Rating: 
Summary: Must read to understand The Sage
Review: This is simply the most thourough book written about the life of Warren Buffett.
Rating:
Summary: A very good biography
Review: Let me start by saying that anyone interested in understanding Warren Buffett needs to read this book before anything else. The reason is simple. This is a pure biography - it doesnt try to influence you to think one way or another - it simply tells you the whole story about Warren Buffett and leaves you to draw your own conclusions. Though once you have established a knowledgeable unbiased view of WB and if you are interested in knowing more about WB's investment methods and their analyses - you should go on to read other texts by Ben Grapham Phil Fisher among others. Another important point is that the book is becoming a bit dated (ends in 1994). I think another edition is sorely needed as many important events have taken place in the last 8 years, not to mention the dotcom bubble - a time when WB was said to have lost his art. Also if the author does come out with another edition he would do well to include some analyses in it. Nothing much but simple charts etc giving a factual account of WB's investments like PE, BV and other ratios and sales, profits etc of companies in which WB invested at and near the time of investment. Overall I was greatly impressed with the work and recommend it to everyone interested in investing and WB.
Rating:
Summary: Must reading in these uncertain times!!!
Review: I will start off by writing this is my favorite business biography book. Roger Lowenstein wrote an excellent book about Warren Buffett. Lowenstein examined Buffett from his childhood and revealed how his personality shaped his investing philosophy. Like Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, and Wayne Gretzky, Warren Buffett has the ability to focus on his craft and let the investing world marvel and debate his genius. This book is for anyone whose interested in investing and who wants to understand the nature of genius.
Rating:
Summary: The best Buffett book out there..
Review: Most Buffett books have been horrible, but Lowenstein did a fabulous job in writing about the greatest investor of our time. A must read. One of best books I ever read. Lowenstein is a master story-teller and is probably one of the best business authors of our time.
Rating:
Summary: A Biography, NOT an Investment Guide
Review: This well written biography of Warren Buffett is just that, a biography. Those readers seeking Mr. Buffett's investment advice need to look elsewhere. "The Warren Buffett Way" written by Hagstrom or Mr. Buffett's shareholder letter in Berkshire Hathaway's annual reports would be an excellent place to start. In this book Lowenstein descriptively documents the events that shaped Buffett's life beginning with childhood. The reader gains an in depth understanding and appreciation of Mr. Buffett's business acumen. Any disappointment that the reader encounters is probably a result of the fact that Mr. Buffett leads an exceptionally mundane life. As a result, the reader at times will feel compelled to put the book down. If you are fascinated with Mr. Buffett's ability to consistently outperform the market or are a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder this is a must read.
Rating: 
Summary: Sometimes enthralling, sometimes not
Review: The most important criteria I use to grade a book by is my "captivation" factor. Having dispensed with this criteria, I was at times thoroughly captivated by this book, and at times, not. Suffice it to say that the book was a good read and that I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in the cognizant processes of a great mind like that of ole Warren. The really captivating parts of the book occur when the author shows us how Warren's thinking about business was formed. This is probably the book's most significant contribution. Here we learn about the type of work Warren does, what he does to evaluate a purchase, and who he learned everything he knows from. Humor is spread out through the book, and sometimes I found myself laughing out loud. The stories about Mrs. B are too good to miss. Especially when Warren says he "would rather wrestle a grizzly than compete with Mrs. B". Also, this anecdotal relief occurs again when he says it was "HELL to compete with her", and that was the reason why she dominated the furniture market in Omaha. He finally bought her business for $80 million, but not until after she had turned down an earlier offer. Not too shabby for an immigrant with a bad accent. There are moments when the book is boring, non-captivating, but I would still say that I am thoroughly satisfied with having read this book. Especially when he says that sometimes when he wakes up in the morning, he "could tap dance" b/c he is so happy with his work! It is easy to be envious of ole Warren.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK FOR ANY ONE INTO STOCKS.
Review: Here is a man who seems ordinary but is indeed extraordinary. A man whose sole desire is excellence in work. The greatness about Buffett is his achieving dizzy heights of financial success by conforming to truth honesty and simplicity - the foundation of the Principle Centered living. In a day and time when principles and morality are thrown to the wind and have become the norm by companies and individuals alike Buffet proves different from them all. Buffett proves that value investing wins over speculation. Consistency in return on investments is what sets him apart. The book is like seeing and talking to Warren in person! It's indeed the power of focus that has got him where he is today. The book alternates between his professional and private life. Since he is so much of a 'private person' the personal details were of as much interest to me as his professional achievements. This is a terrific read for anyone wanting to manage his money well and achieve financial freedom. His one failing seems to be his inability to express himself verbally in intimate relationships. Also Buffett would do well to use his enormous wealth by parting some of it to some humane cause or social activity. It appears he is unwilling to do that. This will ensure that his name lives long after he ceases to exit. All in all a great read for anyone into stocks. You finish the book with a clear idea of what it takes to win in any stock market. It's possible to make a fortune with even a very small sum. I follow Berkshires investments and stock price closely and hope to manage my finances better.
Rating: 
Summary: more romance than investment lessons
Review: If you are looking for a romantic story about Warren Buffet's life, this is the right book for you. If you're looking for clear cut investment lessons from a great investor, buy The Warren Buffet Way written by Hagstrom.
Rating:
Summary: An Investing Hero
Review: In the investing world, Warren Buffet stands alone -- and, after reading this book, you'll understand why. I'm giving the book five stars because I have never read a better biography than this one by Roger Lowenstein. And, with all honesty, there are a scarce few alive today that are, or could be, more interesting to read about than Warren Buffet. Here's a story about an ambitious youngster who lived to earn billions of dollars. A kid who loved, not just money, but "the fun of making money and watching it grow." In this book, you'll find a man of self-made wealth, a man of independent vision, a man of unswerving allegiance to the facts, and a man whose consuming passion -- and pleasure -- is his work. Warren Buffet, to be sure, is a hero much worth emulating. Likewise, one can be certain that this book is much worth reading -- for who better to read about than real-life heroes?
Rating:
Summary: Best of Breed
Review: This is the "Best of Breed" for the Warren Buffett books. I have read or skimmed most of them. This one requires more reading, in terms of volume, but it also delivers a better sense of his thoughts / actions and gives a better idea of how to implement it for yourself.
| 
