for investment. There isn't a single billionaire who uses bars and lines on a chart to make his billions. The only people who make money from technical analysis are salesmen who peddle online courses and mentorships to "teach" the ignorant retail investor "how to trade".
How anyone could greenlight a dozen editions of this rubbish is beyond me.
Just going to state two facts here: there are several billionaires who use fundamental analysis for investment. There isn't a single billionaire who uses bars and lines on a chart to make his billions. The only people who make money from technical analysis are salesmen who peddle online courses and mentorships to "teach" the ignorant retail investor "how to trade".
How anyone could greenlight a dozen editions of this rubbish is beyond me.
March 27, 2008
The bible of technical analysis. If you're interested in this subject start here. It's pretty long but full of valuable info.
November 9, 2011
Not is not just a so called bible.It is more than a bible for a trader and must have for every trader.
January 5, 2019
I read it awhile ago and still rely on it although covers stocks that no longer exist.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews