Damn Right!: Behind the Scenes with Berkshire Hathaway Billionaire Charlie Munger

Splendid research and writing as usual from Janet Lowe gives sharp glimpses of Charlie Munger. A foreword from Warren Buffett, Munger's alter business ego, and an endorsement from Lawrence Cunnignham, compiler of The Essays of Warren Buffett based on the Cardozo conference where Munger spoke and quoted here, led me to buy and read it. Lowe/Munger/Buffett/Cunningham--well worthwhile.

Janet Lowe wrote an excellent biography of Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett's longtime friend and partner. Ms. Lowe indeed had a wonderful subject. What a rich (not just financially) and colorful life Mr. Munger had and continues to enjoy.What he accomplished in law alone(being a founding partner in a prominent Los Angeles firm) would have made a satisfying career for most, but Mr. Munger was driven to become wealthy. To achieve this goal he turned to investing, first real estate, then equities,and along the way we learn how he met Mr. Buffett.To say Mr. Munger was sucessful in achieving this goal is an incredible understatement. But despite his financial success, and his acknowledged positive influence on Mr. Buffett, in moving him to pay up for a truely wonderful business, his raising and educating eight children,his numerous charitable contributions both financially and in personal effort, his greatest achievement is to be a teacher not only of how to think about investing but of how to conduct yourself during lifes twists and turns.

Without a doubt, Lowe has written an extremely interesting biography of Charles Munger, vice-chairman of Berkshire Hathaway. We learn about Charlie's background, his family (maybe a little too much about his family), and how he eventually met up with a gentleman named Warren Buffett (maybe you've heard of this guy, eh?).From a purely biographical standpoint, you'll want to read this book. Gives much insight into Charlie's personal character as well as some insight into Buffett's character.What I think the book misses on is investment technique. Granted, that's not how the book is advertised...it is a biography. But, I was hoping to get some better insight into the Munger/Buffett investment style. I was hoping the author would--at least--tease me a bit. No such luck.It's an enjoyable read.

For those of us who are fascinated by Warren Buffett and his amazingly successful company, Berkshire Hathaway, there are a number of very satisfying reads. But there's always been a big part of the story that remained mostly in shadow: Charlie Munger. Munger has long been Buffett's partner, and over the years Buffett has credited Munger with teaching him a lot. But most of us were left to wonder what Munger is like and to glean small snippets about him wherever we could. Enter Janet Lowe's new book. It covers Munger's life and character as well as his professional career and is greatly entertaining, informative, and inspiring. It won't be a surprise to Buffett fans to discover that Munger also is a man of great integrity. If you've ever yearned to learn more about Charlie Munger, this book is for you.

Mr. Charlie Munger, Vice-Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, is the partner/sidekick of Mr. Warren Buffett and is considered the man behind the scenes at Berkshire Hathaway. Charlie is a very entertaining guy, and this book shows why Warren Buffett calls him "one of a kind." Janet Lowe provides readers with an in-depth look at the full and interesting life of Mr. Munger. Many useful lessons on life and investing can be uncovered by a thorough reading of this excellent book. The book also includes two excellent speeches by Mr. Munger in the appendix: Multidisciplinary Skills: Educational Implications and Practical Thought about Practical Thought?