The Trading Game: A Confession

An engaging and thought provoking read. Gary takes the reader straight into his head with his unique east London prose (he really talks like that. You tube him). You are on his side from the beginning, willing him to do well at uni, cheering for him as he wins the trading game and hoping for him to make the most of his chance at Citibank. His journey there is thrilling, action packed and good fun. I also enjoyed learning about the markets, Gary makes it very digestible for his readers, and that's important I think, to fully grasp what he was doing there. However, the story takes a dark turn by Tokyo. I found these chapters of the book quite hard to read because Gary's pain and loneliness just seeps through the pages. You feel for him and how sad it all had to end the way it did. But as they say, it's through the cracks one sees the light. Thankfully, the story ends on a lighter note.Does the story miss anything? Perhaps a touch more self reflection wouldn't go amiss.... Overall however, I think this book was masterfully written and a wonderful read.

I don’t read books but for the first time in my life, I bought ‘the trading game’ after over a year of watching this guy on YouTube. I was that excited about this book coming out that I pre-ordered it, something of which I never do! I find Gary fascinating and his mission is simple, to end wealth inequality! I will continue to support him in whichever capacity I can, I tell anyone I talk to about him and his mission, and yes, even my mum, Gary 😂The book itself is extremely detailed with the inner workings of trading and describes the culture of 90% of people involved in it. I found a lot of details around the game and intricacies with trading easy-ish to digest, but I follow the economy and politics anally! I guess the average person not so interested in these subjects may feel a little out of their depth, although Gary does do a decent job of simplifying. It was an absolute pleasure to read and was worth the wait of more than six months with your lack of YouTube videos! Well done!

The story itself is gripping, in the way that watching a car crash is gripping. The writing itself is pretty poor... I'm sure Gary would agree he's no novelist. It's a bit like Dick Francis, but for finance. Having worked in the industry (albeit on the sidelines) I found the content fascinating, interesting, and easy to read. Mildly annoyed to have missed the obviously easy investment opportunity... But happy not to have been sued by my employer!

Loved it from the beginning to end. Also educational which is a bonus!

Gary Stevenson’s “The Trading Game” presents a riveting exploration of the world of high finance, delving into its intricacies with the precision of a seasoned trader turned critical observer. Stevenson crafts a narrative that is both a compelling account of life in an almost parallel universe—where the stakes are high, and the rewards are staggering—and a consequential critique of the systemic forces driving inequality to perilous heights.The book excels in its vivid portrayal of the trading floor’s adrenaline-fueled, and somewhat weird, environment, where decisions worth millions are made in the blink of an eye. Stevenson’s firsthand experiences bring authenticity and depth to the narrative, making the high-pressure world of finance accessible to readers unfamiliar with its nuances and perverse incentives. However, it’s not merely an insider’s account of financial trading; Stevenson uses his story as a backdrop to dissect the cold, often ruthless logic of market forces and their role in exacerbating economic disparities.“The Trading Game” is consequential in its analysis of how systemic financial practices contribute to widening the gap between the rich and the poor. Stevenson doesn’t just describe the mechanisms of trading but critically examines the implications of unchecked capitalism and the commodification of everything, including basic human needs. His critique is grounded in a sophisticated understanding of economic principles, enriched by data and social context, making a compelling case for the urgent need to address the growing chasm of inequality.Moreover, Stevenson’s narrative is interwoven with reflections on moral and ethical considerations, questioning the sustainability of a system that rewards exploitation and short-term gains at the expense of long-term societal well-being.In conclusion, “The Trading Game” is a masterful blend of personal memoir, economic analysis, and social critique. It stands out not only for its insightful exploration of the financial world but also for its urgent call to action against the forces driving us toward disastrous levels of inequality. Stevenson provides a unique perspective that is both enlightening and deeply troubling, urging a reevaluation of the values and practices that underpin our economic systems. Through his compelling narrative and comvincing analysis, Stevenson makes a significant contribution to the ongoing discourse on economic inequality, offering both a warning and a foundation for hope.

Interesting read particularly if you are keen to learn some of the emotions and thoughts on trading in the city. The traders are smart individuals in some respects but are welcome to their life which is necessary for UK plc . Good read

I read this book because I follow Gary's Economics youtube channel. The book would certainly interest anyone wanting a career as a trader or people in finance generally. Some readers have criticized the book for being too technical but it's about far more than trading. Gary is funny because he seems to be able to see himself from the outside and because his short career in trading leads him to psychological growth. The book has a very serious message (that inequality is devastating people's lives) but Gary's grim predictions are offset by his humor to make this a gripping read. I'll be gifting this book to a couple of friends of mine and can highly recommend it.

This book taught me more about the economic environment than all my previous education combined. It was also exciting to read. I couldn't put this book down. Gary is a genius and has given a gift to humanity by sharing his practical insights.

This is really nice story and Garry is a great storyteller. I felt his pain throughout the book in nonsense of the job he was doing, but nevertheless he wanted to get paid and win, I guess. I don't share his idea about inequality though, think it just more complicated than rich and poor. Back in a days poor people didn't have what to eat, what he is mentioning about his mates in a book, but what defined todays inequality? Good luck to Gary in this field, I hope he will find more meaning in this field rather than in trading.

Muito bem escrito, pode ser lido inclusive por quem nao tem experiência no mercado financeiro. O mais importante aqui sao os personagens e as relações entre eles

Interesting read but too long and descriptive.

Amazing book. Very entertaining to read, I basically skimmed through it in a couple of days. It’s written with a typical British style with great humour and phrases. Gary also gives insights to the details of a trading floor at a major corporation.There are some quite basic lessons and principles about macroeconomics which most people would think is irrelevant for themselves, but it’s more relevant for everyone than anything else.Gary’s bet on the never recovering world economy and widening gap between rich and poor withstood the test of time and is one of the biggest problems every country faces in the world.Fully recommend to anyone who is a little bit interested in economics, finance or just want an entertaining read