Charlie Munger: The Complete Investor

Warren Buffett is revered as one of the world’s most successful and talented investors, but his lesser-known partner, Berkshire Hathaway vice chair Charlie Munger, also has wit and wisdom to share. In this debut, Microsoft executive Griffin pays homage to Munger, describing his value-driven investment philosophy. Unfortunately, this well-earned tribute to a respected and accomplished investment sage misses the mark, failing to offer a compelling read either for students of investing in general or fans of Munger in particular. Rather than either writing a biography of Munger the man or developing a more academic treatise on value investing, Griffin toggles between Munger’s principles (as revealed in public statements and interviews) and his own observations about the Munger-Buffett partnership. Munger and Buffett are justly celebrated for their humor and insightful quips, but Griffin relies so heavily on their quotes—sometimes three or four to a page, or presented alongside quotes from other notables—that the salient points are diminished. Persistent readers may learn a great deal about a fascinating and accomplished investment master, but will have to do so in spite of how the book has been organized, rather than because of it. (Sept.)