Response p. 115-231

Throughout this section of the autobiography, Mr. Carnegie begins to explain the inner works of manufacturing iron products. Specifcally, Carnegie explains to the reader the financial part of the business. In other words, for a good amount of this section he discusses the "housekeeping" of the industry and the amounts manufactured and processed that year and how much profit he received. A big reason why Carnegie talks about the banking and finance part of his business is because he experienced many downfalls because lack of knowledge of the financial processes. For example, Carnegie had left to go to London and had left 3 million shares from a company, Union Pacific, locked in his safe but allowed one of his collegues, Mr. Scott, access to them. When he returned, he discovered that the shares were sold and that Union Pacific had accused him and his company of speculating. In short, Carnegie expresses the importance of understanding where your company sits financially and to always watch what amount of shares you buy from a certain company. In addition, he stressess the value of watching your collegues closely if something doesn't seem right. One of his quotes, "Many men can be trusted, but few need watching."(146)

What was most interesting about this section was that the reader was able to notice how much of a student Carnegie was when it came to his profession. He was constantly trying to find new ways of manufacturing iron quickly and more efficiently. In the text he states that he needed to hire a chemist to analyze specific ores and what areas needed more mining and which needed to be disposed of. Other companies thought this foolish and expensive but Carnegie thought it was necessary because he soon learned that his company was throwing away valuable remains of iron ore that could be easily smelted again and made into more product. In all, Carnegie's versatile mind was most interesting because he specifically stated that one must master whatever profession they decide to pursue and that they must learn everything there needs to be known about it. Another of his quotes is, "How foolish we are not to recognize what we are best fitted for and can perform, not only with ease but with pleasure, as masters of the craft."(170)

In conclusion, it was a bit of a struggle to follow the financial and banking part of Carnegie's rise to wealth through his company but his statements on the importance of knowing one's profession are very clear and that it is imperative that we don't try and do things we really aren't able to do.

Welcome to College Novels and University Life!

Dear students. Andrew Carnegie and I would like to welcome you to our class blog. Below find the the days that you have been assigned to post. Please respond to the questions for that class assignment and/or write you own response. Please go through your calendar and syllabus and write down the days you are assigned to post.

Please post by Monday or Wednesday night, no later than 11:00 PM! Group number one has until tomorrow (Tuesday) before class to post.

Here is the first set of questions, for Charles, Kristen, and John: How does the narrative that Carnegie has to offer change in this middle part of the book (from the beginning). What did you find to be the most interesting? Where did Carnegie lose you? Why does he focus so much on banking and finance?

Tuesday, September 1, Autobiography, pp. 116-231.
Charles, Kristen, John

Thursday, September 3 Autobiography, pp. 232-320.
Graham, Sara, Tai

Tuesday, September 8, My Freshman Year, pp. ix-89.
Eumie, Aubrey, Jessica

Thursday, September 10, My Freshman Year, pp. 90-168.
Tetyana, Aaron, Eric

Thursday, September 16, This Side of Paradise, pp. 3-98.
Nolan, Tyler, Christian

Tuesday, September 22, This Side of Paradise, pp. 99-178.
Charles, Kristen, John

Thursday, September 24, This Side of Paradise, pp. 178-304.
Graham, Sara, Tai

Tuesday, September 29 The Plastic Age (film).
Eumie, Aubrey, Jessica

Thursday, October 1 The Plastic Age (film)
The Plastic Age (entire novel).
Tetyana, Aaron, Eric

Thursday, October 8, Faithful Are the Wounds, pp. 1-102.
Nolan, Tyler, Christian

Tuesday, October 13 Faithful Are the Wounds, pp. 103-211.
Charles, Kristen, John

Thursday, October 15, Faithful Are the Wounds, pp. 211-281.
Graham, Sara, Tai

Tuesday, October 20 Babes in Boyland, pp. 1-70.
Eumie, Aubrey, Jessica

Tuesday, October 27 Babes in Boyland, pp. 70-154.
Tetyana, Aaron, Eric

Thursday, October 29, Double Yoke, pp.1-84.
Nolan, Tyler, Christian

Tuesday, November 3 Double Yoke, pp.84-163.
Charles, Kristen, John

Tuesday, November 10, Wonder Boys, pp. 3-130.
Graham, Sara, Tai

Thursday, November 12, Wonder Boys, pp. 131-245.
Eumie, Aubrey, Jessica

Tuesday, November 17, Wonder Boys (film).
Tetyana, Eric, Aaron

Thursday, November 19, Wonder Boys (film).
Nolan, Tyler, Christian