Mohnish Pabrai’s Q&A Session with MBA Students at Columbia Business School – March 18, 2021

In this book, Guy Spier narrates his early career struggles in investment banking on Wall Street and his transformation into a value investor. The book covers his experiences working at D.H. Blair, his education at Oxford and Harvard Business School, and the significant influences of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger on his investment philosophy. It also emphasizes the importance of authenticity, continuous learning, and ethical considerations in investing. The book has been translated into several languages and has sold over 175,000 copies in English.

In Richer, Wiser, Happier, William Green draws on interviews conducted over twenty-five years with many of the world’s greatest investors. The book highlights that the most successful investors are mavericks and iconoclasts who question conventional wisdom and think rationally, rigorously, and objectively. They maximize their odds of long-term success in markets and life by drawing insights from diverse fields such as neuroscience, economic history, psychology, philosophy, and more. Green explains how these investors can teach us not only how to become rich but also how to improve our thinking, decision-making, risk assessment, and resilience, and how to turn uncertainty to our advantage.

This memoir tells the story of Willis Johnson, a Vietnam veteran who started with a humble auto dismantling yard and went on to found Copart, the world's largest online auto auction. The book chronicles his journey from humble beginnings to entrepreneurial success, highlighting his innovative spirit and perseverance. Co-authored by Marla J. Pugh, it offers an engaging narrative of Johnson's rise in the auto salvage industry.

In 'Backable,' Suneel Gupta argues that the key to success lies in the ability to persuade others to believe in you. The book outlines a 7-step plan and includes 26 practical pointers for becoming 'backable. ' Gupta draws lessons from hundreds of the world’s biggest thinkers, including producers of Oscar-winning films, members of Congress, military leaders, culinary stars, venture capitalists, and executives from iconic companies like Lego, Method, and Pixar. The book emphasizes the importance of conviction, storytelling, and practice in making your ideas compelling to others.

The Dhandho Investor presents a powerful framework for value investing, drawing from the principles of Benjamin Graham, Warren Buffett, and Charlie Munger. It emphasizes strategies like buying existing businesses at discounted prices, investing in simple industries, and leveraging arbitrage opportunities. The book offers practical advice on achieving high returns with minimal risk through a disciplined investment approach.

In 'One Up On Wall Street,' Peter Lynch explains how average investors can outperform professionals by leveraging their everyday experiences and knowledge. Lynch advocates for investing in companies and products that are familiar and understandable, rather than following trendy or complex investments. He provides easy-to-follow advice on analyzing financial statements, identifying different types of companies (such as cyclical, turnaround, and fast-growing companies), and maintaining a long-term investment strategy. The book emphasizes the importance of simplicity, patience, and fundamental analysis in achieving successful investments.

In 'Beating the Street', Peter Lynch explains his strategies for investing, emphasizing the importance of understanding the companies behind the stocks. He advises investors to focus on what they know, avoid macroeconomic predictions, and maintain a concentrated portfolio of well-researched stocks. Lynch provides practical advice on finding undervalued companies, doing thorough research, and making disciplined investment decisions. The book is a follow-up to his earlier work, 'One Up On Wall Street', and offers insights into his successful investment approach.