The Complete Financial History of Berkshire Hathaway: A Chronological Analysis - Adam J. Mead

[LongHaul]

"The Complete Financial History of Berkshire Hathaway: A Chronological Analysis of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger's Conglomerate Masterpiece "

Hardcover Available – April 13, 2021

 

An Excellent book that I would highly recommend if one is interested in the financial history of Berkshire Hathaway.  The author does a wonderful job of financial analysis of Berkshire starting with the early textile mills up to the present day.  The acquisition prices are shown of businesses, decade by decade financial statements and much more. 

 

I learned much from reading the book and it allowed me to have a better understanding of what Buffett and Munger did to create Berkshire. 

In summary - I would highly recommend reading to it to learn.

 

FYI: I received a free early version of this book.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0857199129/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0857199129&linkCode=as2&tag=theoraclescla-20&linkId=7d65cfc92d673e3f5aee8e1483b3564e

 

[John Hjorth]

... FYI: I received a free early version of this book. ...

 

LongHaul,

 

To me, you're a lucky guy! I preordered this book on March 2^nd 2021 via saxo.com. I can't wait to lay my hands on it!

[dwy000]

... FYI: I received a free early version of this book. ...

 

LongHaul,

 

To me, you're a lucky guy! I preordered this book on March 2^nd 2021 via saxo.com. I can't wait to lay my hands on it!

 

John - can you follow up with your thoughts once you get it?  I want to get it but generally like to see multiple positives before pulling the trigger.

[Jurgis]

The book is written by someone who posts on CoBF - and at least some of you may know him.  8)

[John Hjorth]

dwy000,

 

I will! [ : - ) ] Here is a tweet by Mr. Bloomstran containing a recommendation of the book. Please also note the nice words by Mr. Russo, Mr. Pabrai, Mr. Gabelli & Mr. Sykes!  [ : - ) ]

 

- - - o 0 o - - -

 

Now that Jurgis also posted that the book is written by a CoBF member I've become even more curious!

[John Hjorth]

Here is a podcast interview with Adam Mead about the book :

Validea Guru Investor Blog [April 1st 2021] : The History of Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett with Adam Mead (Ep. 80) .

It's pretty evident from the interview, that Adam is extremely well wandered in Berkshire, and that his Twitter handle BRK_Student dresses him well! [ : - ) ]

Edited April 5, 2021 by John Hjorth

[ValueMaven]

what value add does this book bring that all of the other published books on Berkshire havent?  

I'd rather see Snowball updated!!

Edited April 9, 2021 by ValueMaven

[John Hjorth]

ValueMaven,

You'll likely get some feedback in this topic, when the CoBF members, who have ordered the book, will post their experience while reading this book.

- - - o 0 o - - -

NB : -& personally honestly [& likely very biased] : Snowball up where the sun doesn't shine! - I simply hate that book!

[LongHaul]

Snowball does a wonderful job on many qualitative aspects.     Many of the quantitative aspects of Berkshire she left out or just got wrong which is in this book.

[Morgan]

I’m interested in the reviews as well. It’s a little expensive to buy with limited info. Although at 750 pages, it’s likely to be filled with a lot of good info. 

[John Hjorth]

The book landed here at me yesterday morning. Pretty amazing how great word wide logistics is working nowadays! - From what I've read in the Twittosphere, that's one day later than in the US.! [I'm a Northern European citizen [Denmark]].

- - - o 0 o - - -

It immedially jumped Kilpatricks "Of Permanent Value - 2020 Elephant Edition" [the green edition] on the small table between the TV-chairs of ours! - I got some "snake eyes" from the Lady of The House for doing that - ... to which I responded : "I can't really judge if this is a horny two-days-old, or "the green one" is a really "yacky" phedophile!". Response [again] : More snake eyes!

- - - o 0 o - - -

I've started reading it - really seriously! -With "seriously" I mean : Every spare moment I have, I grab the book and continue reading, and so far, I'm turned on! -I passed out last night in the bed with the book! I'm already sure this book is very different than other recent books about Berkshire, however it will take some time "to take it in" and digest it! - It's really a "brick"!

More to come here from me!

Edited April 16, 2021 by John Hjorth

[ValueMaven]

Thanks John.  Any more updates?  I'm still on the fence.  

[Fundmanagerthrwawy]

On 3/5/2021 at 8:16 PM, Jurgis said:

The book is written by someone who posts on CoBF - and at least some of you may know him. 

Do you know what Adams cobf username is?

Thanks.

[John Hjorth]

@Fundmanagerthrwawy,

 

Adam is posting here on CoBF using the username @TREVNI.

Edited October 30, 2021 by John Hjorth

[Fundmanagerthrwawy]

21 hours ago, John Hjorth said:

@Fundmanagerthrwawy,

 

Adam is posting here on CoBF using the username @TREVNI.

I'll give him a follow, thanks

[TREVNI]

On 10/30/2021 at 5:50 PM, Fundmanagerthrwawy said:

I'll give him a follow, thanks

 

@Fundmanagerthrwawy I'm not super active on here. A post here and there, some lurking around. But I'm always happy to answer any questions. I'm much more active on Twitter. @BRK_Student

[Fundmanagerthrwawy]

1 hour ago, TREVNI said:

 

@Fundmanagerthrwawy I'm not super active on here. A post here and there, some lurking around. But I'm always happy to answer any questions. I'm much more active on Twitter. @BRK_Student

No worries, I must say I loved the book. I tend to stay away from twitter seems very 'toxic' and I'm also not sure how to use it haha. But I'll give you a follow any way.

Regards

[rkbabang]

3 hours ago, TREVNI said:

 

@Fundmanagerthrwawy I'm not super active on here. A post here and there, some lurking around. But I'm always happy to answer any questions. I'm much more active on Twitter. @BRK_Student

 

 

I wanted to also say I loved the book.  I finally got around to reading it this summer.  It was nice to read an in-depth history of just Berkshire the company without all the Buffet personal life stories you get in books like Snowball.

[Stuart D]

Has anyone listened to the audio version yet? I'm tossing up which version to buy.

 

I'd prefer to listen to it whilst driving to work, but I find some of the more quantitative/technical books e.g. Security Analysis, are easier to digest in a physical book format.

[flesh]

11 hours ago, Stuart D said:

Has anyone listened to the audio version yet? I'm tossing up which version to buy.

 

I'd prefer to listen to it whilst driving to work, but I find some of the more quantitative/technical books e.g. Security Analysis, are easier to digest in a physical book format.

yes is it good for audio?

[MattR]

11 hours ago, Stuart D said:

Has anyone listened to the audio version yet? I'm tossing up which version to buy.

 

I'd prefer to listen to it whilst driving to work, but I find some of the more quantitative/technical books e.g. Security Analysis, are easier to digest in a physical book format.

Yeah it has a lot of financials on it, I don't think it will be a great listen.

[Stuart D]

On 1/4/2022 at 12:41 AM, MattR said:

Yeah it has a lot of financials on it, I don't think it will be a great listen.

Thanks @MattR - much appreciated.

[Morgan]

I just ordered the book. I'm looking forward to reading it! 

[ElstonG]

Just to add to the chorus: this book is fantastic. It's really enjoyable to go year by year with Buffett and Berkshire, and as a relative novice I learned a ton about accounting and general business principles. 700+ pages and I could've read many more.

[Spooky]

Started reading this book and have been really enjoying it so far. Very informative and clearly written, having a hard time putting it down.