Howard Marks
Howard Marks is an American investor and business author known for writing on value investing, risk, and market cycles. Co-founder of Oaktree Capital Management, he wrote The Most Important Thing and Mastering the Market Cycle. His investment memos and books have become widely read guides for professional and individual investors.
Biography & Author's Journey
Howard Marks built his reputation at the intersection of disciplined investing and unusually clear writing. Raised in Queens, New York, he studied finance at the Wharton School and earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business before entering investment research at First National City Bank, later Citicorp, in 1969. Over the next two decades he moved from equities into convertibles, high yield bonds, and distressed debt, then led those groups at TCW. In 1995 he co-founded Oaktree Capital Management, where he became co-chairman and a principal steward of the firm’s risk-conscious investment philosophy. ((https://catalogimages.wiley.com/images/db/pdf/9781119617068.excerpt.pdf))
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Popular Books
Mastering the Market Cycle
Howard Marks
Legendary investor reveals how to identify market cycles, improve investment decisions, and gain an edge in volatile markets.
Most Important Thing, The
Howard Marks
Renowned investor Howard Marks shares invaluable insights on successful investing, risk assessment, and market psychology in this illuminating guide.
Mastering the Market Cycle
Howard Marks
Legendary investor reveals how to identify market cycles, improve investment decisions, and gain an edge in volatile markets.
Most Important Thing, The
Howard Marks
Renowned investor Howard Marks shares invaluable insights on successful investing, risk assessment, and market psychology in this illuminating guide.
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Community Voices
"But for a certain Wall Street set, there are equally high expectations for the writings of Howard Marks"
— Wall Street Journal
"Few books on investing match the high standards set by Howard Marks in The Most Important Thing"
— John C. Bogle
"Howard Marks's Mastering the Market Cycle is a must-read"
— Ray Dalio
"Regular recipients of Howard Marks's investment memos eagerly await their arrival for the essential truths and unique insights they contain"
— Seth A. Klarman
"Howard Marks has distilled years of investment wisdom into a short book that is lucid, entertaining, and ultimately profound"
— Joel Greenblatt
"Written in plain English, Howard Marks's hard-earned wisdom will help readers tilt the odds in their favor"
— Jeffrey Gundlach
"When I see memos from Howard Marks in my mail, they're the first thing I open and read"
— Warren Buffett
"Veteran value-investing manager Howard Marks draws on pithy memos he wrote to clients over the years"
— Money Magazine
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
