Is there a good alternative to Hull's Options, Futures, and Other Derivatives? I'm currently reading and not getting the point (how do the topics relate to M&A, PE, Markets, etc). Much of the math seems full of assumptions, and not a lot of explanation as to how the equations were derived. I probably need a primer before reading Hull if anyone could recommend. I took a look at the "master list", but it's a mile long. Is there any one book or collection of books any of you would read instead?