In the modern world, why do we still resort to speculation? Advances in scientific and statistical reasoning are supposed to have provided greater certainty in making claims about the future. Yet we constantly spin out scenarios about tomorrow, for ourselves or for entire societies, with flimsy or no evidence. Insubstantial speculations—from utopian thinking to high-risk stock gambles—often provoke fierce backlash, even when they prove prophetic for the world we come to inhabit. Why does this hypothetical way of thinking generate such controversy? In this cultural, literary, and intellectual history, Gayle Rogers traces debates over speculation from antiquity to the present. Celebrated by Boethius as the height of humanity’s mental powers but denigrated as sinful by John Calvin, speculation eventually became central to the scientific revolution’s new methods of seeing the natural world. In the nineteenth century, writers such as Jane Austen used the concept to diagnose the marriage market, redefining speculation for the purpose of social critique. Speculation fueled the development of modern capitalism, spurring booms, busts, and bubbles, and recently artificial intelligence has automated the speculation previously done by humans, with uncertain and troubling consequences. Unraveling these histories and many other disputes, Rogers argues that what has always been at stake in arguments over speculation, and why it so often appears so threatening, is the authority to produce and control knowledge about the future. Recasting centuries of contests over the power to anticipate tomorrow, this book reveals the crucial role speculation has played in how we create—and potentially destroy—the future.

Question everything – and become a better investor in the process Uncommon Sense takes readers on a four-century journey; from the dawn of public share ownership (in 1602) right up to today. But this is not simply a history book. It's a book for serious investors. Along the way it reveals the fascinating stories, the market characters and the important financial developments that have sculpted the thinking behind the value investor's craft. Blended throughout the narrative Kemp delivers an array of interesting anecdotes and rock solid logic regarding what works when investing in the stock market, what doesn't, and why. Early in the 20th Century, Charles Dow remarked of Wall Street Operators that 'the more they actually know, the less confident they become.' Continuing in the tradition of that simple, elegant statement, this enlightening and entertaining book will have you thinking, acting and succeeding on your own in your investment endeavours. Learn to question conventional wisdom at every turn and develop a healthy skepticism as you plan your own investment strategies Develop a rich understanding of the stock valuation process Discover the methods that have been used by successful investors from the dawn of the modern stock market (in 1602) right up to today Learn how to interact simply and successfully with markets that are vastly complex and largely inexplicable Uncommon Sense will have you questioning and doubting much that's stated about stock market investing, then developing your own winning strategy based on reason and understanding.

A classic collection of titles featuring one of the world's greatest traders: Jesse Livermore Jesse Livermore won and lost tens of millions of dollars playing the stock and commodities markets during the early 1900s, at one point making ten million dollars in one month of trading—an astronomical sum for this time. His ideas and keen analyses of market price movements are as true today as they were when he first implemented them. Now, for the first time ever, The Reminiscences of a Stock Operator Collection brings together three classic titles based on this unique individual and offers profound insights into his motivations, attitudes, and strategies. Reminiscences of a Stock Operator, the fictionalized biography of Jesse Livermore, has endured over seventy years because traders and investors continue to find lessons from Livermore's experiences that they can apply to their own endeavors Reminiscences of a Stock Operator, Illustrated Edition reproduces the original articles by Edwin Lefèvre and drawings by M.L. Blumenthal published in the Saturday Evening Post in the 1920s Reminiscences of a Stock Operator, Annotated Edition bridges the gap between Edwin Lefevre's fictionalized account of Livermore's life and the actual, historical events, places, and people that populate the book. Throughout the book there are notes that detail the actual companies, people, or situations that Livermore encountered Engaging and informative, this collection provides a complete picture of Livermore's life and trading strategies, and offers tremendous value to today's serious investor or trader.

First published in 1902, this book provides a no-nonsense guide to investing in the stock market, with a particular emphasis on avoiding common pitfalls and scams. It also includes a directory of businesses and attractions in and around New York City, making it a useful resource for visitors to the area. 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 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. 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.

With new commentary and Insights on the life and times of Jesse Livermore Reminiscences of a Stock Operator is the fictionalized biography of perhaps the most famous financial speculator of all time-Jesse Livermore. This annotated edition bridges the gap between Edwin Lefevre's fictionalized account of Livermore's life and the actual, historical events, places, and people that populate the book. It also describes the variety of trading approaches Livermore used throughout his life and analyzes his psychological development as a trader and the lessons gained through hard experiences. Analyzes legendary trader Jesse Livermore's strategies and explains how they can be used in today's markets Provides factual details regarding the actual companies Livermore traded in and the people who helped/hindered him along the way Explains the structure and mechanics of the Livermore-era markets, including the bucket shops and the commodity exchanges Includes more than 100 pages of new material Reminiscences of a Stock Operator has endured over 70 years because traders and investors continue to find lessons from Livermore's experiences that they can apply to their own trading. This annotated edition will continue the trend.