Why It Ranks #59
The definitive Buffett biography. Schroeder had unprecedented access and used it to produce a portrait that is far more nuanced and revealing than the folksy Oracle of Omaha persona that Buffett cultivates in public.
The Review
Alice Schroeder's authorized biography of Warren Buffett is the most comprehensive account of the greatest investor who ever lived. The Snowball covers Buffett's childhood obsession with numbers, his apprenticeship under Benjamin Graham, the building of Berkshire Hathaway, and his personal life with a candor that Buffett himself authorized but reportedly regretted. At nearly 1,000 pages, it is exhaustive — and essential for anyone serious about investing.
Key Takeaways
- 1Compounding works in knowledge, relationships, and reputation — not just money
- 2Buffett's real edge is temperament, not intelligence — patience and discipline compound
- 3The inner scorecard versus the outer scorecard: judge yourself by your own standards, not others'
- 4Concentrated bets in your highest-conviction ideas produce better returns than broad diversification
Fun Facts
- •Schroeder was a Morgan Stanley insurance analyst who covered Berkshire Hathaway — Buffett chose her personally
- •Buffett reportedly called the book 'too candid' after publication
- •The title refers to Buffett's metaphor: life is like a snowball — all you need is wet snow and a long hill
Book Details
The Snowball by Alice Schroeder
Pages
976
Goodreads Rating
4.13/5
Copies Sold
1M+
First Published
2008
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