Alice Schroeder's "The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life" is a remarkable book that will be read for many years to come. It is so thoroughly researched and clearly written that this writer was immediately caught up in the life story of The Oracle of Omaha. Ms. Schroeder makes America's most well-known capitalist seem like a man the reader knows from across the street instead of a distant, cold concept of a multi-billionaire.

The reader will be delighted to discover that Mr. Buffett is more closely tied to West Virginia than many realize. Schroeder relates one particularly funny incident that takes place at a Charleston racetrack when Warren was young, and the book also touches on many Mountain State businesses and the human engines that make them run.

Buffett did not inherit his vast fortune, and he was most certainly not a born charmer. As a child, he was utterly fascinated with the measuring of time in seconds and copying down the license plate numbers of cars, collecting bottle caps and fingerprinting nuns. His childhood pastimes may seem odd, but the book makes clear his logical reasons for such interests.

This writer is well aware that a biography of one of the wealthiest men in the world is a guaranteed seller to those who make their living in finance, but she would like to encourage people from all walks of life to read this book. Warren was an awkward, socially inept teen who could barely put on matching socks. He scuffled about the streets of Omaha, Neb., wearing a ratty pair of canvas sneakers and a torn sweater, delivering newspapers and groceries. He struggled for many years, well past youth, with feelings of social awkwardness. One especially touching part of the book tells of Warren signing up for Dale Carnegie's course in public speaking so that he could gain the courage to talk to Susie Thompson, his future wife.

He had attempted to take the course before, but had chickened out before even signing his name. During one weekly meeting, he won the award in class for doing something difficult and accomplishing the most with the training. He recalls, "That was the week I proposed to Susie. I won the pencil."

The 7-year-old Warren who wrote to Santa and requested a book on "Bond Salesmanship" received his wish that year, and now in fiscal maturity is doing an awful lot of giving. It is an inspiring and uplifting story. With America's current economic rumblings, this book is timely, useful and enjoyable for the discerning reader.

Kathy Ferrell is an employee at Empire Books and News at Pullman Square in Huntington.