An American Hedge Fund
An American Hedge Fund is the story of Timothy Sykes. Tim was a guy who loved the stock market from a very early age. In 1999 he managed to con his parents into letting him invest $12,415 of Bar Mitzvah gift money into the stock market. His parents agreed, thinking he would lose it all and therefore be taught the value of a dollar. Instead, Tim turned that $12,415 into $1.65 million in four years. He became a millionaire at age 22, managed the number one short bias hedge fund from 2003 to 2006 and starred in the TV documentary Wall Street Warriors all before the age of 26.
Not Your Average How-To Book
Unlike 7 Winning Strategies for Trading Forex by Grace Cheng, An American Hedge Fund is not a how-to book. While there are how-to information in Tim’s book, the majority of it is dedicated to his trials and tribulations trying to start his own hedge fund. It’s an amazing read. I was fortunate enough to received an advanced copy of An American Hedge Fund a few months ago and I couldn’t put it down. Part of the reason is because the period the book deals in, 1999 to 2003, I was a part of it. Only I was coming at it from the Internet side and Tim was coming at it from the stock investing side.
Like me, Tim rode the dot com boom and made a lot of money by trading tech stocks. Unlike me, Tim rode the dot com crash and made a lot of money by shorting tech stocks. Tim’s stock performance was truly amazing. Between 1999 and 2002, Tim produced an average yearly rate of return of 323%! By comparison, the S&P 500 produced a negative 5.51% during the same period. And Tim did all this while working on his B.A. in Philosophy at Tulane University. He graduated in 2003.
While in his final year at Tulane, Tim started Cilantro Fund Management to try his hand at running a hedge fund. This is where the Cinderella story came crashing down. An American Hedge goes into great detail about the hardship Tim went through while trying to get his hedge fund off the ground. The hedge fund industry is a secret society. Hedge fund managers can’t talk to you about their funds unless you are an accredited investor (someone with a net worth of $1 million or more). These rules were set up by the government to protect us from ourselves.
Freedom of Finance
On October 1, 2007, Timothy closed his hedge fund to tell his story and promote Freedom of Finance, the concept of a hedge fund manager’s right to discuss their business freely without risk of penalty or censorship. Tim’s tell all book is the first shot across the SEC’s bow.
SEC regulations prohibit hedge funds from advertising, talking to the press and detailing our businesses to anybody worth less than $1 million. We comply because in exchange for giving up our rights to freedom of speech, we are allowed incredible investment flexibility.
Unfortunately, unable to speak directly to hedge fund managers, the press has turned to gossip and gutter talk. As a result, the general public considers hedge funds to be the most dangerous investment vehicles around. With these censorship rules in place, it doesn’t matter that less than 5% of hedge funds fail–these 5% are all the public has ever heard about….until now.
Win a Signed Copy of An American Hedge Fund
An American Hedge Fund is one of the best books I’ve read all year. Timothy Sykes serves as an inspiration to all young traders. His story is a must read. You can buy Tim’s book from Amazon.com or you can try your hands at winning one.
Tim sent me a few signed copies of An American Hedge Fund. I will be giving them away in the coming weeks. If you want one, just reply to this post. I’ll pick a random winner this Sunday night. Good luck!
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Glad to see you pitching some quality money making guides
he said this isnt a how to book. didnt you read the post?
Don’t try to “own me” Israel.
It’s a guide in the fact that we can all learn a lesson from this dudes mistakes, and in this case his mistakes were with the management of money.
money based mistakes + lessons learned = a money making guide for the rest of us!
Sounds like a very interesting story.
I think the $13k in Bar Mitzvah gift money is slightly more interesting. Who would get a thirteen year old 13k?
That book is actually part of another series by the same author, How to Maximize Bar Mitzvah Profits
hey JOhn I havent won anything yet! I would love to get that book!
Free Radiohead Cd, In Rainbow
Everyone want it…
Excellent post John. Its amazing what some people are capable of, $1.65m in four years is pretty impressive.
I think the more interesting part is how it all came crashing down.
I find the best lessons come from learning from mistakes, and I’d love to find out more about how he dropped the ball. It’s especially good when you can read about someone else’s mistake and avoid making the same kinds of mistakes yourself
I definitely want to win this. It sounds awesome and I think that even if I lose, I will buy it.
This does sound like an amazing book. I’ll pick this book up for sure, but I intend on winning this giveaway.
It would be nice to get that book.
I can’t wait to win this book and enjoy it
That will be an interesting read. A person who’s been a millionaire by the time he was 22 and featured by Wall Street by the time he was 26. That would be quite a read. hey John, pick me, I would like to win that book and turn around my future as well, hold on I am already 25, hey I still got one more year to make it, so hurry up and hand me that book
haha… that’s a good one. I am 27, and I am a year behind, so I need one more badly! And I just quit my job!
Ya I want one!
Sounds like a sick book – looking forward to winning one!
Okay John, I would like a chance to win one of those books.
This sounds like a great read. Not unlike Jim Cramer’s Confessions of a Street Addict about his career on Wall Street. I guarantee after I read it, I’ll give it away on my blog.
that sounds like a good book. think i will give it a read too.
I’d love to get this!
Put me down for one.
Looks like a good read. I’m in for the chance to win one.
I woud like a copy too!
I’ve been reading books about how to make money. And I do think this one is interesting. Might as well give a copy of that book John.
Sounds good, count me in please.
I’ve been reading books about how to make money. And I do think this one is interesting. Might as well give a copy of that book John.
Yeah it would be nice to give his book a read. .could use his info for myself.
I’ve been spying on your blog for awhile but never got a chance to post any comments. I would love to win a copy of this book.
Success stories get me depressed
Hey John!
I’ll have to pick up a copy of this. Sounds like one of my favorite books, Cleaning Up by Barry Minkow.
Me please, because my story is very similar to Tim’s, except I’m a little younger but not as rich (yet), but rich enough to work for myself, which is all that really matters in life.
i am happy for you.
Pretty impressive. But John, why dont you tell us about your dot com crash?
Hook me up!
I will win
greetings
Pick me Johnny! I never win anything… I like a good book…
It’s about time that some of the myths and rumors around hedge funds were put to rest. Should be an interesting read.
Thanks for the heads-up on this book, John. Even if I don’t win it, I think I’ll go check it out. It look’s fascinating.
Sounds like a good read.
Hope I win – it sounds fascinating!
I would really love to have a copy. Cheers.
I like to learn his story…!
Wow, would love to read his story.
Sounds very interesting
Not bad 1.65m in 4 years
I want one!!!
I deserve one!
Probably won’t understand it, but oh well, I’m game
LoL yeah stock is not something easy to understand. My brother tried to explain how everything works but it seems way much tricky and it needs way much attention and does need to be followed on hourly basis instead of daily.
This is great to see you promoting this book. I actually was lucky enough to get a review copy from Timothy several months ago! He’s a super, down to earth guy, and he has such a wild, exciting and suspenseful story to tell!
A true inspiration for a questionable generation…
must win at least one book please
I’m in!
I love reading about the trials and tribulations of people like Timothy. Oooh, ooooh, pick me, pick me!
It seems interesting, I want to read the book already !!
Count me in
I want this book too!
Entered comp =).
Count me in!
I would like to win the book.
It seems interesting.
Millionare in age of 22, omg!
This is one of the few book I really really would like to win.
Hey John, looking forward to read this book!
It sounds all a bit above my head but I’m in.
John,
I would love a copy of this book.
-Michael
count me in for a copy
*****************Competition Winner**********************
It looks like a great book would love a copy.
Another excellent trading book is The way of the Turtle.
******************************************************
In for the randomonium drawing…
John,
Thanks for giving away copies of this book. I have heard it’s a very interesting read.
Regards
Sounds like a great read…sign me up!
I hope I win this time. Haven’t won anything till now…
This book looks great! Lemme win
IN
C’mon that book was written for me!
I’m in.
Sounds like a good book.
I’d love to read it, thanks!
Sean
I want one!
There are some great books out there on these subjects.
David Dickinson’s book for those in the uk who knows who he is is definably worth a read. He is a lot more than just a cheesey Tv Presenter.
Wouldn’t mind a copy of this one!
I would love to win the book! Count me in
i would like one
Count me in!
I would like to win this book… please
John,
Please count me in on this contest. It might help my financial situation a bit by reading this so who knows how this might help me and others.
you had me at free
Hey John,
I’m always up for a new book. If you drop me your address, I have another book that I’d like to send to you that I think you would like. Have a great weekend… Ken
I’ve just signed up.. bring review. Hopefully I can get it. Is it just image ads? Are there any text ads as option? That’ll be great.
Hi John,
It’s not whether you win a free copy, it’s whether you try and apply what you have read. There’s a real power in using what you have learned be it paid for or free… Rodney
Count me in JC…
Sign me up
Sounds like an interesting read….Probably more interesting than Jim Cramers book =/
Whether I win it or not, this is a book I want to read!
yes!
This sounds like an amazing book. Anyone trying to stick it to SEC is okay in my book.
Hopefully he can open some people’s eyes to the fact that government really doesn’t have our best interests at heart.
I concur.
Hey John, I’ll pay for shipping
let me win this one!
I’d like to win a copy.
gimme
WOO HOO!!! Hedge Funds!
I want to Win! $REIGN!
I want to win!
This is one book i want to win!
pick me! pick me!
I will take it
Sounds like a good book I could review on my blog… Count me in!
Kenneth
DAM!!looks like there’s a line for this book!
JOHN HOOK ME UP BRO!!!
Hey, how about sending the book my way?
On cable in NY, there is a channel called MOJO. They telecast this programme called ‘Weekend Warriors’ about life of young hedge fund managers and the risk they take. Pretty interesting stuff. The stress is amazing in this kinda life style though.
Anyway, looks like an interesting read.
i remember watching the special on tv when they talked with tim and how he managed to invest his way to riches. i didn’t know that he actually started a hedge fund but i think it’s great to see someone stand up for something and bring up things that have been a secret in the past. i would love to win the copy of his book to read what he went through during his rise and fall.
Hope I win.
I want one!
Hedge Fund is the best way to win Forex. I learned thatin the hard way. Anyone here make money with forex? Would like to see how many is in this business.
I’ve seen Wall Street Warriors which features Tim. It is funny though, he’s a man who made a rather large sum of money but still has his mom do his laundry, hehe.
He’s a pretty smart guy and has quite a life story for being such a young guy. I would love to read his book.
Oh man. How sweet would it be if I could get one of them signed copies. His story sounds amazing!
Keep up the work John, I enjoy your site very much.
I’ve been wanting to get my hands on this book! Tim is very smart and at that age how could he even think about that? Congrads to him.
Even though I do not know very much about it. It sounds very interesting and a good read.
I really enjoyed reading this post!
Count me in! That book sounds VERY interesting and I would love to read it.
I have heard nothing but good things about this book. I’d like a chance to win one.
Thanks!!
Lynn
I would love a signed copy. Sounds like a great book. I love reading other people’s stories.
Please enter me for the Tim Sykes book.
I’ll be picking up a copy of this book but I’ll try and win a free signed copy first
John, I have never won anything online. This seems like an excellent opportunity for me to start winning!
Waiting for your email telling me I won.
BTW, excellent blog you have there fellow Canadian!
Later,
Techdogg
I’d hedge an american fund. If I knew what that meant!
I would like to win a copy too.
I’ve been watching him on Wall Street Warriors. I’d like a copy of his book.
I want one!
I want the book as well.
I love wall street warriors. The guy is crazy smart. Please put me in for the drawing
Count me in!
sign me up!
i’d like a copy!
nice thing, nice article .. i wd like to join!
pls sign me up!
thanks
I want one!
I remembered reading the first blog posts here back when you made the hat trick on digg and I have been a regular ever since. You have made a sincere impact on so many markets. I think it is awesome that you have so many walks of life taking notice of your blog. Tim is intriguing to watch in wall street warriors.
I want to read this book, it sound absolutely fascinating, especially considering my site is about stocks/finance!
I’d like to enter please!
Nice Writeup
John – you used Tim’s affiliate ID in the amazon link. Is everything ok
Count me in John
This guy is my role model. I would love to read his story. Enter me for the drawing please.
I love to learn more about trading! Nice article for a newbie trader. Count me in too!
OK, I’m interested in winning one of these books.. though it would probably be a valuable buy on it’s own, I’d still rather win one than buy one (that doesn’t make me cheap, it gives me a couple dollars extra to spend in the stock market).
I really want one!
gotta love these easy sign up to win contest. only on johnchow.com
Never heard of him. I think I’ll buy this book.
Nice review!
That book seems really inspiring, sign me up for the contest!
I am one of those that consider hedge funds as dangerous and so far have steered clear of it. I shall however read this and then decide whether I should change my opinion. The success and the admiring write up certainly motivates me to.
I added it to my wishlist – so I’d love to win one. I’m interested in knowing what happened to the hedgefund and if he was doing well when he quit, if he quit because he got in trouble, if he made money off of it, …
Late(ish) entry. Count me in!
Looks like a great read. Please count me in if it’s not too late.
hak
Ah, I’m interested. I’ll probably look into getting a copy. I love reading the stories of businessmen. It gets me in that mood.
That would be nice to get such book. I like such success stories, as it motivates to work more on own aims.
I hate to say this, but I love to win those books.
As a fellow Tulane Alum…I would love to get this book.
Interesting book review. Now i have an urge to read this book and the best way would be winning the book at this blog!
john is building up interest in reading book here..lol
sounds interesting. wonder if it’ll be in the library. oh wait, they’re still on strike here.
I am a huge fan of the financial markets and trade stocks and options full-time now, and this book American Hedge Fund would make a great addition to my trading / finance book library.
Please pick me, to receive the book.
Thanks John Chow.
I’m also starting to learn how to invest on the stock market recently. I’m a bit confuse about the term “hedge” right now. I’m not quite sure about what it means. The first time I heard it was when the American mortgage issue back on August this year. I think this book should be a great reading for me. The capital market it surely “delicious” But remember high gain means high risk