Generalized Optimal Stopping Problems and Financial Markets Book

Before picking this up, I had read The Commitments of Traders Bible by Stephen Briese and Trade Stocks and Commodities with the Insiders: Secrets of the COT Report by Larry Williams, in addition to using the COT data for my own trading, so I already had a framework to understand anything Upperman would have to say. I could have just let it be with those two works, but we are talking about money, right? So, I cracked open this book to see what Mr. Upperman could add to my knowledge of the topic. Let me tell you, this work is a complete and utter disappointment. The word "proprietary" occurs several dozen times in this book and its use in such a repeated fashion is actually a not-so-covert advertisement for his website service, should you desire to reap the benefits of his proprietary "innovations." Upperman seems to want to impress you with how learned and studied his approach is to the topic, without ever cluing you into how you should analyze the data for yourself. In short, the book is one long sales pitch to a potential customer rather than a work aimed at giving you the analytical tools to come to an understanding of the COT data and how you can use it in your own trading. Apart from focusing on his engineering and mathematical brilliance, the book consists mainly of banal observations about technical analysis mixed with rudimentary points concerning how he interprets the COT report. I am hard-pressed to say that I learned anything, given my previous acquaintance with the other works on the subject. If anyone truly wants to understand and use the COT report for their own trading, go to the work by Larry Williams. It is far and away the superior exposition, and will actually teach you something that can help you make money. If you desire further information after reading the Williams book, I would recommend the book by Briese. It is also definitely worthwhile. Skip this one as an overpriced waste of time.