Life Is What You Make It

Find Your Own Path to Fulfillment

By: Peter Buffett

Narrated by: Peter Buffett

“Peter Buffett has given us a wise and inspiring [audio]book…for every young person seeking to find his or her place in the world, and for every family hoping to give its daughters and sons the best possible start in life.”—Bill Clinton

You may think that with a last name like his, Buffett has enjoyed a life of endless privilege. But the son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett says that the only real inheritance handed down from his parents was a philosophy: Forge your own path in life. It is a creed that has allowed him to follow his own passions, establish his own identity, and reap his own successes.
Today’s society, Buffett posits, has begun to replace a work ethic, relishing what you do, with a wealth ethic, honoring the payoff instead of the process. We confuse privilege with material accumulation. Yet, by focusing more on substance and less on reward, we can open doors of opportunity and strive toward a greater sense of fulfillment. In clear and concise terms, Buffett reveals a great truth: Life is random, neither fair nor unfair. Our journey in life rarely follows a straight line but is often met with false starts, crises, and blunders. How we push through and persevere in these challenging moments is where we begin to create the life of our dreams.
Personal and revealing, instructive and intuitive, Life Is What You Make It is about transcending your circumstances, taking up the reins of your destiny, and living your life to the fullest.

Critic reviews

J.P. Morgan Private Bank's Summer Reading List Pick, 2010

“Peter Buffett has given us a wise and inspiring book that should be required reading for every young person seeking to find his or her place in the world, and for every family hoping to give its daughters and sons the best possible start in life.”
–President Bill Clinton

"Knowing and admiring Peter as we do, LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT captures his spirit, passion, and values beautifully. As parents, it’s the kind of dialogue about our life’s purpose and opportunity we’re having with our children. We will have everyone in our family read and discuss LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT ."
–Bill & Melinda Gates

"With home-spun, heart-felt wisdom, Peter Buffett ponders how to make a meaningful life, while making a living. LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT is thought-provoking, worthwhile reading."
–Ted Turner

"LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT is the ultimate book of commonsense -- except it isn't common. Because Peter Buffett could have had a derived identity and chose not to, he has power and credibility when he tells us how to find a unique self by doing what we love. I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't benefit from this spirited, wise, and friendly book."
–Gloria Steinem

"In his searching book, LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT, Peter Buffett challenges us all to balance ambition and service, personal goals and work for the common good. It is a book of value and honesty."
–Eve Ensler, author of The Vagina Monologues

Excellent treatise on life and choices

The author gives a fantastic perspective on privilege, choices, and happiness. There are a lot of great wisdom and stories that are relatable to anyone's life.

Contains insights but lack actionable steps

This book has great stories of Peter Buffett and provided some of his valuable life insights. I wish the book is more versatile in the stories; I noticed that I yearn for more as the stories seem to repeat itself half way through the book.

lacked depth for the average person

I enjoyed listening to this book. I believe the author was honest and sincere. I think the best part of the book was listening to his outlook on life. The Buffett family has such a great outlook. I only ranked the book a 3 because it wasn't very applicable to my life. My outlook on life was already that you can choose which direction to go in life, so this book didn't offer any advice that I really wanted to act on.

A Must Read

Whether you’re confused or have figured things out, young or old, successful or not, happy and content or not, starting out or retiring, whoever you may be, this is a must read. It is life-changing, thought provoking, and heartwarming.

Buena reflexión

Es una buena reflexión de las bases para una vida significativa, desde un punto de vista individual que se convierte colectivo.