Poor Charlie’s Almanack: The Essential Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger

This book is packed with insight. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but Poor Charlie’s Almanack turned out to be one of the most valuable reads I’ve picked up in a long time. Charlie Munger’s way of thinking is so refreshingly straightforward and smart. It really made me rethink how I approach decisions in everyday life. It’s full of great life lessons, funny stories, and real talk about business, investing, and just being a better thinker overall. It’s not a “quick” read, but it’s totally worth it. I found myself underlining a ton and going back to reread parts. If you’re curious, open-minded, and want to get better at thinking clearly (without the fluff), this one’s for you. Highly recommend!

This book is chock full of great advice from Charlie! I love the way he thinks, and in these speeches he explains his own thought processes in his own words. His speeches are also very entertaining, fully of witty sayings and amusing anecdotes.

Although there are worthwhile take aways from this book, I feel that each talk is a somewhat redundant attack on academia written out in often rambling fashion. I haven’t decided yet if it’s a difficult read or just uninteresting. I’d hate to be critical of someone I admire as much as I do Charlie Munger, but I’m not sure turning these specific speeches was the best showcase of his wisdoms. Still, 4 stars because there are some meaningful take aways for people that are interested in teaching themselves about the world.

Exposure to the casual wit and extensive wisdom of Charlie Munger primed me to grab the book and try to absorb a bit more. The wit doesn't translate as well to paper as a long life's worth of wisdom does. The book is structured with an opening section that shares a lot of the life background that prepared Charlie Munger for his future. Starting in post-depression Nebraska working in the Buffet store, then on to law school and much more, the story builds through the early association with Warren Buffet, and the broad learning paths through independent learning and a voracious appetite for knowledge. That appetite for knowledge is an enduring theme throughout the book and his life. Hw worked hard to impart that same love of broad learning and wisdom to family, friends, business associates and students along the way. The lessons and the delivery are both top tier. The rest of the book is a series of descriptions of lectures Charlie gave later in life primarily at various learning institutions. Primarily law and business schools it seems, but a couple others thrown in too. The common theme is to always be open to learnings from outside your focus discipline, and integrate all those outside learnings to build a broad base to continuously build on. I'm 20+ years Charlie's junior, and can see where the guidance he shares would have made my early career a bit smoother. That said, I think it would be great for people to read and learn from Charlie starting early, then re-read at life intervals that allow one's own life experiences and situations to benefit from regular course-corrections based on the ideas shared in the book. I know too many youngsters who have attention focus based on continuous screen movement and action; few may initially appreciate the pleasure of reading a good book like this. But a read in mid-teens, and again as major decision points arise, would help most people tremendously. Some of us have had the great fortune to have mentors along the way. Even if you already have that, adding another lesson or twelve from Charlie can only benefit. Yes, I highly recommend this book. It should almost be essential reading from those stepping up to and stepping through their lives and careers. It's that good.

This isn’t light reading—it’s dense, smart, and absolutely packed with life and business wisdom. A mix of essays, speeches, and commentary that makes you want to slow down and take notes. If you’re into investing, rational thinking, or just leveling up your brain, this is a classic. A bookshelf essential.

Wit and wisdom is a very accurate description. Charlie was Warren Buffett's cohort at Berkshire Hathaway. This collection is worth reading to your kids.

The book gives you access to the wisdom of a very successful man, Charlie Munger. He attempts to bridge academic education with practical knowledge in this thought-provoking read. I am not the same person that I was, prior to reading it. Definitely worth it!

Was very excited to read this book after hearing so much about it. Now that I have, a bit of a disappointment. For sure there is a lot of good wisdom here don't get me wrong. But hindsight is 20/20, and to me, Charlie has an easy advantage of bosting about his techniques. He does however admit luck is a factor. Its a bit why I skip most books about the "greatest generation". If you take away anything from this book, it should be play the long game when it comes to investing, and invest in what you know. If your a seasoned investor or employed in the industry, you'll probably find this book more interesting.

Great

It took me more time than usual to read this whole book, mainly because I had to stop, reflect and take so many notes on the wise pieces of advise shared by Charlie. The text format is very user friendly , it seems as we're having a fireside chat. And he gives so many good examples from a long and eventful life One of the best books I've read in a long while , definitely buying the paperback version for reading again in the future.

Excellent and inspiring. Not just to people interested in investment but to anyone interested in human nature and ethics.

molto bello, ma difficile.

The book contains some useful advice on reducing cognitive biases before and when making important decisions, as well as Munger's own philosophy in what's a life worth living. A lot of the stuff in the first part of the book lays down the framework and skeleton in the motivation and know-how on making better decisions and that comes a lot from doing a lot of homework, which presumably many would not even have time and motivation to do. But that's exactly what differentiates ... like you have munger / Buffett and all the other investors ...