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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
I just couldn't make it all the way through this book. It was just too dry and boring. Carnegie's life either wasn't that interesting or he chose not to elaborate on his true rise to wealth. His recounts of his young life basically allude that he was a good worker and that he knew the right people and got promoted.
The most interesting part of the book was the brief description of his times during the American Civil war and his interactions with Abraham Lincoln, but even those were brief passages and they did not go into much detail beyond general observations.
The most interesting part of the book was the brief description of his times during the American Civil war and his interactions with Abraham Lincoln, but even those were brief passages and they did not go into much detail beyond general observations.
I give it three stars because it was so full of information and very historically interesting.... But it dragged a bit with all the facts and figures about the mills and the ending was too abrupt for words. Depressing.
informative
fast-paced
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Was not bad. Inordinate amount of government names/political ties at points which could be disorientating if you are not erudite on US politics. More of a reflective memoir rather than focusing solely on the ascension to wealth. My favorite part of this book was unequivocally the last chapter "Administration of Wealth" or other. It's a beautiful philosophy on how wealth impacts societal gain and from someone who has amassed significant amounts of it, thought this was a highlight and a reward for making it to the end. Also considering this is one of the first true memoirs of the wealthy before the likes of Schwarzman, Thiel, Zell etc. all came down upon us sharing their stories, I think this is a fundamental must read. Deductions in my rating come from a lack of context in some places and lofty name dropping to the point of exhaustion in some chapters.
College paper
So I needed some more information about Carnegie and his involvement in the library industry. Great book. Lots of good information from him about him and his thoughts about how to disperse wealth
So I needed some more information about Carnegie and his involvement in the library industry. Great book. Lots of good information from him about him and his thoughts about how to disperse wealth
Enjoyable and insightful read. I got a little bogged down in the business transactions and the name dropping, but his wisdom and insight made up for it. I will likely pick this up again.
Amazing businessman, but even more amazing person.
My only bits of knowledge of Andrew Carnegie were a few anecdotes I had heard about him earning a fortune in the steel industry and how he later gave much of that money away. This book more than filled in the blanks, as well as providing me with an interesting read.
Mr. Carnegie began his autobiography with a history of his family in Scotland before moving on to describe their plans and eventual move to the United States. The first two-thirds of the book are mostly in chronological order, allowing readers to experience Mr. Carnegie’s life and his experiences in the business world. The book is written in an engaging style, and it is easy to imagine yourself sitting by the fire with a drink in hand while speaking directly with the author.
There were added bonuses to the book, the first being the many words of wisdom Mr. Carnegie included as part of his recollections. These range from “A great business is seldom if ever built up, except on lines of the strictest integrity” to “He that cannot reason is a fool, He that will not is a bigot, He that dare not is a slave.” Along with Mr. Carnegie’s thoughts we are also rewarded with a view of American history during the nineteenth century. I don’t believe this was his intention, and thus he reveals an unguarded view of the world as it used to be.
The last third of the book are chapters that Mr. Carnegie probably felt would be better presented as subjects having their own sections rather than trying to include them in the chronological portion. Most of these chapters cover other people living at the same time, and Mr. Carnegie’s interactions with them.
Overall, a very interesting book that compelled me to take my time, stepping back in history and sharing the life and thoughts of a successful businessman. Five stars.
Mr. Carnegie began his autobiography with a history of his family in Scotland before moving on to describe their plans and eventual move to the United States. The first two-thirds of the book are mostly in chronological order, allowing readers to experience Mr. Carnegie’s life and his experiences in the business world. The book is written in an engaging style, and it is easy to imagine yourself sitting by the fire with a drink in hand while speaking directly with the author.
There were added bonuses to the book, the first being the many words of wisdom Mr. Carnegie included as part of his recollections. These range from “A great business is seldom if ever built up, except on lines of the strictest integrity” to “He that cannot reason is a fool, He that will not is a bigot, He that dare not is a slave.” Along with Mr. Carnegie’s thoughts we are also rewarded with a view of American history during the nineteenth century. I don’t believe this was his intention, and thus he reveals an unguarded view of the world as it used to be.
The last third of the book are chapters that Mr. Carnegie probably felt would be better presented as subjects having their own sections rather than trying to include them in the chronological portion. Most of these chapters cover other people living at the same time, and Mr. Carnegie’s interactions with them.
Overall, a very interesting book that compelled me to take my time, stepping back in history and sharing the life and thoughts of a successful businessman. Five stars.