Daily Speculations The Web Site of Victor Niederhoffer and Laurel Kenner Dedicated to the scientific method, free markets, ballyhoo deflation, value creation, and laughter. A forum for us to use our meager abilities to make the world of specinvestments a better place

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12/02/2005
Red Badge of Courage, reviewed by J.T.

I read Red Badge of Courage by Crane last month again, but for the first time in my adult life. The conflicts internally between Henry and his thoughts on War are metaphorically similar to that of life as a would be speculator. His decisions initially on whether or not to be a soldier in the War are not far from the conversations on the List last week on Life, War, Humans and their respective places. Henry, like a Speculator, broad and loosely, talks himself into becoming, entering, engaging, regretting, retreating when others are moving forward, moving forward when others are retreating and wishing he had a Red Badge like those around him. Ironically in Speculation we at first look for a double, triple or famous 10 baggers instead of a loss? Vic might have an opinion on this foil opposite? We see the old and read of them (100 yr old Wall St books) and walk beside them as Henry did, envying and looking up to them as they talk of losses and gains. Henry became a friend of Jim Conklin the old soldier and walked beside and took care of him til dying moments symbolically like the traders of firms gone down by single trades not bullets. Henry and Wilson's realization of their own part of life is a humbling experience that War makes them see how insignificant they can be. This is like the transformation from a braggard trader on "the streak" to the same person realizing after glancing at month end statements, hoping he can get back in there for one more contract. The book is full of comparisons, wonderful to read over and reflect. I highly recommend taking the time to do so. Of course speculators aren't soldiers and vice versus. I know that, save the flaming emails returns. Do former military make good speculators though? Has Art of War ever been quoted on this List? God Bless our soldiers that are in the middle of it right now. Crane, I feel would agree with the far reaching principles that he wrote of, and the conflicts and trials that we put ourselves through on a daily basis no matter what form that takes or manifests it applies to all. War though maybe the ultimate manifestation of that conflict?