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Andrew Carnegie: Industrial Philanthropist
Chronicles the rags-to-riches tale of a Scottish immigrant who used most of the millions he earned as a steel tycoon to set up a fund for the advancement of science, education, and peace.
128 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 13, 2024
This book totally satisfied my craving to learn more about this incredible man! Reading him forge his success from the ground up, and all the ways our country still benefits from his generosity even 100 years later. Great educational read!
August 12, 2018
This was a very easy read about the great Andrew Carnegie's life growing up to all of his successes up until his death. Nothing groundbreaking in this book, but it is inspiring to learn just how he came from literally sticks and stones to accumulating the amount of wealth he did. He became one of the richest men in the world after selling his steel company to J.P. Morgan, however, the fact that he ended up donating 90% of his fortune and his philosophy and attitude towards wealth is something that is truly admiring. This is my 3rd book reading about Andrew Carnegie's life as just wanted to refresh myself on his life ahead of my Tour Guide season at Carnegie Hall that starts back up in 1.5 months.
December 20, 2013
Carnegie immigrated to the United States with his parents and brother Tom when he was 12 years old. To say that he was driven to succeed is an understatement.
For example, his third job, after leaving a spindle factory, was delivering telegrams. Each night he would return home and memorize the name and address of every business in Pittsburgh, then would learn the names of the people he delivered to. He studied Morse code so that he could fill in for operators on their break, later becoming just the third person in the U.S. to be able to write messages by merely *listening* to the teletype.
When Carnegie retired, he sold his steel company to J.P. Morgan for $480M, over $10B in today's dollars. He then spent the rest of his life working harder than ever in attempt to give the money away. His philosophy was to enable people to better themselves. To this end he paid for 2811 libraries around the world at a cost of $50M dollars.
Carnegie also dedicated himself to world peace, driven to do so by the horrors he witnessed during our Civil War. He was convinced that if he could get leaders to talk to each other he could put an end to war. When World War I broke out, it broke his spirit so completely the he died only a year after it ended.
For example, his third job, after leaving a spindle factory, was delivering telegrams. Each night he would return home and memorize the name and address of every business in Pittsburgh, then would learn the names of the people he delivered to. He studied Morse code so that he could fill in for operators on their break, later becoming just the third person in the U.S. to be able to write messages by merely *listening* to the teletype.
When Carnegie retired, he sold his steel company to J.P. Morgan for $480M, over $10B in today's dollars. He then spent the rest of his life working harder than ever in attempt to give the money away. His philosophy was to enable people to better themselves. To this end he paid for 2811 libraries around the world at a cost of $50M dollars.
Carnegie also dedicated himself to world peace, driven to do so by the horrors he witnessed during our Civil War. He was convinced that if he could get leaders to talk to each other he could put an end to war. When World War I broke out, it broke his spirit so completely the he died only a year after it ended.
March 14, 2020
Great quick read about an interesting figure from a very important and formative time in our countries formation.
March 6, 2015
This was a very interesting book, and very well written. It does a good job of hitting all the major things without getting bogged down in the technicalities of the steel industry. The thing I thought was so interesting is that he was always learning, always looking towards the next big thing, which is what made him so successful. The other thing I thought was interesting was that when he started his first job in a factory he was making $1.20 a week. I figured it out, based on the description of a work day, and he would have made about a penny an hour.
I had not read anything about this particular man before, and I learned quite a bit from this biography.
I had not read anything about this particular man before, and I learned quite a bit from this biography.
February 10, 2015
I found this book in the adult biography section but it must be a young adult book. That's fine with me. It was a quick read with lots of photos--and even a glossary. I certainly know more than I did before about Carnegie and will be more aware of his name on so many causes and institutions--like Carnegie Hall and Sesame Street made possible by a gift from the Carnegie Foundation.
December 4, 2011
Carnegie built nearly 2000 libraries is the US..more world-wide. Since we have one of those impressive facities in my hometown, and becuase it is 130th anniversary of the first build in Scotland, I decided to learn more about this philanthropist..at one time the richest man in the world!!
April 3, 2016
Fascinating man.....
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews