Andrew Carnegie And The Rise Of Big Business

From the outset, Livesay presents Carnegie’s life as characteristic of the American Dream. Do you agree that Carnegie’s life follows the narrative of the American Dream? Does Carnegie’s success prove that the American Dream is attainable for all?

Livesay describes two different father figures for Carnegie: his actual father, Will, and his mentor, Tom Scott. What role do each of these figures play in shaping Carnegie’s career trajectory?

Livesay remarks in the book that the biographer is always limited in his ability to understand his subject. Though biographers can report the facts of an individual’s life, “the precise motivation always remains something of a mystery” (27). What are some of the strategies Livesay employs to shed light onto Andrew Carnegie’s personality and character? Does Livesay succeed in uncovering Carnegie’s motivations?