The Complete Financial History of Berkshire Hathaway, Second Edition

A Chronological Analysis of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger's Conglomerate Masterpiece

De: Adam J. Mead

An authoritative company history of Berkshire Hathaway, fully updated to cover the last five years.

Beginning with Berkshire's origins as a struggling textile company, The Complete Financial History of Berkshire Hathaway examines the development of the modern-day conglomerate year-by-year and decade-by-decade, as it transforms into what it is today.

This comprehensive analysis distils over 10,000 pages of research material, including Warren Buffett’s Chairman’s letters, Berkshire Hathaway annual reports and SEC filings, annual meeting transcripts, subsidiary financials, and more. The analysis of each year is supplemented with Buffett’s own commentary, and examines all important acquisitions, investments, and other capital allocation decisions. The appendices contain balance sheets, income statements, statements of cash flows, and key ratios dating back to the 1930s, materials brought together for the first time.

Combining incredible access with insightful analysis from CEO and author Adam J. Mead, this book allows readers to follow the logic, reasoning, and capital allocation decisions made by Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger from the very beginning. Existing Berkshire shareholders and long-time observers will find new information and refreshing analysis, in this masterful reference guide to the decades of financial moves that built the modern-day Berkshire Hathaway.

'A must-read that belongs on the bookshelf of any serious investor'
– Guy Spier, Founder of Aquamarine Capital and author of The Education of a Value Investor

Reseñas de la Crítica

The question must be asked, 'Why another book?' When you read this monumental effort by Adam Mead, the answer will be obvious...read cover to cover, both the uninitiated to Berkshire and its most ardent followers will derive enormous utility and satisfaction from it...I learned so many new and important things about Berkshire and its history. It is my pleasure to encourage you to enjoy this gem. (Chris Bloomstran, CFA, CIO of Semper Augustus)

If you are a value investor, a Berkshire Hathaway, or Warren Buffett fan, this book is the motherlode! The most comprehensive and detailed history of Berkshire Hathaway to date. A must-read that belongs on the bookshelf of any serious investor. (Guy Spier, Founder of Aquamarine Capital and author, The Education of a Value Investor)

Few activities can be more rewarding for any value investor than studying the history and evolution of Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway. Adam has done us all a huge favor with his yeoman efforts in producing this treatise. Since it is chronologically ordered, it is an invaluable reference guide for all things Berkshire. (Mohnish Pabrai, Founder and Managing Partner of the Pabrai Investments Funds)

For students of history, especially the history of Berkshire Hathaway’s early days, Adam Mead’s book is a must read... It contains storied theft of intellectual property, occurring as early as 1789 when a certain Samuel Slater snuck out of England with knowledge of how to build a viable water-powered mill. It is a story of venture capital. “Financial backers in Pawtucket, Rhode Island” (including, none other than notorious financier, Hetty Green, a rich heiress to a new Bedford shipping fortune) provided venture capital funding for Slater’s business. It involves internet-like speedy growth, with 20 Slater-style mills dotting New England within just the first 20 years. Finally, it entails early versions of SPACs, then called “joint-stock corporations,” underwritten by wealthy Boston merchant, Francis Lowell. Adam commences his story with reference to an entrenched dominant nation, in this case England, worried about their loss of global standing to the upstart, United States, through both fair competition and through America’s use of stolen technology. Sound familiar? (Thomas Russo)

With this project, Adam has a done a wonderful job extending the Berkshire Classroom by providing a comprehensive analysis of the rich corporate history and unique entrepreneurial leadership. (Mac Sykes, Gabelli Funds)