Book excerpt: Cotton Trading Manual (CTM) is the first work to provide a comprehensive reference source to the conduct of the complex international cotton market. CTM begins by looking at the history of the cotton trade, and then moves on to assess the current global picture, including a discussion of trends in the market, as well as production and consumption analysis. The third and fourth parts focus on trading in physical cotton and futures respectively. Finally, the last section deals with administrative and management issues within the cotton trade as a whole, such as contracts, insurance and risk management. CTM is an indispensable practical companion for all those involved with trading in this commodity. - Comprehensive reference to the complex international cotton market - Discusses the history of the cotton trade - Assesses the global picture, looking at trends and production and consumption analysis