Something the average person can read and use – a solid nuts and bolts approach is what I’m looking for.
Here’s a few names to check out in Amazon:
Achelis, Steven B. Technical Analysis from A to Z. Chicago, IL: Probus Publishing Company, 1995.
Written by the president and founder of Equis International. This book contains an introduction to technical analysis, plus a complete reference to over 100 indicators and studies.
Appel, Gerald and Hitschler, Fred. Stock Market Trading Systems. Homewood, IL: Dow Jones-Irwin, 1980.
Takes a thorough look at moving average trading systems, timing market cycles, the 12-day Rate-Of-Change, etc.
Appel, Gerald. The Moving Average Convergence-Divergence Method. Great Neck, NY: Signalert, 1979.
The MACD from its creator.
Arms, Richard W., Jr. Volume Cycles in the Stock Market. Salt Lake City, UT: Equis International, Inc., 1994.
Thoroughly explains the Equivolume charting method, volume cycles, and the ease of movement indicator.
Bookstaber, Richard. The Complete Investment Book. Glenview, Illinois: Scott, Foresman and Company, 1985.
Explains the Black/Scholes option calculations used in MetaStock.
Chande, Tushar S and Stanley Kroll. The New Technical Trader. New York: Wiley, 1994.
A book describing a new statistically- based breed of price-based, and risk control indicators.
Cohen, A.W. How To Use The Three-Point Reversal Method of Point & Figure Stock Market Trading. Larchmont, NU: Chartcraft, 1984.
A detailed book on point & figure chart interpretation.
Dobson, Edward D. Understanding Fibonacci Numbers. Greenville, SC: Traders Press, 1984.
A brief overview of Fibonacci numbers. Contains an extensive bibliography.
Edwards, Robert D. and Magee, John. Technical Analysis of Stock Trends. Sixth Edition. Boston, MA: John Magee, Inc., 1992. (Distributed by New York Institute of Finance.)
Explains trendlines and chart patterns.
Eng, William F. The Technical Analysis of Stocks, Options, & Futures. Chicago, IL: Probus Publishing,1988.
Granville, Joseph E. New Strategy of Daily Stock Market Timing for Maximum Profit. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1976.
A book from the inventor of On Balance Volume. Mr. Granville has earned a bearish reputation, but his technical tools remain valid.
Kaufman, Perry J. Commodity Trading Systems and Methods. New York: Wiley, 1978.
A serious book for the serious technician. While not required, a strong background in mathematics is helpful when reading this book.
Lebeau, Charles, and David Lucas. Technical Trader’s Guide to Computer Analysis of the Futures Market. Homewood, IL: Business One Irwin, 1991.
An excellent book that shows the historical performance of popular technical indicators and oscillators.
Leibovit, Mark A. Using the Volume Reversal Survey in Market Analysis (520-282-1275).
This pamphlet provides information on some of the pattern finding functions in the MetaStock formula language (i.e., Inside, Outside, Rally, and Reaction).
Merrill, Arthur A. Filtered Waves-Basic Theory. Chappaqua, NY: The Analysis Press, 1977.
This is an entire book about the Zig Zag indicator. It is available from:
Technical Trends
John R. McGinley, Jr.
P.O. Box 792
Wilton, CT 06897
Murphy, John J. Technical Analysis of the Futures Markets. New York, NY: New York Institute of Finance, 1986.
One of the best single sources of information on technical analysis. You don’t have to trade commodities for this book to be valuable.
Natenberg, Sheldon. Option Volatility and Pricing Strategies. Chicago, IL: Probus Publishing Company, 1988.
Explains the Black/Scholes option calculations used in MetaStock.
Nison, Steven. Japanese Candlestick Charting Techniques. New York, NY: New York Institute of Finance, 1991.
Explains how to use and interpret Candlestick charts.
Nison, Steven. Beyond Candlesticks. New York, NY: Wiley, 1994.
Explains how to use and interpret Kagi, Renko, and Three Line Break charts.
Raff, Gilbert. Trading the Regression Channel. Salt Lake City, UT. Equis International, 1996.
Explains how to trade the Regression Channel and objectively draw trendlines.
Pring, Martin J. Technical Analysis Explained. Third edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1991.
A complete, well-written book on technical analysis. Recommended.
Wilder, J. Welles. New Concepts in Technical Trading Systems. Greensboro, NC: Trend Research, 1978.
Explains the interpretation and calculation of about a dozen indicators including all of the Directional Movement indicators, the Relative Strength Index, and the Commodity Selection Index.
My favorite is John Murphy’s book: Technical Analysis of the Futures Markets.
Also consider a subscription to Technical Analysis of Stocks & Commodities. It’s pricy and may be too much for a novice, but you got to begin someplace…
I’ve been at it for over 30 years and there’s always something to learn. Contact me if you’d like. GOOD LUCK!