My Life as a Quant: Reflections on Physics and Finance
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Review
"There are few "gentlemen bankers" left these days. Nor is there much room in the great financial houses for anything that smacks of the amateur spirit. That is why Emanuel Derman′s memoirs are so compelling…Derman′s wry humour and sense of irony are apparent throughout the book."– Financial Times
"That sense of being an intruder in outlaw territory lends an intriguing mood to Derman′s My Life As a Quant, a literate and entertaining memoir."–Business Week
"engaging"––(CFO Europe, October 2005)
"Not only a delightful memoir, but one full of information, both about people and their enterprise. I never thought that I would be interested in quantitative financial analysis, but reading this book has been a fascinating education."–Jeremy Bernstein, author of Oppenheimer: Portrait of an Enigma
"This wonderful autobiography takes place in that special time when scientists discovered Wall Street and Wall Street discovered them. It is elegantly written by a gifted observer who was a pioneering member of the new profession of financial engineering, with an evident affection both for finance as a science and for the scientists who practice it. Derman’s portrait of how the academics brought their new financial science to the world of business and forever changed it and, especially, his descriptions of the late and extraordinary genius Fischer Black who became his mentor, reveal a surprising humanity where it might be least expected. Who should read this book? Anyone with a serious interest in finance and everyone who simply wants to enjoy a good read."–Stephen Ross, Franco Modigliani Professor of Finance and Economics, Sloan School, MIT
Financial Times, November 18, 2004
"compelling"
--This text refers to the
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This excellent autobiography covers the emotional life of a thoughtful man. Emanuel Derman examines his conscience dispassionately and honestly, offering a sometimes poignant account of his descent from the world of pure science to the hustle of Wall Street. His memoir flows like a conversation, albeit with many tangents. You'll learn more than you want about personnel changes at his former firms, but you'll also gain rare insights into how Wall Street makes decisions, plus a few excellent points about the inadequacy of financial theory as science. Derman's descriptions of options theory and financial models sometimes approach clarity, but may be far beyond the lay reader's understanding. We recommend this book to avid students of Wall Street and to any academic contemplating a move there. General readers who would enjoy Derman's reminiscences, and who do not mind tackling some dense scientific and financial material, will find an in-depth life story with moving reflections on the disparity between youthful ideals and mature compromises.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I was attracted to buy this after hearing Derman speak at the Institute of Physics in London.
HAving followed a similar route to Derman (Physics into Quant) I found it particularly rewarding as he touched on many of the issues I had found.
Perhaps because of this or perhaps because of the style, reading his autobiog was like having a chat with a friend over a coffee. It was informal, honest and engaging.
I would recommend to anyone physicist turned quant or anyone thinking of the move to read it. It is interesting to contrast with the biog of Fisher Black.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I began a career as a Quant a decade or so ago, but skipped careers and am now doing a PhD in computer music. But reading this book brought it all back to me! I suddenly felt the urge to write papers on finance... Emanuel Derman just has such a great writing style. His discussion of Physics (another interest of mine) and Quants was a pleasure to read. This book was like a long cool drink on a hot day. What also makes it pleasurable is the personal elements he injects into the story - you see what things mean to him, you see the non-linearity and uncertainty in his life.
I would class this as more reflections on Finance, with interesting observations about Physics. But overall I would just class it as a great read.
I would class this as more reflections on Finance, with interesting observations about Physics. But overall I would just class it as a great read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An enjoyable amble through physics and finance
Emanuel Derman's memoirs are a gentle amble through a career that took in physics and then taking mathematical analysis to Wall Street at a time when advanced maths was still a... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mark Pack
Should have been pulped!
I bought the book to get a better understanding about the transition from a quantitative background in academia to finance, infact what I found was a poorly written book which was... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Dr
A great read
This book is a very enjoyable read. Emanuel's biography is interesting and is written in a compelling intimidate way. Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2010 by Jose Santos
Good story but
I like it but I found (personally) the print quality of this edition to be rather poor: dark gray ink on light gray (recycled ? Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2009 by Anonymous
Dull, boring and uneventful
If you are thinking of writing an autobiography, the first thing you should do is sit down and ask yourself a few questions, such as:
"Why do I think people would be... Read more
"Why do I think people would be... Read more
Published on 24 July 2008 by Karlos
VEry good read but....
I really enjoyed this book and thought highly of the author.
Note, this book will appeal mostly to people with "geek" tendencies
If you like physics (or... Read more
Note, this book will appeal mostly to people with "geek" tendencies
If you like physics (or... Read more
Published on 23 July 2008 by Jayroc2k
For Hardcore Only
If your interests have ever included Physics and Finance, and if you've ever thought there was something "deeper, more meaningful" to be found in studying physics, then read this... Read more
Published on 31 Dec 2007 by Andy
A Great Read
This book would be of great interest to financial engineers. Emanuel Derman, an expert quant trained as a theoretical physicist, compares and contrasts the disparate worlds of... Read more
Published on 27 Feb 2007 by Mr. P. Bilokon
Interest
I really enjoyed this book. It openly and honestly explains life in various academic and financial institutions. Read more
Published on 7 Mar 2006 by Matt Vanstone
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