Self Made Man in America

by Irvin G. Wyllie

Paperback

First published May 1, 1966

Reviews

[Nathan Slippy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accessible read (although an inaccessible book, out of print) about the historical tradition of self-help which sustains the American Dream. Even as the cult dismisses the economic and social conditions which heavily influence individual outcomes, the cult itself is subject to the winds and waves of economic tides. When times are good there is "plenty of room at the top," or so we dare ourselves to hope.

This book feels timely in an age when the modern Rockefellers and Carnegies are hailed as holding the keys to America's future, the solutions to climate change, and the products that will make our lives more exciting than any that have ever been lived. Of course most of us will never become a billionaire. But maybe we'll become an "influencer." Or maybe we'll "make a difference" in our job. Certainly the myth has lost some steam, but that's because the Recession is recent history and most people starting their careers have enormous college debt. We've slowly figured out that the stock market is an empty measure of political and societal health. We want real wage increases, decent life expectancy, higher self-reported happiness, a good climate for starting a business, and the know-how to actually do that. Even if the rugged individual has been beaten down, we still have hope. We should have hope, but not that our character and grit will win us inevitable riches.

[Laura Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can track this out of print book down, it is a fascinating look at the historical evolution of the ideology of the "self-made man" in America.