<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: I wouldn't buy this
Review: Although I believe that Warren Buffett is the most interesting investor of our time, those seeking insight into his methods or are well advised to look elsewhere. This book is nothing more than a collection of short anecdotes about specific times in Mr. Buffett's life; the possible implication is that by understanding these stories, you'll understand the man, and perhaps be able to invest like him. If that is what you want, start with The Intelligent Investor, or, if more enterprising, Security Analysis. If you want to understand the man, this may be a good place to start, but I find the author's style made me feel like I was reading newspaper articles, rather than a more fluid prose. I'd be happy to sell you mine if you want it.
Rating: 
Summary: We all know Warren Buffett is the greatest investor.
Review: I have tremendous respect and admiration for history's greatest investor. Andrew Kilpatrick chose a different style, short chapters of other people telling stories of Warren, and not a dry traditional biograpghy. Mr. Kilpatrick did his homework on this story, but I was annoyed at the length of this biography. Yes, there was some humor and interesting insights in to Warren's life, but I got the picture about half way through the book. That picture is simple, Warren Buffett is the best.
Rating: 
Summary: Kilpatrick needs an editor
Review: If an editor took out all the repetitious, irrelevant waste from this book, it would only be 200 pages. There are much better books about Buffett and BRK, and the annual reports are fabulous, but this book is a waste of time. It is poorly written and badly organized. It is as if he had written 100 short newspaper articles, and strung them together into a book about himself and his own relationship with BRK. He is obviously a nice man, and I am sorry he has not written a better book.
Rating: 
Summary: Berkshire Hathaway a company with perpetual growth model
Review: Mathematically nothing can grow forever but Berkshire at least seems that way. And that is exactly what the Oracle of Omaha has created. A business model that few understand. It took me several years to understand this empire moulded and nurtured by few honest men with Warren Buffett at the helm. This book is part of my library because it gives all the details one would like to know about the company and the man who runs it. The Oracle is as honest as history of business has ever known. This book is a gem and must be in every library of every business school on this planet and everyone who wants to know about Berkshire and Warren Buffett.
Rating:
Summary: If you are interested in Warren Buffett this is a good read!
Review: Mr. Kilpatrick goes into great detail on the life of Warren Buffett and his investment career. Starts from the beginning (Buffett Partnership) and goes up until approx. 1996. Has numerous stories of Berkshire Hathaway shareholders and the people who, in one way or another, had an impact on Berkshire Hathaway. Hope he writes another book like this one on Mr. Munger!
Rating:
Summary: Hero worship.
Review: The other biography of Buffett is by Lowenstein and is far superior to this disorganized, fawning, but very detailed work. The flattery of Buffett gets so thick in this book it's sickening. Some of the other reviewers have done a good job of describing the other problems with the book so I won't go into detail. It does have its strengths -- exhaustive detail and excellent sources -- the guy did serious amounts of research. My suggestion: by all means read this if you are an "intelligent investor" (but use a library copy). If you want to buy a book on Buffett, get Lowenstein.
Rating:
Summary: For "Berk-Heads" Only
Review: This is a relatively well-written book, telling the story of Warren Buffett in great detail. Let me emphasize this last part by repeating it: it tells the story of Warren Buffett _in great detail_. Author Andrew Kilpatrick has tackled his subject with the dedication of a stalker. Throughout _Of Permanent Value_ readers will be told, not just how WEB has accumalated a mind-boggling fortune, but also how well he tips (or doesn't), who his favorite philosopher is and what type of car he drives. You'll learn of the different groups of Buffett fans, the relatives of Buffett, the foundation that will spread around his wealth after he's no longer tap-dancing to work. And you'll read accounts of (random) people who saw Buffett in China, who taught or went out with him when he was younger, and so on and so on ad infinitum. As such, the book is primarily for those who want to know more about who Warren Buffett the person is, than about how one can be more like him financially. To those, then, who want to know how to invest like Buffett I do not recommend you read this book--at least not until after you've read the other, better books on this subject. These are _The Warren Buffett Way_ (my favorite), _The Making of an American Capitalist_, and _How to Pick Stocks Like Warren Buffett_. If you, however, _do_ want to know much more about Buffett than the average person, this book can not be recommended highly enough. Everything has been written down in the pages of this book--the only thing that wasn't discussed was whether Buffett wears boxers or briefs. (I'm sure Kilpatrick's saving this one for the next, revised edition however.)
<< 1 >>
| 
