Publisher's Synopsis
This book was the primer for any up and coming industrialist and wealth capitalist providing a who's who of successful men in America. All names are as famous and infamous as their legacy. The book notably includes industrialists, politicians, inventors and philanthropists. "A tremendous resource of biased historical reference, still worthy of noting how history rewards the wealthy to the point to hiding specific truths while promoting only the good deeds." A well written book documenting the successes of famous men who mostly came from nothing and built their fortunes. A small piece of the book is dedicated to how people fail, where they lose their way. It is not clear who the Author of this book was outside his permanent presence in this historical writing. Some believe the book was written by Richard Marsh and penned as H.A. Lewis. One thing is for sure, the method used to sell this book as a tool on being successful was taken by the agent to new levels, by having local endorsements of the books caused sales to perform well. This is a recognized fact; yet history tells us that seven-tenths of our most successful men began life poor. As our title indicates, we shall endeavor to show why some succeed while others fail. Knowing that everybody desires success, and recognizing the old adage, Example is the best of teachers, we have selected representative characters from the multitude of successful men who have climbed the ladder of success, beginning at the bottom round. These we have folio wee from childhood to manhood, dwelling at length on the traits of character that have made them so rich and successful, believing that a careful study will convince all that the proverbial luck had little to do with it. On the contrary, one is taught those lessons of self-helpfulness and self-reliance which are so essential to success in lifes struggles. It is fear ful to think how many of our young people are drifting with out an aim in life, and do not comprehend that they owe mankind their best efforts. We are all familiar with the parable of the slothful servant who buried his talent all may profit by his example. To those who would succeed, we respectfully present this volume.