As a book club read 19 minutes was:
A very easy (almost unintelligent) read. It would be fine if you needed a pop-culture type book after finishing some deep and hard reading. But, to be honest, if you have a book club that is remotely intelligent or dedicated to reading I doubt this would peak their interest much. It's more bubble-gum fiction with a focus on bloated and unrealistic character motives and actions.
The Snowball, (Warren Buffett memoir) will be released on September 29th, 2008. Pre-order and a price guarantee are available at Amazon now!
Although the media track him constantly, Buffett himself has never told his full life story. His reality is private, especially by celebrity standards. Indeed, while the homespun persona that the public sees is true as far as it goes, it goes only so far. Warren Buffett is an array of paradoxes. He set out to prove that nice guys can finish first. Over the years he treated his investors as partners, acted as their steward, and championed honesty as an investor, CEO, board member, essayist, and speaker. At the same time he became the world’s richest man, all from the modest Omaha headquarters of his company Berkshire Hathaway. None of this fits the term “simple.”
When Alice Schroeder met Warren Buffett she was an insurance industry analyst and a gifted writer known for her keen perception and business acumen. Her writings on finance impressed him, and as she came to know him she realized that while much had been written on the subject of his investing style, no one had moved beyond that to explore his larger philosophy, which is bound up in a complex personality and the details of his life. Out of this came his decision to cooperate with her on the book about himself that he would never write.
Never before has Buffett spent countless hours responding to a writer’s questions, talking, giving complete access to his wife, children, friends, and business associates—opening his files, recalling his childhood. It was an act of courage, as The Snowball makes immensely clear. Being human, his own life, like most lives, has been a mix of strengths and frailties. Yet notable though his wealth may be, Buffett’s legacy will not be his ranking on the scorecard of wealth; it will be his principles and ideas that have enriched people’s lives. This book tells you why Warren Buffett is the most fascinating American success story of our time.
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I don't do book reviews.
I don't really do much research. I just say what comes form my heart and based on what little I know. I'm not the best read person, nor do I have the most eloquent praise. I do however have a personality and that's what I'm bringing to the table.
Are ebooks any good? I don't know. I just love books. I like turning the pages while soaking in a warm bath. I like being quiet and then surprised when hours have slipped away.
I've never heard an ebook though. Maybe I'm missing out? I don't think so, but maybe. Anyhow, I cam across this 'deal' at ebooks.com and thought I'd share it. I'm always up for saving a buck or two. Besides, the prices of ebooks seem to be WAY cheaper, so if you're on a budget...
This is one of those books that I had trouble getting into. I almost put it down. I tried really hard not to give up and thank-freaking-god, I didn't. Overall, a pretty wicked book, worth picking up.
It's not the characters on this one. It's the story line with the history lesson base. You never actually feel emotionally close to the characters. It's just so cool to read about Valparaîso, Chile and California during the Gold Rush of 1849. Life was tough back then. It's a nice piece that explores a barbaric time in history.