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8f2ab37a-ed6cyesterday at 7:08 PM12 repliesview on HN

I always run across great quotes from Warren Buffett, but I never spent any time actually reading any of his writings or anything written about him. What's the best place to start to absorb some of his wisdom? Anything that's applicable to startups, tech, and life in general, beyond being the CEO of a holding company?


Replies

tchallayesterday at 7:11 PM

Start here - The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville

https://business.columbia.edu/cgi-finance/chazen-global-insi...

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xNeilyesterday at 7:11 PM

Not by Buffett, but you'll love Poor Charlie's Alamanack, by Charlie Munger, his lifelong business partner.

https://www.stripe.press/poor-charlies-almanack/cover

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dehrmannyesterday at 7:48 PM

Not to diminish any of his accomplishments, but read his quotes and story as being a product of his time. He famously missed out on a lot of solid tech investments because of his background as a value investor. Value investing doesn't exist the same way it did when Berkshire started making a name for itself. Tech investing also isn't them same as 1997, 2004, or 2010.

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Animatsyesterday at 9:19 PM

"The Intelligent Investor", by Benjamin Graham. He was Buffett's mentor, and contributed to that book. It's straight value investing. Never buy a startup.

There are biographies of Buffett. I read one of them years ago. It goes into great detail about the early deals that got him started. I never did quite understand the deal that moved him into the big leagues, the takeover of GEICO insurance.

edouard-harrisyesterday at 7:34 PM

Somewhat dated (10 years old), but a classic and probably the best single place to get started:

https://www.amazon.com/Essays-Warren-Buffett-Lessons-Corpora...

mayankkaizentoday at 10:09 AM

Read his annual letters to shareholders. Fantastic writings.

Spooky23yesterday at 7:13 PM

His shareholder letters are on the Berkshire website and are excellent.

physiclestoday at 4:16 AM

For his personal background, the history of his companies, and insight into his overall investment philosophy, the Aquired podcast did a three part series on Berkshire Hathaway back in 2021. They also interviewed Charlie Munger just before he passed away. They’re good overviews and enjoyable listens.

jxjnskkzxxhxtoday at 2:24 AM

I downloaded his letters to shareholders to an ebook reader, starting I believe in 1971 or so. Read all of it to the present, about 1500 pages (there's a lot of repetition)

What sticks out the most is what a clear thinker he is.

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andsoitisyesterday at 7:35 PM

Beside the various books he’s written, there’s also his writing on Berkshire Hathaways’ website: https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/

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iancmceachernyesterday at 8:18 PM

Watch YouTube videos of old Berkshire meetings, especially ones with Charlie.

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DontchaKnowityesterday at 7:52 PM

Honestly his ex wifes book about how he reads 10k reports is really good. Cant remember the name.

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