How to Select and Use Textbooks?

How to select and use textbooks? I usually read them from beginning to end as the authors write them in a way that the ideas and topics build on top of each other (at least in quantitative textbooks). If I am wanting to learn a very specific topic and I have covered many of the topics in a textbook already, I will jump in to a specific chapter instead of starting from the beginning. I usually do this approach when I want a different perspective on a specific topic.
When I review textbooks (or am considering to buy a textbook) I look for the following areas.
1) Scope
2) Topics Covered
3) Readability
4) Examples
5) Value
6) Purpose
And overall I try to determine who the book was written for.
As textbook advice: you are better buying one book and spending a lot of time learning it in depth than buying multiple textbooks on a wide range of topics and just skimming them!
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[@brandonmiret5622]

I just discovered your channel and have been enjoying your content. I subscribed and followed you on LinkedIn. Thank you for making these videos.

[@DimitriBianco]

Thanks for being a part of the channel!

[@akifahmed471]

Great video Dimitri. Thanks for the content.

[@gerodonadio3297]

thanks for all the content, this will be a high value series for all

[@suckmyartauds]

So awesome to see another textbook nerd on KZbin. I love folks like you and the Math Sorcerer sharing your awesome collections with us. There's nothing quite like picking up a book and exploring all the topics and applications they didn't have time to get into during the semester

[@elijahcherweznik3505]

+1. I saw your videos years ago and saw you mention that time series book by Hamilton and got it even before finishing the college calculus series, and boy howdy, I'm still working my way though the pre-requisites of the pre-requisites of it while it sits on my shelf. It does however give me motivation as something to work towards being able to read and understand.

[@DimitriBianco]

It is a great book. I still have to search online or in other books for topics mentioned in that book.

[@BiancaAguglia]

Wooldridge's _Econometrics_ is one of your favorite books? I didn't know that. Just kidding. I've heard you mention the book many times already.😊 Thank you for another practical and detailed video. I very much enjoy how you manage to create a combination of videos useful for both life skills and technical skills. Keep up the great work.

[@DimitriBianco]

Thanks!

[@matteogirelli1023]

We use Hamilton's textbook in our time series courses in my master's in Economics😅

[@DimitriBianco]

I've seen Hamilton used in undergrad however the rigor depends on how the class is structured.

[@Huzaifa47282]

Cool video!

[@preston3291]

Brilliant

[@DimitriBianco]

Thanks

[@luke_atlas]

Dmitri how crucial is knowing an even deeper understanding of say general topics. The book you recommended for Linear Algebra focuses on mechanical concepts barely any rigour. A more rigorous book like Finite-Dimensional Vector Spaces by Halmos, Linear Algebra by Wreub, Advanced Linear Algebra by Steven Roman, and Linear Algebra Done Right by Sheldon Axler cover these topics in more rigorous proof-based mathematics. These books prepare you better for higher-level Mathematics. However, our focus is on Quantitative Finance does this mean we can forego higher level overview for an introductory overview sufficiently for niche books like Financial Time Series?

[@DimitriBianco]

There is a time constraint in life meaning you have to pick and choose what areas you want to specialize more in versus other areas. The general topics will be the foundation for other areas. Depending on what areas you specialize in will determine if you should spend more or less time on a specific topic. As for time-series, as with any topic there is a general (beginning) level and you can specialize more in specific areas of time-series. The video coming out this Sunday shows three books for beginner, intermediate, and advance. Even though time-series is nothing more than linear algebra it has a beginning which is not very rigorous. If you skip the beginning book you will miss the importance of the basic ideas at a high level. I will also note someone commented they used the advanced book in their grad program. I have seen it used for undergrads as well. However I will point out that you will not cover the entire book and most of those students will miss the big picture.

[@luke_atlas]

@@DimitriBianco Thank you! Much appreciated insight, ideally we concurrently upskill while working so covering three levels of difficulty per niche area doesn't sound impossible.

[@explare.commercial]

Appreciate your efforts, Sir! Thanks ☺

[@alan713812]

One day Dimitri will have his own library to which the students will come and read!

[@DimitriBianco]

I hope to have an office like that for employees to study.

[@xkr2]

I love books that have tons of solved examples. That's where most of the learning happens for me. Hate books with no real examples and then simply jump some super difficult practice problems. That's such a lazy approach to writing books. Also, love books that summarize what you've learned after each section and similarly books that give an intro as to what any particular section covers in terms of its objective. Connecting the pieces together in difficult topics is super important. So any books that clearly lay down that link between sub-topics make learning easier.

[@CarterBabylung]

Hi Dimitri thanks for the video. I'm trying to brush up on inferential statistics. My grad professor wrote his own course and really went ham on the proofs, but not so much the examples. I've checked out Probability and Statistical Inference by Hogg and Tanis and the other book you mentioned by Devore in your other recent video. However I'm wondering if there is a more grad-level book that you know of on statistical inference? Thanks.

[@CarterBabylung]

Actually I just looked up the books used in grad courses in a sample of American universities so it's all good

[@-es2bf]

Just finished a master's degree in mathematics. Been applying tons of jobs, but still no luck in landing my first real full time job. Have experience in SQL, but that's about it in terms of professional software experience. Trying to teach myself C++ and implement mathematical algorithms in C++ to put on my CV, do you think this will help me to find a job in finance?

[@DimitriBianco]

If you send me your resume I can make some suggestions and answer more questions. You can either add me on LinkedIn or find me email on the website. www.fancyquantnation.com

[@JensN113]

Dimitri, can you please do a book review on "Machine Learning in Finance: From Theory to Practice" by Dixon/Halperin/Bilokon?

[@asdasdqwdqwdqw]

Hi, Dimitri. Any thoughts on transitioning from ML/DS in tech to quant dev/trader/researcher? what is the path? Also, can you make a video of the different roles in the quant world? Thanks! I am a ML Engineer looking to move to the quant world.

[@constantinbrincoveanu5998]

I'm a ML engineer as well and curious about the same.

[@chakermeraihi9661]

Hey Dimitri , how do you read books ? Do you take notes and summarize or..?

[@DimitriBianco]

I highlight in my books the important pieces. It saves me time when I come back to find a specific point. I do not take notes however I often work the problems on paper. I have created summary documents and presentations but that's usually for work or youtube projects.

[@chakermeraihi9661]

@@DimitriBianco thank you

[@6Ligma]

Dimitri can I message you about my dissertation on Linkedin? I kind of want to get your takes on it.

[@DimitriBianco]

Yeah you can send it to me on there.