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Amazon.co.uk Review
Alice Schroeder’s The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life might well be one of the most important books you will ever read -- particularly in a period when the world's various economies appear to be entering freefall. This arm-straining (at nearly a thousand pages) but utterly fascinating book has already -- against all the odds -- achieved an astonishing level of success, given its initially daunting appearance. But it will only take a chapter or so for most readers to see just why this book is enjoying such an unprecedented level of acclaim.
The subject is the life and career of one of the most revered men in the western hemisphere, Warren Buffett (an advisor to new US President Barack Obama) – despite the fact that his name may not be known to most of the general public. Buffett’s story is one that currently has resonances for all of us: a remarkable financial success story. The name of this investor from Omaha is spoken of with admiration by all who know him, despite the fact that he has never written a book on his career or the secrets of his business success. However, he has been persuaded to allow Alice Schroeder to spend time with him and those with whom he works to investigate his business triumphs, his opinions, his mistakes (Buffett is rather winning in admitting to several of the latter – how common is that in his profession?) -- and what emerges is a totally comprehensive biography of the man known throughout the world as ‘The Oracle of Omaha’.
What is most revealing about the picture of the man that emerges from these pages (and Schroeder had access not just to her subject and his business associates but also his wife, children and friends) is that we meet a man of intellect – of course – but also of humanity and understanding, with a philosphy and worldview that is both judicious and principled. In an era in which those in Buffet’s profession are more prone to excoriation than praise, the man we encounter here has a sane and clear-eyed philosophy of life and an attitude to business success that is generously instructive -- and inspiring. --Barry Forshaw
Customer Reviews:
A Story of a Great Man
This is the life story of the greatest investor, Warren Buffett. To some readers the information may be too much, because the author goes into great details about Mr. Buffett's life. But for those who greatly admire the person, this book finally uncovers the little secrets that were unknown to many before. The author who had full access to Mr. Buffett, his family and friends, was not pressured by any deadline to finish the book, and therefore, she delivered a masterpiece.
- Mariusz Skonieczny, author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market? Learn how to invest your money, how to pick stocks, and how to make money in the stock market
A fabulous read.
It's pretty rare to find a 700-plus page book holding one's interest for it's entire length - but this is such a tome, full of fascinating detail based on meticulous research. Even better is the fact that this latest paperback edition has been brought right up-to-date with a full chapter on the financial turmoil following the collapse of Lehman Bros. in late 2008. For anyone into investment strategy, corporate finance and even general business management this is a must.
I haven't finished reading, but . . .
The book is 800 pages long of smallish print. I've only really gotten a chapter into this book (other priorities have caused me to have to put the book aside for a bit).
Nevertheless, I shall be happy to get back to it when the time comes. 99% of my reading during my life has been non-fiction, and I started this book hoping to pick up pearls of wisdom - mostly about life - but you never know... maybe the odd gem of investment 'knowhow' might also benefit me.
As I begun reading, I groaned a bit, thinking this is a bit like the Thomas Hardy book I read when I was 15: describing the setting, the flowers, the fanfare while I was impatiently wanting to get to the 'punch up' - the point of why I chose to read the book in the first place. But then, once I'd settled into it a bit more, I found myself really enjoying the style. Warren could practically choose anyone on the planet to write this book (simply because he modestly and astutely believes someone else could do a better job of it than he would (... is that 'gem no. 1' do I wonder ?). Anyway, I believe the book is actually written by Alice Schroeder {but I have no doubt that Warren's input would have been extensive}. Warren has known Alice for many years and been very impressed by her, (and I've already formed the notion that Warren is not so easily impressed by superficial blusterings, but rather sees under the surface); and has great trust in Alice.
Anyway, I won't say too much more; the book is written by a gifted, very keenly observant, lucid and empathetic writer. In fact, it's grown on me to the extent that ... (when I get my knighthood, and Nobel prize for services to mankind) and I want to write my own (auto) biography, I will ask Alice to do it for me.
Oh yes; and there's certainly a gem in the last couple of pages of the book (which I'd love to tell you - but with respect to Amazon and the author, I'll just say ... I'm sorry - you'll have to read the book !). Best Wishes, Richard
A dull mounument to the culture of greed 
This is a needlessly overly-long book, which is really very dull. Within its covers Warren Buffett is not presented as a very interesting character. One cannot escape the fact that he has played the financial markets very successfully for nearly 60 years, and has made an obscene amount of money for himself, but this "achievement" does not really deserve a book this long. We learn nothing of the real man, and what he believes in, or thinks about. He comes over as a self-obsessed, greedy bore. What was particualrly annoying was the seeming near holy reverence for all of his "folksy" anecdotes etc. In fact, there is an argument to suggest that he sums up everything that is wrong with the American model of capitalism.
I guess that there may be many potential investors who will read this book thinking that it will given them some unique insight into the investment process. It won't. Save your money and many hours' stupefying reading. The book is too long and not well written, and the book is remotely critical.
The Snowball; Warren Buffett 
Whilst the actual book was in good order, the dustcover was severely torn and had to be removed before the book could be passed on as a present. Altho' sold as "marked" I did not expect the book to arrive in such a bad condition
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Warren Buffett
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Snowball-Warren-Buffett-Business-Life/dp/0747596492/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258270555&sr=8-1. The book is nearly a thousand pages long, and these are not small pages filled with large print! ...
http://tallmanbaby.blogspot.com/2009/11/warren-buffett.html
