Andrew Carnegie, a destitute immigrant who became the richest man of his time, helped create "the American mind" by personifying the rags-to-riches story that was the American ideal in the early twentieth century. In this fourth volume of the CREATORS OF THE AMERICAN MIND series, James T. Baker writes a compelling biography that explores how and why Andrew Carnegie continues to exert such a profound influence over the American mind. Like the other volumes in this series, this text includes selections from the subject's contemporaries, scholarly analyses of the subject's life and influence, and comparisons to modern individuals who embody the traits of the subject covered in the text.
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James Watt
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Editorial Reviews
From the Publisher
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
From the Author
"When the publishers asked me to write the Life of Watt, I declined, stating that my thoughts were upon other matters. This settled the question, as I supposed, but in this I was mistaken. Why shouldn’t I write the Life of the maker of the steam-engine, out of which I had made a fortune? Besides I knew little of the history of the Steam Engine and of Watt himself, and the surest way to obtain knowledge was to comply with the publisher’s highly complimentary request. In short, the subject would not down, and finally, I was compelled to write again, telling them that the idea haunted me, and if they still desired me to undertake it, I should do so with my heart in the task. "I now know about the steam-engine, and have also had revealed to me one of the finest characters that ever graced the earth. For all this I am deeply grateful to the publishers. "I am indebted to friends, Messrs. Angus Sinclair and Edward R. Cooper, for editing my notes upon Scientific and Mechanical points. "The result is this volume. If the public, in reading, have one tithe of the pleasure I have had in writing it, I shall be amply rewarded."
Andrew Carnegie
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring Scots,
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This review is from: James Watt (Paperback)
Andrew Carnegie was one of the major figures in American history, who made his fortune in steel (giving most of it away for libraries) and wrote this biography three years before he died in 1919. Watt invented the improved steam engine that revolutionized the world. I can't think of any other biography written by such a great man, about such a great man, possibly excepting the Gospel of Mark. Carnegie's description of Watt's life is reverent almost to the point of unseemly hero-worship, but is laced with some most interesting insights into his own psyche and personal history. Watt, according to this account, was a giant to his contemporaries, not only for his technological accomplishments, but also because of his sweet and loyal disposition. I'm sure that Carnegie saw parallels there too. Although the language that Carnegie uses can seem archaic at times, the book is quite enjoyable: inspiring, even. His description of Watt's inventions and the technical insights required to achieve them are lucidly explained in the book, and it is clear that Carnegie was no mere business tycoon. Even his explanation of latent heat is clear and insightful, and a delight to read. When he describes the business relationship between Watt and his partner Boulton, one learns something about the goodness in them both, unqualified and complete.
5.0 out of 5 stars
James Watt Biography,
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This review is from: James Watt (Kindle Edition)
An excellent and most interesting account of the life of one of the most outstanding pioneer engineers. A 'must read' for all mechanical engineers.
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