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The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life | 
| Author: Alice Schroeder
Publisher: Bantam
Category: Book
List Price: $35.00
Buy New: $19.65
You Save: $15.35 (44%)
New (63) Used (12) Collectible (8) from $19.65
Rating:  103 reviews
Sales Rank: 29
Format: Roughcut
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 976
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.7
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.7 x 2.2
ISBN: 0553805096
Dewey Decimal Number: 332.6092
EAN: 9780553805093
ASIN: 0553805096
Publication Date: September 29, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new item. Over 3.5 million customers served. Order now. Selling online since 1995. Order with confidence. Code: A20081204114439W
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Product Description
Here is THE book recounting the life and times of one of the most respected men in the world, Warren Buffett. The legendary Omaha investor has never written a memoir, but now he has allowed one writer, Alice Schroeder, unprecedented access to explore directly with him and with those closest to him his work, opinions, struggles, triumphs, follies, and wisdom. The result is the personally revealing and complete biography of the man known everywhere as “The Oracle of Omaha.”
Although the media track him constantly, Buffett himself has never told his full life story. His reality is private, especially by celebrity standards. Indeed, while the homespun persona that the public sees is true as far as it goes, it goes only so far. Warren Buffett is an array of paradoxes. He set out to prove that nice guys can finish first. Over the years he treated his investors as partners, acted as their steward, and championed honesty as an investor, CEO, board member, essayist, and speaker. At the same time he became the world’s richest man, all from the modest Omaha headquarters of his company Berkshire Hathaway. None of this fits the term “simple.”
When Alice Schroeder met Warren Buffett she was an insurance industry analyst and a gifted writer known for her keen perception and business acumen. Her writings on finance impressed him, and as she came to know him she realized that while much had been written on the subject of his investing style, no one had moved beyond that to explore his larger philosophy, which is bound up in a complex personality and the details of his life. Out of this came his decision to cooperate with her on the book about himself that he would never write.
Never before has Buffett spent countless hours responding to a writer’s questions, talking, giving complete access to his wife, children, friends, and business associates—opening his files, recalling his childhood. It was an act of courage, as The Snowball makes immensely clear. Being human, his own life, like most lives, has been a mix of strengths and frailties. Yet notable though his wealth may be, Buffett’s legacy will not be his ranking on the scorecard of wealth; it will be his principles and ideas that have enriched people’s lives. This book tells you why Warren Buffett is the most fascinating American success story of our time.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 98 more reviews...
 A Beautiful Mind December 5, 2008
After reading this wonderful biography, I want to thank Mr. Buffett for allowing the story of his life to be told, warts and all, and Alice Schroeder for doing such a great job in writing this book. I finished reading The Snowball, Warren Buffett and the Business of Life a few days ago and I truly miss not being able to read another chapter of Mr. Buffett's life.
There is so much to comment upon in this book and much has already been said. However, what I would like to focus my comments on is the wisdom contained on the pages of this book if it is read in a thoughtful manner. This is not a book that contains an algorithm designed to enrich the reader in buying securities. It is a book about the Business of Life. It is about a highly gifted man who developed his business skills and work ethic in order to record a superior score on his inter score card.
There are two quotes that come to mind, which demonstrate Mr. Buffett's character and what he stands for. The first was when he was involved in the work-out at Salomon, Inc. after the management had deceived the Treasury Department in connection with trading rules. He said to the employees, "Lose money for the firm, and I will be understanding. Lose a shred of reputation for the firm, and I will be ruthless." (pg. 603)
On another occasion in later life, while commenting on life, he said, "Basically, when you get to my age, you'll really measure your success in life by how many of the people you want to have love you actually do love you.
I know people who have a lot of money, and they get testimonial dinners and they get hospital wings named after them. But the truth is that nobody in the world loves them. If you get to my age in life and nobody thinks well of you, I don't care how big your bank account is, your life is a disaster.
That's the ultimate test of how you have lived your life. The trouble with love is that you can't buy it. You can buy sex. You can buy testimonial dinners. You can buy pamphlets that say how wonderful you are. But the only way to get love is to be lovable. It's very irritating if you have a lot of money. You'd like to think you could write a check. I'll buy a million dollars' worth of love. But it doesn't work that way. The more you give love away, the more you get." (pg. 761)
The Snowball is replete with nuggets of wisdom from not only Warren Buffett, but also Charlie Munger. I highly recommend that you read this book.
An Oracle about the Oracle of Omaha December 4, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Alice Schroeder has written a classic that will be the definitive work in revealing the life and character of a very complex man. Not just for students of investment, this book is motivating and inspirational for students of life.
Most books written about Warren Buffett explain how he amassed such wealth; primarily writing about business relationships. Alice Schroeder has uncovered many personal details previously not known, which answers the "why" in many of Buffett's actions.
Although the book is extensive, it was necessary to encompass such a large scope. Alice Shroeder's writing is relaxed and communicates clearly making this book a pleasure to read.
After reading The Snowball, I am surprised to know why Buffett wants to leave one of the largest legacies in the history of mankind. I am truly inspired by his actions and am in awe of his character. He is an incredible example of a life well lived.
Fabulous insight into a very interesting man. December 3, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I'm devouring this enormous book so fast that I'm getting a "Snowball Headache" LOL
His approach to investing is well displayed in the book and fun to watch develop over time as he moves from selling newspapers and used golf balls to become an icon in the world of finance. His life, and the colorful group of people who have been part of his story, make for a great read.
Thank you Alice Schroeder for giving us this glimpse into the man and his methods.
 The Snowball December 3, 2008
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
hile the book is a good read the Kindle edition does not support your ability toview the many footnotes until you get to the end of the book. Kindle dropped the ball on this one by not enabling the ability to do so. The first letter of my first sentence is a W. Kindle does not make provisions for me to go back and make corrections.
An amazingly ordinary man December 3, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book gives insight to debunk any myth that weathly peoples lives are any different. Warren I feel for you, you're just better than everyone at seeing how simple the abstract of making money can be and how complex human relations are, money can never buy the deep richness of a real relationship. When people are real/human, money doesn't matter.
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