The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie
, subject: Andrew Carnegie's life, business philosophy, steel career, philanthropy, and personal rules for work and conduct.
Carnegie's own account connects self-making, concentrated effort, technology investment, opportunity, and giving in a book David has read twice.
About the book
David devoted Episodes 74 and 283 to Carnegie's autobiography and returned to it across later episodes for lessons on technology investment, concentrated effort, opportunity, self-judgment, and giving. Episode 283 is explicitly David's second reading.
Why read it
Best if you want Carnegie's own account of his rise and the operating lessons David returned to on a second reading, especially concentration, technology, opportunity, and giving
Key themes
- Self-Making And Early Work
- Concentration And Opportunity
- Technology As A Compounding Advantage
Evidence and original sources
This episode is dedicated to The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie, focusing on material not already covered in the prior week's episode on Carnegie and Frick.
- Paul Orfalea (Kinkos) — David draws on an idea from Andrew Carnegie's autobiography about judging yourself rather than relying on others' judgment, applying it to Orfalea's story.
- Michael Bloomberg — David draws the theme of always investing in the latest technology from Carnegie's autobiography.
- Sam Walton: Made In America — David compares his Sam Walton reread with a technology lesson he learned from Carnegie's autobiography.
- What I Learned Before I Sold to Warren Buffett — David says Carnegie's autobiography is top of mind and that he may reread it; this is an intent reference, not a completed reread.
- Andrew Carnegie — This episode is built around David's reading of Andrew Carnegie's autobiography.
- Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick — David connects this book to the prior episode (283), which was devoted to it.
Unofficial listener-built companion, not affiliated with or endorsed by David Senra or Founders Podcast.