To get the most out of this book one needs to understand its original objectives. Many reviews seem to be critical of its elementary nature and concentrate on disputing its usefulness to those involved in advanced quantitative finance. I was initially skeptical of this book but a colleague insisted I look at it.

Connolly's analysis of option volatility and the `Greeks' is brief but precise and always to the point. (Why take five pages when you can do it in one?) The book is written without the use of complex equations so as not to intimidate the reader and appeal to a wider audience of new entrants to the field (both academic and practical). It is not intended to be the definitive options strategy guide guaranteeing instant profits. It does however give the reader a solid grounding in options fundamentals and leaves the reader confident in their ability to tackle texts of a more advanced nature.

Those comparing the lack of detail in this book to more advanced works have completely missed the point of this text. Even today, no other book (including Baird) equals this text in terms of introducing and explaining the mechanics of options.