3 Brilliant Books Recommended By The Greatest Investor Of All Time

Warren Buffet says that 80% of his workday consists of sitting down and reading. That equates to an obscene 6 hours worth of reading, every single day. Bookworm or what?! When was asked about his secrets to success by a group of University students, he held up a stack of paper and said “read 500 pages a day… that’s how knowledge works. It’s like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do it.” He makes it sound so simple doesn't he!

To say that Warren Buffet knows a thing or two about reading and books is a total understatement, so when he recommends something to read, we should sit up, listen and take his advice.

So, here are 3 Brilliant Books Recommended By The Greatest Investor Of All Time: Warren Buffet…

The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham

The Intelligent Investor is written by ‘the father of value investing’ Benjamin Graham, Warren Buffet’s former mentor. Buffet described the Intelligent Investor as ‘By far the best book on investing ever written’. Who are we to argue with that statement! If Warren Buffet says that about an investing book we should all pay attention.

The book dives deep into the numerous different financial qualities and characteristics which make an ‘the intelligent investor.’ One of the biggest and most important takeaway points from The Intelligent Investor is how important it is to control one’s emotions in moments of chaos, and to have the ability to think independently. It reiterates investing is a game of temperance rather than a game of intelligence, and if you can’t control your emotions, you’ll never be a good investor.

I guarantee after reading it, you’ll be kicking yourself for not doing so earlier. It’s drastically improved me as an investor, and I’m pretty adamant it will improve you as an investor too!

Here are a few quotes from The Intelligent Investor:

“In the short run the market is a voting machine, but in the long run it is a weighing machine.”

“The investor’s chief problem — and even his worst enemy — is likely to be himself.”

“The only thing you can be confident of while forecasting future stock returns is that you will probably turn out to be wrong.”

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

How to Win Friends and Influence People is written by American author and Lecturer, Dale Carnegie. Published way back in 1936, How to Win Friends and Influence People is a practical guide in how to pull yourself out of a mental rut, get other people to like you, and live a more fulfilling life. Despite being written such a long time ago, How to Win Friends and Influence People continues to be a consistent best-seller, and has a sold over 30 million copies world wide.

Warren Buffet has gone on record saying it’s one of the most influential and helpful books he’s ever read. When he was younger, Buffet had some issues fitting in with others and making friends, until he read a copy of How to Win Friends and Influence People, and took a Dale Carnegie speaking course (which he often refers to as the best investment he ever made).

I first read the book a few years ago and it quickly became one of my favourites. I re-read it again last year… and it still remains one of my favourites! It’s the kind of books everyone needs to read since we all have to deal with people in one shape or form, and let’s be honest, we could all do with brushing up on and improving our people skills.

Here are a few quotes from How to Win Friends and Influence People:

“Any fool can criticize, complain, and condemn — and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.”

“When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures bristling with prejudice and motivated by pride and vanity.”

“Don’t be afraid of enemies who attack you. Be afraid of the friends who flatter you.”

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

Shoe Dog is an amazing memoir written by the legendary Founder of Nike, Phil Knight. In Shoe Dog, Phil takes us through the humble beginnings of Nike, from selling shoes out the back of his car at local high school running races, to becoming one of the biggest, most successful and recognisable clothing brands of today.

Warren Buffett first read Shoe Dog in 2016 and said: “The best book I read last year was Shoe Dog by Nike’s Phil Knight… a very wise, intelligent and competitive fellow who is also a gifted storyteller.” Strong words and praise from Mr. Buffet.

From the first page, to the very last, you can feel Knight’s immense passion for the business which he built from literally nothing. I promise you’ll love it, it’s so inspiring!

Here are a few quotes from Shoe Dog:

“The cowards never started and the weak died along the way. That leaves us, ladies and gentlemen. Us.”

“The single easiest way to find out how you feel about someone. Say goodbye.”

“When you see only problems, you’re not seeing clearly.”