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Andrew Carnegie

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About this listen

 Andrew Carnegie, whose lifetime spanned the era from the beginning of the Industrial Revolution to the First World War was America's first modern titan. In this magnificent biography, celebrated historian David Nasaw brings to life this period of unprecedented transition - a time of self-made millionaires, scabs, strikes, and a new kind of philanthropy - through the fascinating rags-to-riches story of one of our most iconic business legends.

The Scottish-born son of a failed weaver and a mother who supported the family by binding shoes, Andrew Carnegie was the embodiment of the American dream. In his rise from a job as a bobbin boy in a cotton factory to being the richest man in the world, he was single-minded, relentless, and a major player in some of the most violent and notorious labor strikes of the time. The prototype of today's billionaire, he was a visionary in the way he earned his money and in the way he gave it away.

Nasaw explains how Carnegie made his fortune and how he tried to pull the world back from a war he predicted. Brimming with new material, personal letters, diaries, prenuptial agreements, letters to and from presidents and prime ministers, Nasaw plumbs the core of this fascinating man, fixing him in his place as one of the most compelling, elusive, and multifaceted personalities of the 20th century.

©2006 David Nasaw (P)2007 Gildan Media Corp Americas Business Entertainment & Celebrities Historical Politicians Politics & Activism Professionals & Academics United States Celebrity Biography War American History Gilded Age Capitalism Franklin D Roosevelt Imperialism Socialism Middle Ages Latin American United Kingdom

Critic reviews

"This is biography on the grand scale." ( Washington Post Book World)
All stars
Most relevant
very thorough detailed overview of amdrew carnegies life. Great comparision to other biographies he comissioned and his wife comissioned after his death. Very easy listen and thankfully done chronologically.

very thorough detail of his life. easy listen

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David Nasaw does a brilliant job of portraying Carnegie and the reading by Grover Gardner is up to his usual top standards. I would have welcomed a bit more on the social and political side of his times, such as labour relations and anti-trust moves by the government. But that is a personal preference on my part, not a criticsm of the author who keeps his narrative focussed on the man himself and his many fascinating friendships and business acquaintances. Problem is that much of Carnegie's thinking is a bit simple if not childlike. So you can't help being pleased when Mr. Frick or President Roosevelt tire of his weedling and send him a sharp reproach. At the same time, Carnegie was clearly a very genuine, clever and affable man who was well liked, at least by his friends.

Excellent biography

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A well researched and insightful account of the now iconic Andrew Carnegie.

Riveting and one that you will probably come back to again.

A riveting book.

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This comprehensive history of Andrew Carnegie is worth persevering with. But it takes a lot of stamina! It describes Carnegie's work and life in great detail - and at times you can't help feeling you have heard something identical in a previous chapter. But the delightful Grover Gardner narrates well and helps keep your interest.

I was left with the feeling that Carnegie was perhaps not the hero he is now held up to be. Yes, he may be the godfather of philanthropy.....but his employee relations skills had some room for improvement!

Hard work, but worth persevering with.

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interesting story about a great man and a lot to learn...very objective story and excellent narrator

Great book by all standards...I enjoyed it

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