Andrew Carnegie by David Nasaw

     Perhaps the most surprising character trait of Andrew Carnegie was his self-consciousness. You would think that even as a boy he would have been dripping with an unfounded sense of confidence and bravado. According the author, Carnegie actually had a hard time fitting in with his peers. Not only was he young when he became wealthy, but he was also short and Scottish, a combination not very well appreciated by his seniors.

     The most admirable quality of Carnegie was his perception of success. Compared to his cohort of young successful men, he actually understood more about achieving success than anyone. The author notes that Carnegie believed success to have been due to being in the right place at the right time. Endless work was not the way to win big, but knowing someone or something that your competitor doesn't? That's what can make the difference  between life or death, especially in multi-million dollar business.

     The least flattering attribute that I can find was his unusual aptitude for making money the illegal way. Carnegie turned so many tricks to make money that frankly I am surprised he didn't die of vertigo. The man did anything and everything he could to make profit that it is disappointing to see such a great man reduced to scrabbling over pennies and doing tricks on the corner for a cool buck. 

     His upbringing definitely qualifies as a backstory full of adversity. He grew up poor. He wasn't a real "American" to his contemporaries. He really did have it tough. As for failure? I can say with certainty that he had his fair share. For all of the things he faced, Carnegie never gave up. He persevered against all odds. That's what made him famous and rich. 

     The most impressive competency Carnegie exhibited was that perseverance and determination. Although both characteristics got the man into a heap of trouble, without them, Carnegie and his mother would have died back in Scotland with his father. 

     The most confusing thing to me is the amount of crimes that Carnegie committed. The number is absolutely atrocious. Not only that, but the entirety of the United States' legal system before the legislation of the Industrial Revolution was revolting. Even after laws were passed to defend workers rights and and safety, the government lacked the gall to push more penalties and stop the injustices occurring beneath their purview. 

     If I were to ask Carnegie two questions, they would be, "Why did you feel the need to immorally gain money repeatedly?" and "Do you think your actions in your later years justified your younger years?"