Synopses & Reviews
From his office in Omaha, Nebraska, without even the benefit of a computer, Warren Buffett has racked up an investment record that far surpasses his counterparts on Wall Street—or anyone else in the world, for that matter. While traditionally stock exchanges have returned about 11 percent annually in the past half century, Buffett's investments have by nearly 29 percent a year, solidifying Buffett's conglomerate holding company, Berkshire Hathaway, as the eighth-largest business in the world and netting him $44 billion along the way.
Despite this tremendous success, the Oracle of Omaha” remains modest. He acknowledges that he has a unique ability to evaluate businesses, but he doesnt feel entitled to the vast wealth that ability has earned him. Instead, he likes to say that he was born at the right place and time. This humility in the face of proven talent and innumerable wealth is part of what makes Buffett universally popular—he is one of the world's wealthiest men and yet he is still personable and relatable.
For the first time, the most thought-provoking and inspiring quotes from Buffett are now compiled in a single book. The Oracle Speaks: Warren Buffett in His Own Words is a comprehensive guidebook to the inner workings of the Berkshire Hathaway chairman. Hundreds of Buffett's best quotes, comprising thoughts on investing, Wall Street, business, politics, taxes, and life lessons, will provide the most intimate and direct look into the mind of a modern business icon and give readers enough counsel to last a lifetime.
Media outlets, financial advisers, politicians, and Americans from Main Street to Wall Street hang on every word Buffett speaks, hoping to gain valuable insight into Buffett's investments and successes. There is possibly no greater stamp of approval in the business world than to have Buffett invest in a company, and few leaders in the course of history have commanded such universally agreed-upon respect. Even beyond his business savvy, Buffett is influential as a progressive thinker and active philanthropist, having pledged to give most of his money to charity through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as well as foundations run by his three children. It is this humility that consistently draws people to Buffett, and will draw people to The Oracle Speaks.
Most recently, inspired by Buffett's New York Times editorial in which he claimed he paid too little in taxes, President Barack Obama and Congress have named a series of tax reforms after Buffett. While the political implications have been controversial, Buffett has retained his reputation as an outspoken and successful business leader. The Oracle Speaks draws from decades of interviews, editorials, and annual shareholder reports, amassing the most complete outline of how Buffett believes a good business is run and a good life is led. It's advice that Buffett has successfully adhered to throughout his 80-plus years, and it is advice now available in the succinct, poignant, gift-friendly package of The Oracle Speaks.
Review
Praise for Agate B2's New York Times Best-Selling Series, IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
"[I, Steve] is the same treatment given such luminaries as Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and Christopher Hitchens and offers Jobs's views on life, death, technology and design, among other topics.” Timothy R. Smith, The Washington Post
"[Impatient Optimist] is like eating salted peanuts: Once you start reading, it's hard to stop." Anne Fisher, CNN Money
"A new book revealing many of Steve Jobs' most illuminating quotes..." Lance Whitney, CNET
"A 160-page collection of quotes from the most iconic product pitchman since P.T. Barnum." Ben Popper, The New York Observer BetaBeat blog
"A much better Jobs product is coming soon. Itll entertain you for hours, and no it is not a Jobs-branded iPad or anything similarly high-tech. It is, friends, an old-fashioned book!" Hillary Reinsberg, Mogulite
"Inspirational reading pleasure." Courtney Boyd Myers, The Next Web
"The kind of book that you read, think about, and then pass on to a friend or colleague...I learned a lot about Jobs thinking process." Allen Stern, CenterNetworks
"[Boy Billionaire] reveals the intimate thoughts and beliefs of the man who has arguably created one of the world's largest companies
and who is also one of the world's greatest social connectors." - Strategy Driven
"A short work to be dipped into for nuggets of business (or law firm) wisdom..." Michael Roach, Law Technology News
About the Author
David Andrews lives outside of Chicago.
Table of Contents
IntroductionChapter 1: Investing
Choosing Investments
The Mind of an Investor
Beating the Market
Long-term Investment
Sticking With a Stock
When to Buy
When Not to Buy
When to Sell
The Stock Market
Splitting Stocks
Uncertainty
Bonds
Commodities
Gold
Cash
Chapter 2: Wall Street and Speculation
Wall Street
Speculation
Bubbles
Leverage
Derivatives
Credit Default Swaps
Chapter 3: Businesses
Evaluating Businesses
Sees Candy
Coca-Cola
Hersheys
The Daily Racing Form
The Walt Disney Company
The Internet
Textiles
Corporate Ethics
Chapter 4: Berkshire Hathaway
Making Decisions
Making Mistakes
Structuring Deals
Selling Businesses
Company Directors
CEO Compensation
Management
Chapter 5: U.S. Policies and Politics
Americas Future
Economic Forecasts
Global Trade
Creating Jobs
Inflation
The 2008 Financial Crisis
Lending after the Financial Crisis
The U.S. Budget and Trade Deficits
U.S. Politics
The Death of Osama Bin Laden
September 11, 2001
China
Barack Obama
Chapter 6: Wealth and Taxes
Wealth
Inheritance
Good Fortune
Taxes
The Buffett Rule”
Chapter 7: Life Lessons
Family
Patience
Belief in Oneself
Working
Qualities for Success
Aging
Philanthropy
Giving to the Gates Foundation
A Fair Society
Milestones
Berkshire Hathaway Holdings
References