When it comes to timeless wisdom on success, Warren Buffett Recommended Books stands as an icon. Known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” Buffett has amassed a fortune of over $100 billion through his disciplined investment strategies and unparalleled understanding of business. Yet, Buffett attributes much of his success not just to his knack for numbers but to his insatiable appetite for reading.
Buffett spends up to 80% of his day reading and has famously advised, “Read 500 pages a day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest.” While 500 pages may feel ambitious, starting with the books that shaped Buffett’s career is a solid step toward building your own fortune—both financially and intellectually. Below are seven books Warren Buffett swears by, along with actionable insights to transform your business and life.
1. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
If you could only read one book on investing, Buffett would tell you to read The Intelligent Investor. Written by Benjamin Graham, Buffett’s mentor at Columbia University, this book lays the foundation of value investing—a method focused on identifying undervalued stocks with long-term potential.
Buffett picked up this book as a young man, and it changed his life. Graham’s concept of a “margin of safety,” which encourages investors to buy securities below their intrinsic value, became a cornerstone of Buffett’s philosophy.
Key Takeaway: Ignore the daily noise of stock prices. Instead, focus on a company’s intrinsic value and invest with a long-term mindset.
2. Security Analysis by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd
This heavyweight book is another masterpiece by Benjamin Graham, co-written with David Dodd. While The Intelligent Investor provides the broad principles of value investing, Security Analysis dives deeper into the technical aspects of evaluating stocks and bonds. Buffett studied this book rigorously during his early career, crediting it with giving him the tools to build his analytical framework.
Buffett described Security Analysis as a book that taught him how to think about markets and valuations more deeply than anything else.
Key Takeaway: Master the art of analyzing financial statements to identify opportunities others miss.
3. Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits by Philip Fisher
Buffett once said he was “85% Benjamin Graham and 15% Philip Fisher.” While Graham’s methods are rooted in hard numbers, Fisher focuses on the qualitative aspects of investing, such as the quality of management, innovation, and customer relationships.
Fisher’s famous “15 Points to Look for in a Common Stock” provides a checklist for identifying companies with exceptional growth potential. This book taught Buffett to combine the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis.
Key Takeaway: Look beyond financial metrics. Evaluate a company’s leadership, market position, and long-term growth strategy.
4. Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Charlie Munger
No list of Buffett’s favorite books would be complete without one from Charlie Munger, Buffett’s business partner and Berkshire Hathaway’s vice chairman. Poor Charlie’s Almanack is a collection of Munger’s speeches, essays, and wisdom, all emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary thinking.
Munger’s concept of “mental models”—a latticework of frameworks drawn from various disciplines—helped Buffett refine his decision-making process. The book is also packed with humor, making it a surprisingly enjoyable read for such a profound resource.
Key Takeaway: Develop a broad base of knowledge across multiple disciplines to enhance your critical thinking and decision-making.
5. Business Adventures by John Brooks
Buffett once recommended this book to Bill Gates, calling it “the best business book I’ve ever read.” Business Adventuresis a collection of 12 real-world case studies, ranging from Ford’s infamous Edsel failure to Xerox’s meteoric rise.
What sets this book apart is its storytelling. Rather than presenting dry lessons, Brooks brings each case study to life with rich narrative detail, making it an engaging way to understand the timeless principles of business success and failure.
Key Takeaway: Success in business often hinges on fundamentals—strong leadership, adaptability, and a clear strategy—regardless of the era.
6. The Essays of Warren Buffett by Warren Buffett and Lawrence Cunningham
If you’ve ever wanted direct access to Warren Buffett’s Warren Buffett recommended books thoughts, this is the book for you. The Essays of Warren Buffett compiles his annual letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, covering topics such as corporate governance, investment strategies, and leadership.
Buffett’s writing is refreshingly simple, proving that profound ideas don’t need to be complicated. This book is as much a manual for running a successful business as it is a guide to thinking clearly and ethically.
Key Takeaway: Focus on simplicity, transparency, and long-term value in every decision you make.
7. The Outsiders by William N. Thorndike
This book highlights eight unconventional CEOs who achieved extraordinary results by thinking differently. Among the featured leaders is Tom Murphy, one of Buffett’s favorite businesspeople.
What Buffett loves about The Outsiders is its focus on capital allocation—a skill he considers the most critical for any CEO. The book emphasizes the importance of ignoring Wall Street’s short-term expectations and prioritizing long-term value creation.
Key Takeaway: Exceptional leaders think independently and prioritize sustainable growth over immediate profits.
Why These Books Matter
Warren Buffett’s must-read books reading list isn’t just about learning to invest; it’s about developing a mindset. Each of these books provides unique insights into areas like financial discipline, strategic thinking, leadership, and personal growth. Together, they offer a holistic approach to achieving success, whether in business or life.
Moreover, these books emphasize principles that stand the test of time. In an era where information overload and short-term thinking dominate, Buffett’s recommendations remind us of the enduring value of patience, diligence, and continuous learning.
How to Start Your Buffett-Inspired Reading Journey
Feeling overwhelmed by the idea of reading all these books? Here’s how to make it manageable:
- Start Small: Begin with The Intelligent Investor or The Essays of Warren Buffett. These are foundational and relatively straightforward reads.
- Take Notes: As Warren Buffett’s must-read books do, jot down your key takeaways and reflect on how they apply to your own life and career.
- Apply What You Learn: Knowledge without action is wasted. Identify practical ways to incorporate insights into your daily decisions.
- Commit to Continuous Learning: Make reading a habit, even if it’s just 10 pages a day. Over time, your knowledge will compound.
The Buffett Way: Invest in Yourself
Warren Buffett Recommended Books didn’t become a legend overnight. His success is the result of decades of learning, patience, and disciplined decision-making. By diving into his recommended books, you’re not just gaining knowledge; you’re stepping into a mindset that values long-term thinking and continuous growth.
Remember, the best investment you can make is in yourself. As Buffett said, “Anything you invest in yourself, you get back tenfold.” So, pick up one of these timeless gems and start transforming your business and life today.
Which book will you read first? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
