 2009-01-08 - Is he good, or lucky?
What I liked-->First, for an 800+ page book, the author keeps a good pace. The book was entertaining throughout. Second, the author sticks to the facts. Third, the chapter on Mrs. B is wonderful. It is America at its best. Fourth, the story of what happened at Salomon Brothers is great to read, and timely. Fifth, after reading the book Mr. Buffett seems like a real human being.
What I didn't like-->The author made a decision that a step by step description of the process Mr. Buffett uses to evaluate what companies or stocks to buy was not worth including in the book. This expertise is the core of who Warren Buffett is. He chose to use it to make money instead of spending time with his family. Maybe Buffett wouldn't go into the details (his friends describe him as secretive in the book); maybe it was edited out to shorten the book; maybe it is boring or trite or obvious; maybe the author felt it was already available in Buffet's extensive commentary on the "The Intelligent Investor" and in the letters to the Berkshire shareholders. What did make it into the book are the stories of several companies whose stock prices went bad for a long time ( Buffalo newspaper, Salomon Bros,, General Re, Coke) after Buffett bought into them. But why he got into them originally instead of all the other stocks in the market, and what financial information gave him his edge to ride through the bad times, well, "Snowball" gives only hints.
 2009-01-06 - Very unhappy
I bought this book as a Christmas present for my Son. I ordered it on 28th November but did not receive it until after Christmas so am very very very unhappy.
 2009-01-06 - fascinating
It gives us an insight into one of the most complex characters in american finances - both the good and the bad. The info on acquirting companies was terrific. Highlight. On weekend with Reagan, he told the President that what he was doing - spending more than he collected - would forever start the nation on a serious journey of overwhelming debt. This was 1982 and here we are in 2009 and another Republican President has certainly done a number in this area in leaving us shortlyto a horrible long term problem. Finally, you can detect Buffett's sense of humor in things as a number of his words of wisdom have proven to be correct.
2009-01-06 - A great book, especially in today's economic crisis
I purchased this book for my husband and gave it to him for Christmas. Since then, he has been devouring it. The book is quite large and my husband describes it as "heavy reading" because there is a great deal of detail about Warren Buffet's life and the people in it, both from a personal perspective and also from a business perspective. My husband reads passages of the book to me because he is so enthusiastic about it, and I have to admit that the content does indeed sound very interesting. It appears that the content of Warren's book and especially Warren's financial philosophies are very relevant to the current economic crisis in which America finds itself right now.
From the amount of enjoyment my husband is getting in reading this book, I would have to recommend it highly.
 2009-01-06 - Interesting Subject, Some Stiff Writing
I'm fascinated by this folksy Richest Man in The World, and so I can't put the book down. Lots of background information and description of his life and business. After reading more about him as a person, I'm coming away less in awe of the man than I was.
However, I don't think the writing is all that great. At times it reads like a bland listing of life events and investments made. The author rarely offers much commentary on what she is describing. Seems like she is trying so hard to describe every day of his life that she didn't have time to make any insightful comparisions or comments.
Still, I'm fascinated by the guy and am enjoying learning more about him.
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