Bill Gates’ favourite book is a 1969 classic Warren Buffett swears by

Bill Gates is known for his sharp mind and constant curiosity, qualities that helped him turn Microsoft into one of the world’s biggest tech companies. But even one of the smartest business leaders says a single piece of advice from Warren Buffett changed how he thinks about business and leadership.

In 1991, when Gates first met Buffett, he expected their conversation to revolve around technology, investments, or business strategy. Instead, Buffett gave him a simple but life-changing suggestion, a decades-old business book that he said offered more real-world wisdom than most modern guides.

That moment not only transformed how Gates viewed business but also marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship and mentorship between the two billionaires. Gates often says Buffett’s lessons on patience, people, and long-term thinking have deeply influenced how he approaches success, decision-making, and management.

The conversation that started it all

When Gates asked Buffett what the best business book he had ever read was, Buffett didn’t even pause before answering, Business Adventures by John Brooks. He even mailed Gates his personal copy of the book soon after.

Gates later shared this story on his blog, writing, “Not long after I first met Warren Buffett back in 1991, I asked him to recommend his favorite book about business. He didn’t miss a beat: ‘It’s Business Adventures, by John Brooks,’ he said. ‘I’ll send you my copy.’”

Even years later, Gates still calls it the best business book he’s ever read. “More than two decades after Warren lent it to me and more than four decades after it was first published, Business Adventures remains the best business book I’ve ever read,” he wrote.

A classic book with lessons that still matter

Published in 1969, Business Adventures is a collection of 12 real-life stories about major companies in the US. It includes stories about Ford’s failed Edsel car, the rise of Xerox, and other big corporate moments that show how people and decisions shape success or failure.

Gates says the book may be old, but its lessons are still relevant. “The details of business have changed, but the basics have not,” he explained. Gates compared it to another timeless classic, Benjamin Graham’s The Intelligent Investor, which Buffett calls the best investing book ever written.

Why Buffett and Gates still believe in reading

Both Gates and Buffett are known for being lifelong readers. Buffett spends most of his day reading and learning, while Gates regularly shares his favourite books on his blog, inspiring millions around the world.

Gates has said that if he could give advice to his younger self, he would tell himself to focus more on emotional intelligence and people skills, not just logic and IQ. The stories in Business Adventures helped him see how understanding people is key to running great businesses.

Even today, in a world full of new technology and fast-changing trends, Gates and Buffett’s love for classic books shows one thing, good business isn’t just about numbers. It’s about learning from experience, understanding people, and never stopping reading.