38/2009. If all capitalists were like Warren Buffett, the U.S. would have a solid economy and the world would be a better place. This is a bit of a saint's life (and his wife, kids and friends also come off well), but it doesn't seem misplaced and Lowenstein does point up Buffett's later missteps. It also works as a history of U.S. investing (I am right now looking at one of those Andrew Tobias books from the '70s saying cans of tunafish have a better return than the stock market) and a narrative of how judgment turns to sentiment with age, how people get stuck in history and their own history. (BBN, July)

Mr. Lowenstein does a fantastic job making the financial world understandable to people who aren't involved in it. This book did a great job as a biography. I found it a fascinating look into Mr. Buffets life. ( )

I am not a big fan of biographies. They tend to be either praiseworthy to the point of idolatry, or else the written equivalent of a bucket of venom dumped on the subject’s head from a great height.

In Buffet: the Making of an American Capitalist, Lowenstein errs on the side of idolatry, but that’s forgivable since Buffet has become such a idol to independent investors everywhere. His achievements speak for themselves, but what of the man behind the investment genius?

...http://icantstopreading.blogspot.com/2007/11/buffet-portrait-of-american-capitalist.html ( )

Outstanding and enlightening, this biography reveals the influences, trials, tribulations, and successes Mr. Buffett enjoyed and/or endured. His road has not been an easy one and I am not sure his focus and isolation would be enabled now as it was then by those surrounding him. Just reading about his experiences will affect my future investment decisions. Anybody who has an interest in the development of Buffett's career and in developing their investing skills should read this book. I would enjoy a new edition that continues into the 21st century. ( )