Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

We Americans devour eagerly any piece of writing that purports to tellus the secret of success in life; yet how often we are disappointed tofind nothing but commonplace statements, or receipts that we know byheart but never follow. Most of the life stories of our famous andsuccessful men fail to inspire because they lack the human elementthat makes the record real and brings the story within our grasp.While we are searching far and near for some Aladdin's Lamp to givecoveted fortune, there is ready at our hand if we will only reach outand take it, like the charm in Milton's _Comus_, "Unknown, and like esteemed, and the dull swain Treads on it daily with his clouted shoon;"the interesting, human, and vividly told story of one of the wisestand most useful lives in our own history, and perhaps in any history.In Franklin's _Autobiography_ is offered not so much a ready-madeformula for success, as the companionship of a real flesh and bloodman of extraordinary mind and quality, whose daily walk andconversation will help us to meet our own difficulties, much as doesthe example of a wise and strong friend. While we are fascinated bythe story, we absorb the human experience through which a strong andhelpful character is building.