The Snowball
by Alice Schroeder · 2008
The authorized biography of Warren Buffett, the making of the world's greatest investor.
Worth reading? Schroeder's Snowball is the definitive Buffett biography: patience, compounding, and character over flash. Long, but the clearest window into how he thinks. Skip it if you only want ticker-level strategy.
| Author | Alice Schroeder |
|---|---|
| Published | 2008 |
| Category | Business & Money |
| Favorite quote | “Life is like a snowball. The important thing is finding wet snow and a really long hill.” |
The Verdict
Schroeder’s Snowball is the definitive Buffett biography: patience, compounding, and character over flash. Long, but the clearest window into how he thinks. Skip it if you only want ticker-level strategy.
investors who want to understand Buffett the person, not just his letters
you've read Berkshire letters and want only the investing math
Book Summary
The authorized biography of Warren Buffett, the making of the world's greatest investor. It earns its place by giving you a clear lens you can apply, not just inspiration. Compounding is the eighth wonder when given time. Temperament beats IQ in investing. The practical move is to read it once, then act on the one idea that maps to your current bottleneck, rereading the whole thing rarely adds more than executing the part you skipped.
Top 5 Lessons from The Snowball
- Compounding is the eighth wonder when given time.
- Temperament beats IQ in investing.
- Reputation and trust are compounding assets too.
- Be greedy when others are fearful.
- Live below your means and let capital work.
Top 2 Quotes from The Snowball
"Life is like a snowball. The important thing is finding wet snow and a really long hill."
Alice Schroeder, The Snowball
"It's only when the tide goes out that you discover who's been swimming naked."
Alice Schroeder, The Snowball
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Snowball worth reading?
Yes, if the description fits you, investors who want to understand Buffett the person, not just his letters. Skip it if you've read Berkshire letters and want only the investing math.
What is the main idea of The Snowball?
Schroeder's Snowball is the definitive Buffett biography: patience, compounding, and character over flash.
Who should read The Snowball?
Investors who want to understand Buffett the person, not just his letters. Skip it if you've read Berkshire letters and want only the investing math.
What will you get out of The Snowball?
A clearer, opinionated take you can act on, plus the sharpest lessons pulled into a short list so you don't have to read the whole book to decide.
Ready to read it?
Get The Snowball on Amazon
