My rating:
add to my books
Loading...
Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist
Since its hardcover publication in August of 1995, Buffett has appeared on the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, Seattle Times, Newsday and Business Week bestseller lists. The incredible landmark portrait of Warren Buffett's uniquely American life is now available in paperback, revised and updated by the author.
Starting from s...more
Starting from s...more
Paperback, 496 pages
Published
August 18th 1996
by Main Street Books
(first published 1995)
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,145)
Everyone is interested in a billionaire! How he did it? Where did his ideas come from? Was he worthy of it? One ends up forming an opinion on such people very easily. Warren Buffet, unlike the Gates and the Jobs of the world, is however not that public a figure. His intelligence does not necessarily impact the common man's life so openly, and so frequently as it does for a few others. But having said that, reading about him has made me realise that not knowing about Buffet's ideologies, his ecce...more
Reading this biography clarifies some of the traits that have contributed to Warren Buffett's astounding business success: his laser-like focus, his unusual capacity to perform math in his head, and his appreciation for true value as opposed to what I'll call "bling appeal." Insightful and meticulously researched, Lowenstein sheds light on the personality and thought process of one of the world's richest men, who started off in his in-laws' basement with little more than $800 and parla...more
Roger Lowenstein is my favorite business journalist and this biography of Warren Buffett is probably one of his best known works. It's a nice portrait of Buffett from someone who obviously admires him.
It is hard not to see Buffett, with his homespun ways and lack of pretension, as one of more impressive great American capitalists. But I was still struck by the fact that making money and doing good are not one and the same.
For instance, consider this statement Buffett made...more
It is hard not to see Buffett, with his homespun ways and lack of pretension, as one of more impressive great American capitalists. But I was still struck by the fact that making money and doing good are not one and the same.
For instance, consider this statement Buffett made...more
Informed biography of Buffett
Bill Gates, Sam Walton and John D. Rockefeller became immensely wealthy by developing innovative businesses. Warren Buffett became rich by picking stocks better than anyone else. Forbes recently listed him as the world’s richest man, but he lives in the same Omaha house he bought for $31,500 in 1958. He drives his own car, prepares his own taxes, wears inexpensive suits and does not employ servants beyond an “every other week” housekeeper. Buffett is a...more
Bill Gates, Sam Walton and John D. Rockefeller became immensely wealthy by developing innovative businesses. Warren Buffett became rich by picking stocks better than anyone else. Forbes recently listed him as the world’s richest man, but he lives in the same Omaha house he bought for $31,500 in 1958. He drives his own car, prepares his own taxes, wears inexpensive suits and does not employ servants beyond an “every other week” housekeeper. Buffett is a...more
Warren Buffett might be the most enigmatic man of our time. While everyone knows that his past half century of investing has made him into the richest man in the world, nobody seems to know much about him beyond this. The few anecdotes we sometimes hear- he still lives in the same modest house in Omaha, he doesn't drink anything stronger than coca-cola, he drives himself around in a very basic Lincoln- only pique our curiosity more.
Roger Lowenstein is well known for writing extreme...more
Roger Lowenstein is well known for writing extreme...more
I recently re-read this Buffett biography (first published in 1995 and now re-issued with a new Afterword, dated January 2008) and then read Alice Schroeder's The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life. Both are first-rate. Which to select if reading only one? That depends on how much you wish to know about Buffett's personal life, including his relations with various family members, and how curious you are about his personal hang-ups, peculiarities, eccentricities, fetishes, etc. If ...more
A damn interesting read. Buffett is a huge lefty, if you didn't know (I didn't realize it, and certainly didn't get how far left he really is) and the book is so well written, it feels like good fiction. If you're even mildly interested in Warren Buffett, read this book. His mantra, it would seem, is to never waste money, and to always maximize profit. The author does a bang up job at getting a picture of Warren across, though I'd say that it is mildly idolizing (hard not to do this when th...more
One of the earliest Warren Buffet biographies -- and still a standout. The fact that Roger Lowenstein wrote this during an era when Buffett was refusing to give interviews makes it an even more astonishing accomplishment.
Lowenstein talked to everyone. Buffett's kids. The CEOs of his portfolio companies. His competitors, his old classmates, etc., etc. The anecdotes are rich as can be and the character insights are even better. You'll admire Buffett's accomplishments at the end of this...more
Lowenstein talked to everyone. Buffett's kids. The CEOs of his portfolio companies. His competitors, his old classmates, etc., etc. The anecdotes are rich as can be and the character insights are even better. You'll admire Buffett's accomplishments at the end of this...more
Once again Roger Lowenstein delivered a fantastic story on another financial genius. I am huge fan of his portrayal of John Merriweather in When Genius Failed and this time around, Lowenstein he added just the right mix of personal and professional anecdotes.
Buffett’s contrarian style, diehard commitment to patient capital and firm resolve that the balance sheet and senior management is his “tell all” to investing in companies is humbling. But like any good Greek tragedy, the hero i...more
Buffett’s contrarian style, diehard commitment to patient capital and firm resolve that the balance sheet and senior management is his “tell all” to investing in companies is humbling. But like any good Greek tragedy, the hero i...more
It's a great read. Amazing for an author who did not have direct access to the subject. I've read Snowball and realized now, how detailed Snowball is!! Events mentioned in passing here are described in such detail there. But there is more emphasis on Buffett's investment philosophy and how it weaved into his life, and less on his personal life. It could be because of the limited access he had. Only topic which is covered in more detail here is the EMT (Efficient Market Theory) and Buffet's disag...more
Menarik nih bukunya untuk membaca kehidupan sang maestro dalam dunia investasi. Seorang milyader yang hidup dengan sederhana...
view all 8 comments
I have been reading all of Sean's books lately. Sean for years has had a man crush on Buffett--- mostly because Sean also wants to be the richest man on earth. He will talk on and on about him, and I usually had little interest. But, the library revoked my card because I moved--- so I have been forced to scan my own book shelves. Now I have a crush on Warren Buffett too--- seriously--- cool guy, living the American dream, and still staying down to earth. Plus, the whole thing was about busine...more
The middle of this book is the gold. The begging is interesting but its applicability is minimal, and the ending which focused heavily on Salomons didn't interest me a whole lot. Additionally, it would be worthwhile to have a newer edition since this is almost 15 years old (1996).
Over all, I really liked it. The author (a writer for WSJ) does a great job of explaining the technical aspects of Buffet's investing and his competitors strategies, although sometimes he rushes over conc...more
Over all, I really liked it. The author (a writer for WSJ) does a great job of explaining the technical aspects of Buffet's investing and his competitors strategies, although sometimes he rushes over conc...more
A true hustler!
This book has re-awakened my value-minded economist mentality. Warren Buffet really personifies money-consciousness and frugality and, above all, perseverance! Studying a company before investing in them and being confident in your investments so that you can be immune to market movements and be able to stick to your guns rather than over-speculate. All the while, keeping life as simple as possible. Truly genius.
As someone interested in long-term value ...more
This book has re-awakened my value-minded economist mentality. Warren Buffet really personifies money-consciousness and frugality and, above all, perseverance! Studying a company before investing in them and being confident in your investments so that you can be immune to market movements and be able to stick to your guns rather than over-speculate. All the while, keeping life as simple as possible. Truly genius.
As someone interested in long-term value ...more
This is an uncommonly strong work about Warren Buffett, the 'Oracle of Omaha', the second richest man in the world now. Although Buffett portrays himself as an 'aw shucks', hayseed from the Midwest, he is anything but. He is a disciplined, effective, compassionate, and ethical investor, dedicated to honest and honorable dealings. This is not to say he will not strike favorable deals for his beloved Berkshire-Hathaway, but he will not cheat or defraud you or his stockholders. He will buy good ...more
Warren Buffett has done for long-term investing what Mark Twain did for the novel - make it accessible to all and distinctly American. Lowenstein does a fantastic job of drawing a portrait of a man who, even in his teens, knew he was destined to compound wealth like no one else in history. One of Buffett’s childhood friends recalled when she asked the 12-year-old Buffett why he was always so busy working to make money, he replied “It’s not that I want money. It’s the fun of making money and wat...more
Excellent read on Buffet, really draws out the investor as a person, as a character... One wonders after reading, even if I were as smart as he was, which is unlikely, am I really that obsessed, that devoted, that enamoured of analysing stocks? Then again, when Lowenstein describes how Buffet goes about his work, the dry world of financial analysis suddenly appears like a magical, intellectual challenge, running beside rocky cliffs and sharp tang of sea.
Also a highly educational rea...more
Also a highly educational rea...more
This was a quick and super-enjoyable read. Not only is Buffett a fascinating character study, but I feel I'm slowly learning about investing through reading about how the true experts do it. The book might've run about 100 pages too long, but if you're at all interested in what the hell has gone on and continues to go on with our economy, it's well worth getting through it all.
Keeps the personal details to a minimum, oftentimes as an aside or commentary on his investment life. Still, great book on what makes buffet tick, including both personal and professional idiosyncrasies. Bill Gates' favorite bio of Buffet, the book is rationally researched and written, and hardly ever makes an unnecessary stretch or speculation -- a good thing.
Dear God, this man is incredible. For would-be investors, Buffett offers some practical insights and lessons you will not easily forget: research matters, management matters more, and there's no reason not to take a big bet on something that you trust. But perhaps the more important lesson from this book is for those career hoppers and ne'er-do-wells who remain constantly uncertain what they want to do when they grow up.... Buffett works his tail off at everything he does, with a single-minded f...more
Biografi yang cukup lengkap dalam menggambarkan kisah hidup salah satu orang terkaya di dunia ini. Bahasanya juga ringan. Bagi yang tertarik dalam dunia saham, sebaiknya baca buku ini. Karena menceritakan kisah hidup seorang jenius dan legenda dalam dunia saham
Buffet is a God Among Cockroaches. I only give 3 stars MAX to biographies as a rule. However, this is a fantastic one. Not only does it give color and excitement to the many legendary moments of Buffett's career but it also is well written and takes into account larger historical and financial forces taking place that both influence and become influenced by the Big Stud from Omaha. Buffett's quite an interesting character....on the outside folksy, home spun, Steak and coke drinking genius......more
I've always wondered about this man, and I don't know a stitch about finance - but Lowenstein weaves a wonderful portrait of the private and public man and business-oriented or not, you'll be drawn into this book!
A great biograpy - explains the man, the myth, and his legend. How did he learn about finance? How did he create his own philosophy? Why was it so successful? Explains the challenges of bear markets and how Warren Buffet has made the most of them over more than 40 years of investing. What is quality and real value? How did Buffet maintain a relationship with two women, happily and sanctioned by both? The distance he kept from his kids even when living in the same house with him, the challe...more
Great book, but seriously lacking when compared against "the Snowball", which is more up-to-date and far better researched. I read this twice before "the Snowball" was published.
Quick read; felt like I learned many things about business and investing once finished; probably an overly positive account of his life rather than more objective account
An interesting book. Gives you insight into Buffett’s upbringing and very odd personal life. Not a great deal of insight into his investing style.
Very repititive, he researched a company, he bought it, he fixed it up, he sold it, he found a company, he bought it, he fixed it up, he sold it - i get it
a great biography that helped me fill in the gaps my background research for my series of books "13 Habits that made me Billions"
A truly amazing story. I wanted to know more about the story behind him and his investments and this provided that and much more. I found the various bits about his personal life to be very fascinating. I can't recommend this book enough. If was interesting to see what parts I identified with and which parts I saw as totally opposite. I loved the end where they say he doesn't like "exit strategies" preferring to build lasting relationships instead of accumulating and then cutting ...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers Also Enjoyed
Roger Lowenstein has reported for the Wall Street Journal for more than a decade and is a frequent contributor to The New York Times and The New Republic. He is the author of Buffet: the Making of an American Capitalist
-HarperCollins
More about Roger Lowenstein...
-HarperCollins
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“The modern spirit is a hesitant one. Spontaneity has given way to cautious legalisms, and the age of heroes has been superseded by a cult of specialization. We have no more giants; only obedient ants.”
—
4 people liked it
“Buffett found it 'extraordinary' that academics studied such things. They studied what was measurable, rather than what was meaningful. 'As a friend [Charlie Munger] said, to a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”
—
2 people liked it
More quotes…
