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Summary: Best Buffett Book Ever
Review: I've read a lot of books about Warren Buffett and this is by far my favorite. If you have to read only one, read this one.
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Summary: An amazing American capitalist with principles.
Review: The amazing securities investment analyst Warren Buffett is the focus of this near hagiographic biography that is filled with details about the life of an American capitalist that rivals the likes of Carnegie, Ford, or Morgan. Lowenstein has done a remarkable job in telling the financial story of Buffett's rise to securities fame, although not as much about his actual strategy (that's another story). The early years depict a precocious child adept at numbers in a household rich with a domineering mother and business-minded father. Buffett's early investments, his famous relationship with Katherine Graham of The Washington Post, his role in the Capital Cities purchase of ABC, his rescue of the Solomon Brothers, and his unique personal relationship with his wife all make for a highly interesting, fascinating tale, sure to be a hit in schools of business. Buffett's securities firm stock value has ranged from a meager $7, to an estimated 1994 value of over $20,000 per share, evidence enough of the sagacious leadership of this preeminent securities specialist. During the reckless '80s, Buffett's principle-centered approach to building value never wavered, thus solidifying his fame. James Lurie's powerful reading is dead on, evoking the power of this man's singular character. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Superb... highly entertaining and well written.
Review: Absolutely great book on the greatest investor of all time. The author of the book has done a remarkable and extensive research of anything and everything that is Warren Buffett. From before his birth up until around 1995, the book is filled with details about Warren Buffet's life, personality, and investment strategy. Although there are countless books about his life, I think this one ranks as the best in terms of details and writing style; the book never fails to entertain and keeps you highly interested. Buy this book, it is a great addition to any collection, a story of an unparalleled phenomenon.
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Summary: Best Buffett Book Ever
Review: I've read a lot of books about Warren Buffett and this is by far my favorite. If you have to read only one, read this one.
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Summary: Excellent reading
Review: I found that I knew so little about Warren Buffett, and this gave me a wealth of knowledge. Unfortunately, the book was written before the tech boom and subsequent collapse. Therefore, you do not get a sense of what he did during that time of hysteria, but prior to that it gives an insight that most authors aren't capable of relaying.
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Summary: How Buffett Thinks
Review: This book helps you understand how one of the greatest business thinkers of all time got that way. (How would Buffett approach a paper route as a boy, for example?) If you are interested in getting inside his head, this book is a good way to start.
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Summary: The Most Comprehensive Biography Yet
Review: This is a superbly interesting look into the life of Mr. Buffett. In my opinion, the most fascinating reading involves Warren's early years, as he learns to craft his genius and begin his life as an allocater of capital.It's especially puzzling that despite being a nerd, Buffett easily charms many of his class mates and others with whom he interacts. These skills were wildly successful as he went out seeking capital to launch his partnership. I have read this book a few times, and recently took to underlining the most interesting anecdotes passages and Buffettisms. After recently finishing the book, I realized that I had practically highlighted each sentence. There are many gems within to be comptemplated If you REALLY want to understand Buffett, ignore the "Invest Like Buffett" books out there (and there are a bunch). It is a lot more worthwhile to learn about the man, and especially his principles. This book in conjunction with his annual letters to his partners / shareholders is the best method by which a student can truly learn from the Oracle of Omaha.
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Summary: Read about Buffett and be inspired.
Review: I honestly can't say what drove me to read this book: all I know is that at some point, I knew I had to read about Warren Buffett. So I picked this book up at a bookstore (I had not had the forethought to order it online) and was immediately thrown into the life of the Oracle. I cannot imagine anyone reading this book and not immediately becoming a disciple of Warren Buffett. In a way, Lowenstein's biography reads like a legend - Buffett is the messiah of capitalism. Imagine having an average return on investments of 29% for one solitary year. Now imagine making that same average return for 40 years! Finally, throw out any notion that making such massive amounts of money was done deceitfully or immorally. Lowenstein helps us see Buffett not as somebody who has stolen wealth away from the masses (because if anything, he's created wealth for the masses), but as an investor - someone who recognizes value and buys into that value. It's what we do when we buy stocks or fall in love (is not love simply a statment of value?): we make investments. Lowenstein's portrait shows us of a man who has made billions by making rational and morally correct decisions. Yes, it would seem that Buffett has an ingenious ability to understand the capital markets, but even excluding his knack for money, the bottom line which Lowenstein draws is that Warren Buffett is an avatar for human beings. This is not to say that Buffett is perfect, but we would be hardpressed to find such strength of chracter and mind in another human being. How many billionaires live in the same house they've lived in for 30 years? How many CEOs tell their shareholders that they get to decide where to the company should make its charitable donations? Buffett stands very much as a symbol of Capitalism as an ideal, and Lowenstein paints a portrait of Buffett that beautifully illustrates a life lived under such righteous principal. As such, if you disagree with capitalistic ideals, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! Otherwise, maybe you'll be like me and find in Buffett an unlikely hero.
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