This book features the life stories, told by themselves, of many successful men and women, with emphasis on those experiences which to them appear to have been the turning points in their lives. The leaders in invention, manufacture, transportation, commerce, finance, in political and public life, and in the professions of the ministry, the law, literature and art, were requested to bequeath in their own words the stories of their lives, their ideals, and the lessons of their experience, to the American public. Many and varied careers have been selected, so that each one may find his ideal of success fulfilled in real life, and be aroused to a lofty aspiration and resolute determination to achieve like eminence. While for the most part the experiences portrayed in this book occurred upon American soil, in several instances persons born or now living abroad, but prominently identified with American life, have been included. Contents: Hard Work, the Secret of a Great Inventor's Genius – Thomas Alva Edison A "Down-East" Yankee Who Dictates Peace to the Nations – Hiram Stevens Maxim A Poor Boy Who Once Borrowed Books Now Gives Away Libraries – Andrew Carnegie A Good Shoemaker Becomes Detroit's Best Mayor and Michigan's Greatest Governor – Hazen S. Pingree Determination Not to Remain Poor Made a Farmer Boy Merchant Prince – Marshall Field Honesty the Foundation of a Great Merchant's Career – John Wanamaker A British Boy Wins Fortune and Title by American Business Methods – Sir Thomas Lipton A Self-made Man Who Strives to Give Others a Chance – Darius Ogden Mills Thrift, the Secret of a Fortune Built in a Single Lifetime – Russell Sage Cut Out for a Banker, He Rose From Errand Boy to Secretary of the United States Treasury – Lyman Judson Gage A Young Millionaire Not Afraid to Work in Overalls – Cornelius Vanderbilt A Messenger Boy's Zeal Lifts Him to the Head of the World's Greatest Telegraph System – Robert C. Clowry…

"Little Visits with Great Americans" stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of American cultural, scientific, and political life at the turn of the 20th century. Through its eclectic mix of essays, personal reflections, and memoirs, the collection brings together an astonishing variety of voices, styles, and themes, presenting a panoramic view of an America in transition. The range of contributorsfrom leading politicians and business magnates to artists, scientists, and social reformersensures a diversity of perspectives on issues of progress, innovation, and the American spirit. Standout pieces offer insights into the personal philosophies and experiences of figures who have left an indelible mark on American society, providing readers with an intimate glimpse into the minds shaping the era. The backgrounds of the contributors are as varied as their professions, representing a cross-section of late 19th and early 20th-century America. Together, the works align with several historical and cultural movements of the period, including the rise of industrialism, the push for social reform, and the burgeoning of American arts and letters. This convergence of voices, ranging from pioneers in technology like Thomas Alva Edison and entrepreneurs like Andrew Carnegie, to social activists like Helen Keller and poets like Edwin Markham, offers a multifaceted view of American ambition and identity, reflecting the complexity and dynamism of the era. For readers seeking to understand the contours of American thought and culture at a pivotal moment in history, "Little Visits with Great Americans" offers an unrivaled opportunity. It is not only a collection for those interested in the historical figures it profiles but also for anyone eager to explore the intersections of diverse ideas and experiences that have shaped the American ethos. This anthology serves as a reminder of the power of individual stories to illuminate broader societal trends, inviting readers to explore the depth and breadth of American genius through a mosaic of its most influential voices.

"Apelles, the great artist, traveled all over Greece for years, studying the fairest points of beautiful women, getting here an eye, there a forehead, and there a nose, here a grace and there a turn of beauty, for his famous portrait of a perfect woman which enchanted the world. It was not a portrait, not an imaginary ideal head, but a composite, a combination from the most perfect features he could find. By combining the perfect points, the graceful curves, the lines of beauty of many individuals, he made his wonderful painting." -Introduction

Dr. Orison Swett Marden (1848–1924) was an American inspirational author who wrote about achieving success in life and founded SUCCESS magazine in 1897. His writings discuss common-sense principles and virtues that make for a well-rounded, successful life. Many of his ideas are based on New Thought philosophy. His first book, Pushing to the Front (1894), became an instant best-seller. Marden later published fifty or more books and booklets, averaging two titles per year.

In this timeless classic, Orison Swett Marden shares his personal conversations with some of the most influential Americans of his time. This book offers valuable insights into the minds of great leaders and provides inspiration for those looking to achieve success. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

In this inspirational and unflinchingly honest memoir, acclaimed author Reyna Grande describes her childhood torn between the United States and Mexico, and shines a light on the experiences, fears, and hopes of those who choose to make the harrowing journey across the border. Reyna Grande vividly brings to life her tumultuous early years in this “compelling...unvarnished, resonant” (BookPage) story of a childhood spent torn between two parents and two countries. As her parents make the dangerous trek across the Mexican border to “El Otro Lado” (The Other Side) in pursuit of the American dream, Reyna and her siblings are forced into the already overburdened household of their stern grandmother. When their mother at last returns, Reyna prepares for her own journey to “El Otro Lado” to live with the man who has haunted her imagination for years, her long-absent father. Funny, heartbreaking, and lyrical, The Distance Between Us poignantly captures the confusion and contradictions of childhood, reminding us that the joys and sorrows we experience are imprinted on the heart forever, calling out to us of those places we first called home. Also available in Spanish as La distancia entre nosotros.