xiiiAcknowledgments
As I began writing this book, it very quickly became evident that
this project would not be possible without the aid of many people.
As this is a book about investing, specifi cally value investing, sub-
stantial credit goes to the late Ben Graham, the educator and prac-
titioner who formulated the fundamental concepts of what is now
commonly referred to as value investing. It was Ben Graham who
taught Warren Buffett, and it was Warren Buffett who sparked my
investment passion as early as high school.
When I was an MBA student at the University of Georgia
(UGA) in 2006, three accomplishments occurred during that year
that I consider akin to winning the Triple Crown. My fi rst victory
came in Omaha, when, after writing a letter to Warren Buffett,
he invited my classmates and me to visit him. Mr. Buffett typically
hosts the students for a morning Q&A session followed by lunch.
However, as luck would have it, we also got to spend over three
hours with Mr. Buffett the night before. Getting two days of face
time with Mr. Buffett was like winning the grand prize. The golfi ng
equivalent would be showing up to play 9 holes with Tiger Woods
and instead playing 36. Thank you, Mr. Buffett.
The visit to Omaha would not have been possible had it not
been for Geoffrey Cole, M.D., whom I met at the University of
Georgia’s Terry College of Business. Jeff is one of the smartest guys
I’ve met and a walking encyclopedia on Warren Buffet. I’m fortu-
nate to have him around to pick his brilliant brain. Thanks, Jeff.flast.indd Sec1:xiiiflast.indd Sec1:xiii 9/2/09 10:59:02 AM9/2/09 10:59:02 AM