📖 Overview
Sheldon Natenberg is a prominent figure in options trading education and has spent over three decades in the derivatives industry. His book "Option Volatility & Pricing: Advanced Trading Strategies and Techniques" is considered a foundational text for options traders and is used extensively in trading rooms and educational programs.
During his career, Natenberg served as the director of education for the Chicago Trading Company and has trained numerous professional options traders. He was also a member of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, where he traded equity options as an independent market maker.
Natenberg's work focuses on explaining complex options concepts, particularly volatility trading and risk management, in clear and practical terms. His teachings emphasize the mathematical and theoretical foundations of options trading while maintaining accessibility for traders at various experience levels.
Beyond his written work, Natenberg has conducted seminars and training programs for major financial institutions and derivatives exchanges worldwide. He continues to be cited as an authority in options trading literature and his methodologies remain relevant in modern trading environments.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently note Natenberg's clear explanations of complex options trading concepts in "Option Volatility & Pricing." Many cite the book's mathematical rigor and practical examples as strengths. Multiple reviews mention the book helped them understand Greeks, volatility, and risk management.
Readers liked:
- Detailed options mathematics explanations
- Real-world trading examples
- Strong focus on volatility concepts
- Professional perspective from trading floor experience
Common criticisms:
- Dense mathematical content overwhelming for beginners
- Some concepts need updating for modern markets
- Print quality issues in newer editions
- Limited coverage of newer trading products
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: 4.6/5 from 856 reviews
Goodreads: 4.3/5 from 1,124 ratings
"Best explanation of delta hedging I've found" - Amazon reviewer
"Too technical for new traders" - Goodreads review
"The examples feel dated but concepts remain solid" - Reddit comment
📚 Books by Sheldon Natenberg
Option Volatility & Pricing: Advanced Trading Strategies and Techniques (1994)
A technical guide covering option theory, pricing models, volatility considerations, and trading approaches used in options markets.
Option Volatility and Pricing Workbook: Practicing Advanced Trading Strategies and Techniques (2021) A companion workbook featuring problems, exercises, and practical applications of concepts presented in the main volatility and pricing text.
Option Trading: Pricing and Volatility Strategies and Techniques (2015) An updated examination of volatility trading methods, risk management techniques, and market analysis for options traders.
Option Volatility and Pricing Workbook: Practicing Advanced Trading Strategies and Techniques (2021) A companion workbook featuring problems, exercises, and practical applications of concepts presented in the main volatility and pricing text.
Option Trading: Pricing and Volatility Strategies and Techniques (2015) An updated examination of volatility trading methods, risk management techniques, and market analysis for options traders.