• The Snowball

  • Warren Buffett and the Business of Life
  • By: Alice Schroeder
  • Narrated by: Richard McGonagle
  • Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (594 ratings)

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The Snowball  By  cover art

The Snowball

By: Alice Schroeder
Narrated by: Richard McGonagle
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Publisher's summary

Here is THE book recounting the life and times of one of the most respected men in the world, Warren Buffett. The legendary Omaha investor has never written a memoir, but now he has allowed one writer, Alice Schroeder, unprecedented access to explore directly with him and with those closest to him his work, opinions, struggles, triumphs, follies, and wisdom. The result is the personally revealing and complete biography of the man known everywhere as "The Oracle of Omaha."

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."

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.

©2008 Alice Schroeder (P)2008 Books on Tape

What listeners say about The Snowball

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic!

I debated on getting the 9 hour or 13 hour version but thought.. honestly a 13 hour book on Buffett... could I really listen to a story about him for that long?? Sadly I found that after purchasing the abridged version I wish I had purchased the unabridged version.. the content is fascinating and the narrator is fantastic.

The listener gains a deep understanding about what makes Warren Buffett who he is and provides great insight into what are truly the most important things in our lives from someone who could buy anything he wanted.

Shrewd business saavy, moral commitment and humbleness all combine to make Warren Buffett a unique and fascinating individual.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

wish I had bought the full version

I would have like to listen to the full version of Snowball instead of the abridged version

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great job by Schroeder

Great book, get the full version. Hope in the future they add Buffet's role in the last financial crises.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

really knowledgable

really good peace of art, I like the way the book was writen. one of must-have books in your bookshelf

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A Worthwhile listen

If you could sum up The Snowball in three words, what would they be?

I well done story about an interesting man.

What did you like best about this story?

I listened to the abridged version because I am not a business man and I expected the unabridged version would have been excessivley detailed. This abridged version was just about right for my level of understanding.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I can't sit for that long but it did pull me along quite well.

Any additional comments?

I wish someone had taken the time to explain business to me when I was younger.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Unlike all other Buffet books

This is well narrated, and gives you information about Buffet's personal life that is not in any previous Buffet books. Really interesting!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Simply Fantastic

I was fascinated by with the simple, uncomplicated story of a complicated, lovable multi-billionaire that loves money, loving realtionships, and teaching others.

The book was very well read.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Balanced View

Alice Schroeder has written a wonderful biography of Warren Buffett. This account of his life was more hard hitting than I expected. Schroeder shares the good without fawning and the bad without reservation. Through anecdotes and stories Buffett becomes a flesh and blood character. His private and public lives - they are here.

Well written and well read. Well worth the time.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • M
  • 02-21-23

The book on Warren Buffett

Absolutely amazing book with great narration. Captivating writing with intimate details on key moments in Buffett’s personal and business life.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome life lesson; great story

The philosophy of Warewn is astonishing. Must read if you MUST be wealthy and wise.

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