THE GREAT INTEREST manifested in the life-stories of successful men
and women, which have been published from time to time in the magazine
S, has actuated their production in book form. Many of these sketches
have been revised and rewritten, and new ones have been added. They all
contain the elements that make men and women successful; and they are
intended to show that character, energy, and an indomitable ambition will
succeed in the world, and that in this land, where all men are born equal and
have an equal chance in life, there is no reason for despair. I believe that the
ideal book for youth should deal with concrete examples; for that which is
taken from real life is far more effective than that which is culled from fancy.
Character-building, its uplifting, energizing force, has been made the basic
principle of this work.
To all who have aided me I express a grateful acknowledgment; and to
none more than to those whose life-stories are here related as a lesson to
young people. Among those who have given me special assistance in
securing those life-stories are, Mr. Harry Steele Morrison, Mr. J. Herbert
Welch, Mr. Charles H. Garrett, Mr. Henry Irving Dodge, and Mr. Jesse W.
Weik. I am confident that the remarkable exhibit of successful careers made
in this book—careers based on sound business principles and honesty—will
meet with appreciation on the part of the reading public.