Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist

Published in 1995, Roger Lowenstein's Buffett remains the best account of Warren Buffett’s investment philosophy and professional history. (Alice Schroeder's biography Snowball was published in 2008 and while it covers more recent events and benefits from Buffett’s cooperation, it focuses slightly more on his personal life.) Lowenstein is an intelligent and economically-literate observer, and his book covers it all: Buffett’s early association with Benjamin Graham, the growth of Buffett's firm Berkshire Hathaway, his partnership with Charlie Munger, and most importantly his investment style and decision-making process. Buffett is not merely one of our great modern investors; he is great philosopher and thinker too. And this is a rare business book that rewards close and multiple readings.