Reminiscences of a Stock Operator

By Edwin Lefèvre and Edwin KLefevre

Book Overview

"Reminiscences of a Stock Operator" is a timeless classic of investment literature, offering a thinly veiled fictionalization of the life and career of Jesse Livermore, one of the greatest speculators in history. Written by Edwin Lefevre, the narrative follows the professional development of Lawrence Livingston as he transforms from a "boy plunger" in bucket shops to a dominant force on Wall Street. Through a series of triumphs and devastating losses, the work explores the intricate psychological aspects of trading and the enduring principles of market behavior.

The book is renowned for its insightful observations on human nature, greed, and the discipline required to succeed in volatile markets. It provides readers with a deep understanding of price action, trend following, and the importance of emotional control. Lefevre captures the essence of the early 20th-century financial world, presenting lessons that remain remarkably relevant to modern investors and traders today. Whether viewed as a cautionary tale or a masterclass in speculation, "Reminiscences of a Stock Operator" stands as a foundational text for anyone interested in the mechanics of the stock market and the mindset of a professional operator.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025448634
• ISBN13: 9781025448633
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 302 Pages
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

This is my "bible" of investing

I have a library of nearly 100 books about the markets. Reminiscences was the third book I ever read and it remains my "bible" more than a decade later. You might wonder how an 80-year old book about the stock market could still be relevant. Well, that is because financial markets are determined by human nature as much as anything else, and human nature acts today as it did a century ago. Greed, fear, herd thinking, impatience - those are the same influences that drive markets today and haunt traders and investors who are striving to make the right decisions. Many of the lessons that dictate my investment philosophy ("Cut your losses, let your winners run", "if you don't like the odds, don't bet") were taught to me by the protagonist, who is the fictional characterization of the legendary Jesse Livermore. That he tells his stories with such color and suspense makes the book completely entertaining beyond its invaluable trading lessons. BUY THIS BOOK FOR YOURSELF. BUY ANOTHER ONE FOR A FRIEND (I've given 4 copies). You'll not only improve your own investing results, but your gift will impress as well.

A FANTASTIC CLASIC

When almost all of the stocks of his time have been history, his wisdom remains of the same value. A must read.

An indispensable read before engaging in stock trading

Those who forget the past are bound to repeat it............. While Wall Street and markets around the western world continue their bull run, those who forget this adage will be in for a nasty shock. Written in 1923, this diary is full of warning of the shocks of 1929 and 1987 which followed. The gullibility of the public is clearly demonstrated, and the arrogance of each new generation feeding the bull cycle of it's day exposed. Now if I can only decide when to sell Microsoft short............. A cracking read.

One of the best trading books ever.

This book was actually written (with the help of a ghost writer) by Jesse Livermore himself and not Edwin Lefevre. Lefevre was simply a name that Livermore picked to have the real author - himself - remain anonymous. It took me years to master the trading tecniques outlined in this book - emotions and greed kept clouding my actions - the same way that they clouded Livermore's actions. An easy book to read but the lessons of the book come much harder.