I listened to this monster bio about this diminutive giant of a man. It took over a month and at times it felt like I was living with Carnegie in real time. AC was a man of contradictions—hard working, but traveled and vacationed at least half the year. Magnanimous then and utterly ruthless against unions. Author did a magnificent job with this detailed portrayal of a life long lived and a legacy like no other.

• Only invest in companies you have investigated yourself.
t• First dividend check; here’s the goose that lays the golden egg (24% interest).
t• Andy took self-education seriously. He wanted to read widely because that was what a man and a citizen did, whether artisan or mechanic, clerk or merchant, Scottish or American. Book learning was a means toward, and a sign of, moral distinction. 45
t• He borrowed a book a week as a “working boy” where he could, libraries were not as open to everybody as they are now. And you had to have money to buy books.
t• Getting reading material at the time was difficult, he had to seek knowledge with focus.
t• Sunny personality: Bridge recalled: ”He loved to find his own joy of living reflected by those about him. He was the most consistently happy man I ever knew.” 172

Andrew Carnegie started from a very poor background and became one of the richest people in the world, and he had to be the “father” of the family (oldest son) making money at an early age.

After his steel mills were making enormous amounts of money he simply distanced himself and travelled the world taking friends and family with him.

He invested with his partners (and mentor) when he had an edge in ways that are by completely legit today. He followed closely with his mentor.

Rising above through industry and energy: “Andy’s early career on the railroad replicated his first days as a telegraph operator. He ingratiated himself with supervisors, learned as much about the industry as possible, and did more than was expected if him.” 57

I had no idea how integral Carnegie was in building the infrastructure of America..Back in the days of the good ole boys where there were no laws for insider trading..I grew up in the town where his first public library was built and it saved my life. My father was a steelworker at his ET works for 40 years..The steel mill touched every part of our lives..If you want to see the results of the town with the mills gone or operating very lightly, read the article in May's Rolling Stone "The mayor of hell"..The town is devastated.

A rags-to-riches story. Andrew Carnegie became one of the richest people in America. He is a symbol of industrial might to some, and corporate greed and oppression to others. He was also a wealthy playboy philanthropist, and a strong advocate for world peace.

This biography pulls no punches.

My city (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) boasts three Carnegie libraries.