Book Review: Options Trading For Dummies by Joe Duarte
Joe Duarte’s Options Trading for Dummies offers an approachable introduction to the often-daunting world of options trading. With over 4.4/5 stars on Amazon from 500+ ratings, this book simplifies complex concepts, delivering them in clear, digestible language—precisely what its title promises.
What Works Well
Beginner-Friendly Foundation
Duarte expertly demystifies the basics—calls, puts, strike prices, breakevens, Greeks, and pricing drivers—making them easy for novices to understand target.com.Comprehensive Strategy Coverage
From index and equity options to spreads and covered calls, Duarte explains both core and more advanced strategies, helping readers think critically about when and how to use eachReal-World Focus
The book emphasizes risk management and trading psychology, advising readers to engage with the market and learn through experience reddit.com.Highly Rated by Users
Readers lauded its clarity and organization:
“Explained in a very concise and practical way, easy to understand.”
“A great introduction to options, giving enough theory to make a playbook …”
Voices from Reddit
Reddit users generally appreciate it as a solid starting point:
“Options Trading for Dummies is definitely worth it for beginners, since options are complicated.”
And others frame it as a foundation platform:
“I go through half of Duarte then went with Options Playbook.
Final Verdict
Options Trading for Dummies excels as an introductory resource, offering a structured, jargon-free path into options. It’s ideal for readers who want foundational understanding and practical strategies—though many will outgrow it and benefit from follow-up reads like McMillan’s Options as a Strategic Investment or Natenberg’s Option Volatility & Pricing.
Recommended if you’re new to options and ready to learn through practice.
Consider pairing it with online tools (like Tastytrade or brokerage simulators) and more advanced texts once you grasp the basics.
Suggested Reading Path
Start here with Duarte’s beginner-friendly guide.
Use broker resources or simulators for practical experience.
Graduate to advanced texts (McMillan, Natenberg) for depth on volatility and Greeks.
Joe discusses Five must know factors about selling covered calls.