Schwager is a well-known hedge fund analyst and the author of many best-selling financial books. Stock Market Wizards is a collection of his most frequently circulated interviews with professional traders and hedgers over the previous three decades, and is undoubtedly his most famous book (2001). Interviews with traders who profited handsomely from the Internet boom will be included in this book. In contrast to the previous two market magic volumes, which featured traders from a range of financial markets (stocks, bonds, currencies, and futures), this volume will exclusively feature traders from the stock market.

The history of stock exchanges traces back to the 16th century when merchants in European trading hubs began gathering to buy and sell securities, shares, and bonds. The first recognized stock exchange emerged in 1602 when the Dutch East India Company issued shares to the public in Amsterdam, creating a market for trading these shares. This laid the groundwork for the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, which is often considered the world's first official stock exchange.

Over the centuries, stock exchanges evolved globally, with key milestones including the formation of the London Stock Exchange in 1801 and the New York Stock Exchange in 1792. With the advent of technology, trading became more accessible and efficient, leading to the rise of electronic trading platforms and the proliferation of stock exchanges worldwide, facilitating the buying and selling of securities on a global scale.