It’s Business Time: A List of Warren Buffett Book Recommendations
Warren Buffett isn’t just known for his business acumen – he’s also, famously, a voracious reader. In various interviews, Buffett has revealed that he often reads around 1000 pages a day (if I could read at even half that speed, I’d no longer be in danger of being crushed under my TBR pile – although to be fair, if I had Buffett’s billions, my TBR pile would probably be a TBR warehouse). Even at the ripe old age of 89, Buffett estimates that he still spends about 80% of each day reading.
As you might imagine from such a prolific reader, Buffett has been happy to dish out book recommendations in the many interviews he’s had over the years. I’ve condensed all of Warren Buffett book recommendations into one list that will point you in the direction of some great books on business. With suggestions that deal with all aspects of business, from the technical aspects of investing to the life stories of famous business leaders, there’s plenty on Buffett’s list to sink your entrepreneurial teeth into.
Business Essentials
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John Bogle
Business Adventures by John Brooks
Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits by Philip Fisher
The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates
Stress Test: Reflections on Financial Crises by Tim Geithner
The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
Security Analysis by Benjamin Graham and David L. Dodd
Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Peter Kaufman
Essays in Persuasion by John Maynard Keynes
Take On The Street by Arthur Levitt
The Most Important Thing Illuminated by Howard Marks
The Outsiders by William Thorndike Jr.
Bonus Books
Here are a few Warren Buffett book recommendations that fall slightly outside of the pure business model, delving into memoir, anecdotes, history and politics.
Nuclear Terrorism by Graham Allison
Firefighting: The Financial Crisis and its Lessons by Ben S. Benanke, Timothy F. Geithner and Henry M. Paulson
Limping on Water by Phil Beuth and KC Schulberg
First A Dream by Jim Clayton and Bill Retherford
“Where Are The Customers’ Yachts?” by Fred Schwed
Jack: Straight from the Gut by Jack Welch
The Making of The President by Theodore White
Buffett’s Books
Buffett doesn’t just read – he’s also written several essays and letters, which have been collated into books.
The Essays of Warren Buffett, edited by Lawrence A. Cunningham
Warren Buffett’s Ground Rules, edited by Jeremy C. Miller
Beyond Buffett: Other Business Books to Read
While Buffett has recommended a large number of books over the years, the majority of them are written by white men. This is perhaps unsurprising, as white men still command a huge amount of privilege in the business world (and the world in general). However, there are many great business books written by women and people of colour that are essential reading for prospective entrepreneurs. Here are a few recommendations:
The One Week Budget by Tiffany Aliche
Secrets of Successful Sales by Alison Edgar
The Multi-Hyphen Method by Emma Gannon
Act Like A Success, Think Like A Success by Steve Harvey
The Wealth Choice by Dennis Kimbro
The Working Woman’s Handbook by Phoebe Lovatt
What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey
If you’re still hungry for book recommendations from business leaders, check out the reading habits of another famous entrepreneur with A Full List of Bill Gates’ Book Recommendations.
And if you’re really keen to dive deep into the world of business, and find the best bookish resources, make sure to sign up to our tailored book recommendation service TBR, where one of our bibliologists can pair you with your perfect business-related reads. Whether you’re looking for ways to start investing, or want to learn about the lives of CEOs, the TBR bibliologists will find the right titles for you.
