Rating: 
Summary: Better than it seems to some
Review: Although I agree with some reviewers about the origin of the book I believe it should be judged by its merits rather than by whether or not Mary Buffett is capitalizing on her relationship with Buffet's son. The book makes a great deal of sense actually and I have made a great deal of money in the stock market using methods almost identical to those espoused in the book. However, the authors fail to explain why low debt, high return on equity companies are so attractive. They dance around but never hit the correct answer. This makes me wonder if they really understand it. For the reader's future reference, once this simple fact is truly understood the investor is on his or her way to understanding investment. Another difficulty is that there are mathematical errors in the book and simplistic mathematical calculations. But the errors induced thereby are not large and no one seems to realize that the calculations are just a poor man's replacement for calculus. As someone with a extensive mathematical background I find this perfectly acceptable. Quite frankly, I have never needed more than simple algebra to understand investments anyhow so restricting the reader to this is good. Also, some sections of the book wander about somewhat aimlessly trying to explain rather simple concepts. I just think the authors don't have a quantitative background. As I said above that is ok but these concepts can be explained better in words than they are in the book. Finally, other reviewers are correct. Mary Buffett using Warren said this and Warren said that etc. throughout the book grates after a very few pages. But in the final analysis the book is worth the time and effort. It is actually an attempt to make a basic valuation theory available to the masses so to speak and it does a very good job of this. The book is definitely worth reading for those just starting out and in particular for those who think they understand investment but really don't. I will leave it to the reader's discernment as to who those individuals are.
Rating:
Summary: There is no better time to start learning Buffettology!
Review: Buffettology, along with it's sister book the Buffettology Workbook, gives you an insiders view of the investment philosophy of one of the most written about investors of all time, Warren Buffett. Mary Buffett (Warren's former daughter-in-law) and David Clark take you through a step-by-step account of the techniques and methods employed by Warren Buffett in building his empire. The book gives you a solid grounding in the thought processes behinds Warren's success covering both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of his analysis. The book covers everything from how to determine what companies are "consumer monopolies" to all the financial calculations that go into Warren's decision process. The book also covers the mentors that influenced Warren's investment style and information on how he started his now famous partnerships. I also strongly suggest the Buffettology Workbook. It will give you additional practice especially with the financial calculations. I especially like the Buffettology Worksheet at the end of the book. So before you watch that DVD for the third time or start working on that Mount McKinley jigsaw, think about what you could do that could profit you. With the current economic conditions and with people doing more home based activities, there is no better time then now for learning the secretes of Buffettology. Start preparing for the next market turnaround.
Rating: 
Summary: a book with full of mistakes and stupility
Review: i can't imagine anyone could misunderstand warren buffett and misled readers by that much, like a student from elementary school trying to explain what is the practical meaning of calculus. don't follow it, instead, read the essays of warren buffett and you can tell the difference between truth and fake. i would have given negative grad if there had such.
Rating:
Summary: A real eye opener!
Review: I felt that this was almost a great book. I have toyed with the stock market, not as a day trader, but as someone with the idea that I could buy low, make a quick profit, and reinvest. Boy, did I have the wrong idea. I am a firm believer that a steady, long-term, 15%-or better compounding interest investment is the best way to go. I was a little confused, because Warren invests multi-millions, versus my limited investment capability. One concept that I am learning on an on-going basis is, get a profitable system and stick with it through thick and thin times. It makes sense to follow the example set by someone who has "walked their talk". The authors make no attempt to guide an investor with limited captital. On the upside, this book is an excellent guide to the kind of companies which monopolize their various products, thus providing the best constant growth. There is so much valuable information within it's covers that this book must be read, and re-read. But, as you read, be sure to read between the lines. I have yet to read the other books about Buffet which have been published, but I will.
Rating: 
Summary: A Very Good Book!!
Review: I have read Peter Lynch books/Warren Buffett Way. These two books after I read them first made you think they were the greatest books on earth. But after you read this one those ones look far inferior to this one. What makes this one great -
1. Definite methodology to select stocks.
2. Calculation of Intrinsic value with a margin of safety. This is how Buffett Works -
1. Identify Consumer monopolies or franshises with good management and great earnings potential. (He learnt it from Fischer - Common Stocks Uncommon Profits).
2. Identify the intrinsic value of the stock. ( He learnt this one from John Burr Williams - Theory Of Investment Value).
3. Finally make sure there is a margin of safety present. (Ben Graham Intelligent investor). If all three points are present then buy the stock. Now this is exactly what buffetology has done. I liked the math in this book because nowdays investment books have all become like fiction books.
Also I recommend the workbook.
Rating:
Summary: Some possible clarifications
Review: I liked reading Buffettology. I'm somewhat new to investing and found the principles of valuation enlightening. However, there are some necessary clarifications for the naive like me and others. First, I don't think the small time investor could ever even approach Buffett's record (not even a 15 % compounding rate of return). He's the only one in history to have achieved his remarkable rates of return over 30 odd years. Secondly, Buffett is not a mutual fund mananger but a business acquirer who applies the principles of value investing. It becomes easier to earn higher rates of return when you have the power to influence the direction of major management decisions. This is how he adds value for the shareholders and is one of the less discussed "ingredients" in Chef Buffetts arsenal. With these ideas in mind, the small time investor without the enormous capital required to acquire a major holding in a business could be undertaking high risk when building a concentrated portfolio. Therefore, a stock picking strategy may not work for us. So I would say that with the right perspective this book is valuable, but should be read with a cautious eye. I would like to hear from any small time investor who has succeeded(achieved a 15 % rate of return or higher over 15 years)using a concentrated portfolio and a value investing strategy.
Rating:
Summary: Buffettology is a good book on long term stock investing
Review: I originally purchased this book in 1998, or so. I recently picked it up off my bookshelf and re-read it. Whether you believe that Mary Buffett is an expert on Warren Buffett or not, she definitely conveys good common sense about how to value companies and to invest for the long run. Buffettology addresses, among other fundamental investing concepts, how to pick well priced stocks of companies that have many years of history expanding earnings and return on equity. This book is divided into two parts: the first part is a qualitative discussion of Warren Buffett's investment styles, the second part delves into some ways to quantitatively evaluate companies and their stock prices. In the second part of the book, the authors introduce the reader to simple trend analysis, future value and present value approaches to evaluating the long-term likelihood of returning a fair return, or better, to the investor. I found the analysis and case studies to be a good reminder that there is more to stock analysis than P/E ratios and price, and a good introduction to common sense financial evaluation of companies and stocks for long term investing.
Rating: 
Summary: Opportunism at its lowest
Review: No, no, no. Give me a break, Mary Buffett gets divorced and suddenly reinvents herself as a Buffett know-it-all. Come on if the ignorant out there think that by reading this book they will be able to replicate Buffett's success, then they still believe in the tooth fairy. Mary Buffett is doing nothing more than capitalising on her supposed discovery of the "holy grail". If she had, do you really think she would have to sell books? Besides many great minds have tried, and failed, at trying to replicate Warren's success. I find the book simplistic, patronising, and written as if the author has just discovered Finance herself. I would recommend potential readers look elsewhere for insights into the Warren Buffett mind, by more qualified authors.
Rating:
Summary: Ex-Buffett on Buffett
Review: Probably the best of the Buffett books. Mary isn't part of the Buffett gang anymore, so she doesn't have anything to protect, just plenty to tell.
Mary Buffett and David Clark spell out Buffett's methodology as well as anybody. But once you get into the meat of the book, you realize that Buffett had (and has) a lot of advantages over most other investors. That, in and of itself, doesn't take away from the genius behind the method, just that you aren't going to approximate his returns without a lot of luck.
Particularly interesting is that many of his "great" purchases were made either when the market had momentarily beaten down a good company, or when the market in general was on the ropes. Both situations recall the sage advice to "buy when blood is running in the streets." Sadly, most investors are usually loaded up with stocks (and paper losses) and without the wherewithal to buy more when these panics hit.
That's where Buffett's business strategy comes in. By investing heavily in insurance companies early and often, he's the beneficiary of a steady stream of cash, ready to be put to use whenever the opportunity presents itself.
The authors' advice to mimic Buffett in seeking out consumer "monopolies" with intangible assets is good; "an unregulated monopoly that the world hasn't recognized yet," as they say. However, thousands of Wall Street's brightest are hard at work all day and into the night looking for those same jewels. So you'll have plenty of competition. Two problems arise from this type of book. The first is that the assumptions made about the expected growth of earnings/dividends over the course of the next 10 years can easily go astray. The business environment is changing rapidly. Long-range predictions haven't held up well recently (and frequently don't). The second problem is one of practicality. Do you actually have the resources and time to do the footwork that a Buffett or a Peter Lynch can do? If so, then maybe you'll be the next superstar. Otherwise, you'll have to find an easier way of going after that 20+% return year after year.
Rating:
Summary: Before walking into the NYSE/Nasdaq, read this book.
Review: Some people say, this book is too easy for MBA students. For the calculation part, I too, agree but NOT for the investment framework. This book will supply the reader with a range of value investment approaches like How important compounding is, How Buffett determines the intrinsic value of a company, How Buffett finds out if the managers are okay (and how important this actually is), What sort of calculation Buffett makes, How to get started in investing (like forming a partnership), etc., etc. Most importantly, was How Buffett avoided producing a negative return for his partners when the stock market's heading down, when interest rates and inflation are high... a technique he calls *Workouts*. Another powerful tool which both seasoned value investors and beginners can use is THE FINAL CHAPTER... read it every time b4 you make a decision, and you won't go far wrong. To really understand Buffett, you can't read this book by itself. And I wouldn't suggest it as a first read on Buffett. Roger Lowenstein's book should be first. But both are essential. What about Warren Buffett? According to my calculation, every $1 invested with him is today worth more than $8,000. ahmadredza@rocketmail.com
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