MY TOP BOOKS ABOUT SHIPPING AND COMMODITY TRADING
The World for Sale by Javier Blas and Jack Farchy dives into the secretive world of commodity trading, highlighting how powerful traders shape global markets, exploit geopolitical crises, and thrive in the shadows of major industries. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the movers and shakers in the raw materials that fuel the world.
Maritime Economics by Martin Stopford is a comprehensive guide to the global shipping industry, exploring its history, market dynamics, and economics. It covers shipping cycles, ship design, ports, and maritime policies, offering insights into how maritime trade drives global commerce and adapts to technological and economic changes.
Oil 101 by Morgan Downey is a beginner-friendly guide to the oil industry, explaining the fundamentals of how oil is explored, produced, refined, and traded. It covers the economic, geopolitical, and technical aspects of oil, offering a clear understanding of its role in powering the global economy.
Perfectly Hedged: A Practical Guide to Base Metals by Samuel Basi is a comprehensive manual for understanding the intricacies of base metals trading and risk management. The book focuses on practical strategies for hedging, market analysis, and navigating the complexities of metals like copper, aluminum, and zinc. It combines industry expertise with actionable insights, making it a valuable resource for traders, analysts, and professionals in the metals markets.
The King of Oil by Daniel Ammann is a biography of Marc Rich, the controversial billionaire trader who revolutionized global commodity trading. It delves into his rise as a pioneer of spot oil markets, his infamous tax evasion case, and his eventual presidential pardon, uncovering the complex legacy of a man who reshaped the world’s energy trade.
Commodity Conversations by Jonathan Kingsman is an accessible guide to understanding the basics of agricultural commodity trading. The book explores how markets function, the key players involved, and the challenges traders face, with a focus on practical insights and real-world examples. It’s a great starting point for anyone curious about how food and agriculture markets operate globally.
Commodities and Commodity Derivatives: Modeling and Pricing for Agriculturals, Metals, and Energy by Helyette Geman provides an in-depth analysis of the commodities markets, focusing on pricing, risk management, and the financial instruments used in trading. The book combines theory with practical applications, covering a wide range of commodities—agriculture, metals, and energy—while exploring the impact of factors like seasonality, storage, and logistics on pricing and derivatives. It’s a comprehensive resource for professionals and academics in finance and commodities.
40 Classic Crude Oil Trades by Owain Johnson is a practical guide to understanding crude oil markets through real-world trading scenarios. The book breaks down key trading strategies, market dynamics, and price drivers, offering insights into both physical and financial oil trading. It’s an essential resource for traders, analysts, and anyone looking to deepen their knowledge of the complex and fast-moving crude oil market.
THE GOOD BOOKS
The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power by Daniel Yergin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning history of the global oil industry. It explores the critical role oil has played in shaping economies, politics, and wars, from its discovery to modern times. The book provides a comprehensive look at the key players, events, and geopolitical conflicts that have defined the energy landscape.
The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger by Marc Levinson explores the transformative impact of the shipping container on global trade and economics. It traces the container’s invention, adoption, and the revolution it brought to logistics, drastically reducing transportation costs and enabling globalization. The book highlights how this simple innovation reshaped industries, cities, and trade routes worldwide.
The Sugar Casino by Jonathan Kingsman explores the global sugar industry’s complexities, covering production, trade, sustainability, and market dynamics. With insights from industry leaders, it debunks myths and highlights the factors shaping this essential commodity.
Cyclope The 2023 edition, titled “The Horsemen of the Apocalypse,” examines the challenges facing commodity markets, such as geopolitical tensions, environmental concerns, and economic uncertainties
The Shipping Man by Matthew McCleery is a novel that blends fiction with industry insights, following a New York hedge fund manager who unexpectedly enters the high-stakes world of shipping. The story offers a humorous and informative look at the challenges, risks, and rewards of the maritime industry, making it both an engaging read and a crash course on the business of ships.
Out of the Shadows: The New Merchants of Grain by Jonathan Kingsman examines the transformation of the global grain trade, focusing on seven dominant companies, including ADM, Bunge, Cargill, and COFCO. It sheds light on their operations, influence on the global food supply, and the challenges they face, offering a modern perspective on this vital industry.
THE OK TO READ :
How Mining Works by W. Scott Dunbar is an accessible guide to the mining industry, explaining the science, engineering, and economics behind the extraction of minerals and metals. It covers the entire mining process, from exploration and extraction to processing and environmental management, with clear explanations and practical examples. Ideal for students, professionals, and anyone curious about how raw materials are sourced to power the modern world.
Merchants of Grain by Dan Morgan provides a detailed look into the secretive world of the global grain trade. It profiles the powerful companies and individuals who control the flow of wheat, corn, and other grains, shaping food supply and geopolitics. The book explores their history, influence, and the role they play in feeding the world, offering a fascinating glimpse into this critical but often overlooked industry.
Agricultural Finance: From Crops to Land, Water, and Infrastructure by Hélyette Geman offers a comprehensive exploration of the financial aspects of the agricultural sector. The book delves into the complexities of agricultural markets, including commodity price fluctuations, trading strategies, and the broader agribusiness industry. It addresses the challenges of feeding a growing global population and examines critical components such as land, water resources, fertilizers, biofuels, and ethanol. By integrating financial theory with practical applications, Geman provides valuable insights for professionals and academics interested in the intersection of finance and agriculture.
Ninety Percent of Everything by Rose George offers a fascinating dive into the hidden world of shipping, the industry responsible for moving 90% of global trade. The book uncovers the lives of seafarers, the challenges of shipping logistics, and the environmental and economic impacts of the trade that fuels modern life. It’s an eye-opening exploration of an industry that is both essential and largely invisible.
Depression, Oil Trading & A Mind At War With Itself by Jonathan Ford is a memoir exploring the intense world of oil trading in the 1990s, intertwined with the author’s personal struggles with depression and anxiety. It offers a candid look at balancing a high-pressure career with mental health challenges.
Mastering the Grain Markets: How Profits Are Really Made by Elaine Kub provides an in-depth guide to understanding grain markets and the strategies behind successful trading. It covers market analysis, risk management, and the practical aspects of trading grains like wheat, corn, and soybeans. With clear explanations and real-world insights, the book is ideal for traders, farmers, and anyone involved in agricultural markets.
Dynasties of the Sea: The Shipowners and Financiers Who Expanded the Era of Free Trade by Lori Ann LaRocco profiles the influential shipowners and financiers who have shaped the modern maritime industry. The book explores their strategies, challenges, and contributions to global trade, offering insights into the personalities and businesses driving the world’s shipping economy. It’s a fascinating look at the leaders behind an essential yet often overlooked industry.
Letters of Credit and Documentary Collections by Bill Hahn is a practical guide to understanding the mechanisms of international trade finance. The book explains how letters of credit and documentary collections work, their legal frameworks, and their role in mitigating risks for importers and exporters. It’s a valuable resource for professionals involved in global trade, finance, and logistics.
Import/Export: How to Take Your Business Across Borders by Laurel J. Delaney is a practical guide for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to expand globally. It covers the fundamentals of international trade, including market research, legal requirements, logistics, and cultural considerations. The book provides actionable strategies for successfully navigating the complexities of cross-border commerce.
THE BAD BOOKS :
The Secret Club That Runs the World: Inside the Fraternity of Commodity Traders by Kate Kelly offers a gripping look into the secretive and high-stakes world of commodity traders. The book profiles the power players who dominate markets for oil, metals, and food, detailing their strategies, rivalries, and influence on global economies. It’s a behind-the-scenes narrative of how these traders operate, often in the shadows, to shape the supply and pricing of essential resources.
Trading Commodities and Financial Futures: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering the Markets by George Kleinman is a comprehensive resource for understanding and navigating the futures markets. The book covers fundamental and technical analysis, trading strategies, and risk management, focusing on both commodities and financial futures. With practical examples and real-world insights, it’s a valuable guide for beginners and experienced traders aiming to enhance their market knowledge and trading skills.