Guy Spier, author of The Education of a Value Investor, has shared a number of book recommendations that have helped shape his approach to investing, life, and decision-making. Here are some of the key books he recommends:
1. Investing and Value Investing
The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham – A classic in value investing, Graham’s teachings form the backbone of the discipline and greatly influenced Warren Buffett.
Security Analysis by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd – Another seminal text by Graham and Dodd, focused on evaluating securities for sound investments.
Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits by Philip Fisher – Offers insight into qualitative analysis and long-term growth investing, which Spier appreciates for balancing quantitative approaches.
Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger – A collection of speeches and essays by Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett's business partner, focusing on mental models and multidisciplinary thinking.
The Little Book That Still Beats the Market by Joel Greenblatt – Introduces a simple formula for successful investing, which Spier admires for its clear approach to fundamental analysis.
2. Psychology and Behavioral Finance
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini – Spier emphasizes understanding influence and biases, and Cialdini’s work is foundational in studying the mechanisms of influence.
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman – This book explores the psychology behind decision-making, cognitive biases, and heuristics, critical for understanding investor behavior.
Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb – Offers insight into the role of luck, randomness, and probability in the financial markets.
The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler – Not directly about investing but about cultivating a mindset of contentment, which Spier found valuable for his own happiness and approach to wealth.
3. Philosophy, Wisdom, and Life Guidance
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius – This stoic classic helped Spier in building emotional resilience, patience, and long-term perspective.
The Bhagavad Gita – An ancient Hindu text that Spier finds valuable for its philosophical insights on duty, discipline, and equanimity.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl – The book's exploration of purpose and resilience during suffering resonated with Spier and helped him find deeper meaning in life and investing.
The Tao of Warren Buffett by Mary Buffett and David Clark – A collection of Buffett’s investment wisdom, which Spier appreciates for its simplicity and timeless insight.
4. Autobiographies and Business Stories
The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder – An in-depth biography of Warren Buffett, providing insights into his personal and professional life, values, and approach to investing.
Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. by Ron Chernow – Rockefeller’s story offers lessons on focus, discipline, and long-term vision.
Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis – A humorous and critical look at Wall Street culture in the 1980s, which provides context on the pitfalls of high-finance careers that Spier has aimed to avoid.
These books reflect Spier’s unique blend of value investing knowledge, behavioral insight, and philosophical wisdom, creating a comprehensive reading list for anyone interested in thoughtful, values-driven investing.
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