Warren Buffett
Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway
Warren Buffett spends most of his working day reading and has said so for decades. His recommendations are few and repeated: he points investors back to his teacher Benjamin Graham, to plain index funds for everyone else, and to the business classic he lent Bill Gates in 1991. These are his picks from the index.
3 books Warren recommends
In Warren's order. Each note is our paraphrase of why they rate it, drawn from their public lists and interviews, not a quote.
The Intelligent Investor
Why Warren rates itBuffett read Graham at nineteen and calls it by far the best book on investing ever written. Chapters 8 and 20, on Mr. Market and the margin of safety, are the ones he says matter most.
Advanced~13hRead the breakdown →
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing
Why Warren rates itIn his shareholder letters Buffett tells non-professionals to own low-cost index funds, the case Bogle makes here, and he credits Bogle with doing more for ordinary investors than almost anyone.
Beginner~6hRead the breakdown →
Business Adventures
Why Warren rates itAsked by Bill Gates for his favourite business book, Buffett mailed over his personal copy of Brooks. Both still name it first.
Intermediate~9hRead the breakdown →Also picked by Bill Gates
More shelves to borrow
Other readers, other shelves.
Angel investor and philosopher of wealth , first-principles books on the mind, evolution, and the good life.
The relentless interviewer , tactics, negotiation, and Stoic fundamentals distilled from hundreds of deep dives.
Buffett's partner and the great evangelist of mental models drawn from every discipline.