Book Review — “Richer, Wiser, Happier” by William Green

When I first saw the title Richer, Wiser, Happier, I nearly dismissed it. It sounded like one of those “get-rich-quick” manuals that mistake slogans for wisdom. But after reading about it in David Alade’s newsletter, I decided to give it a chance. I’m glad I did. Published in 2021, this 300-page book by journalist William Green is less of a manual for wealth accumulation and more of an exploration of the quiet intelligence that underpins lasting success.

Green, who has written for The New Yorker and The Economist, spent over two decades interviewing some of the greatest investors of our time. His subjects include Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett, Joel Greenblatt, Sir John Templeton, Bill Miller, Jack Bogle, Nick Sleep, and Mohnish Pabrai. These are not mere profiles. Green extracts life lessons that transcend finance, using their stories to illuminate the acceptance of uncertainty and the psychology of decision-making.

From the very beginning, Green makes it clear that this is not a book about quick riches. “If people can’t tell you how they do it,” warns one investor, “and you can’t understand what they do, that’s probably not the best spot to be in.” It’s a piercing reminder that transparency and understanding are the real safeguards against financial ruin. One memorable anecdote tells of a client who sought a guaranteed 12…