My Life as a Quant

My Life as a Quant (2004) tells the unique story of what happens when a theoretical physicist swaps particle accelerators for Wall Street trading floors. It takes you on a journey from the mysteries of the universe to the chaos of financial markets, blending personal memoir with deep insight. It’s a story about chasing truth, embracing uncertainty, and learning where math ends and human nature begins.

• Financial professionals and traders
• Students in financial engineering or economics
• Fans of memoirs about intellectual discovery

Emanuel Derman is a former physicist turned financial engineer, best known for his pioneering work on quantitative models at Goldman Sachs. He helped develop the Black-Derman-Toy model and played a key role in translating complex financial theories into practical tools for Wall Street. As a professor at Columbia University, Derman explores the intersection of science, finance, and philosophy.