How to Succeed or, Stepping-Stones to Fame and Fortune

by Orison Swett Marden

In this book, Orison Swett Marden explains the road to success in simple terms for the benefit of anyone, who wishes to follow in his footsteps. Over 100 years after publication, most of these lessons are still valid today.

167 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1896

About the author

Orison Swett Marden (1850-1924) was an American writer associated with the New Thought Movement. He also held a degree in medicine, and was a successful hotel owner.

Marden was born in Thornton Gore, New Hampshire to Lewis and Martha Marden. When he was three years old, his mother died at the age of 22, leaving Orison and his two sisters in the care of their father, a farmer, hunter, and trapper. When Orison was seven years old, his father died from injuries incurred while in the woods, and the children were shuttled from one guardian to another, with Orison working as a "hired boy" to earn his keep. Inspired by an early self-help book by the Scottish author Samuel Smiles, which he found in an attic, Marden set out to improve himself and his life circumstances. He persevered in advancing himself and graduated from Boston University in 1871. He later graduated from Harvard with an M.D. in 1881 and an LL.B. degree in 1882. He also studied at the Boston School of Oratory and Andover Theological Seminary.

Reviews

[Prakash Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book by Swett Marden

"First of all," replied the boy James A. Garfield, when asked what he meant to be, "I must make myself a man; if I do not succeed in that, I can succeed in nothing."


There is power lying latent everywhere, waiting for the observant eye to discover it.


The gods sell anything and to everybody at a fair price. —Emerson.


All desire knowledge, but no one is willing to pay the price. —Juvenal.


It is better to deserve success than to merely have it; few deserve it who do not attain it. There is no failure in this country for those whose personal habits are good, and who follow some honest calling industriously, unselfishly, and purely. If one desires to succeed, he must pay the price, work.


I would define this "Work" as self-talk, self-realization, making good habits, discovering your capabilities, harnessing the powers within. 

Suggestion - It would be better to start chapters from new page.

[Edita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sąmonėje glūdi kiekvieno veikimo pradžia.

[Tg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Mr. Marden, again and again he points out how little things can build great things.
How Poor boys and girls by grit and determination, made the most of themselves.
Reading by Candles--Walking in the snow using newspaper for shoes to get books.
Industry, and Ingenuity are your bestfriends

[Jim Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book I could not get by the first couple of pages when I had to check as to when it was written because Marden once again describes America as it is today or at least almost as it is today but it WAS WRITTEN IN 1896. This just proves that HISTORY DOES REPEAT ITSELF and more importantly, we as a country have learned nothing from history - NOTHING! Just this one excerpt from the book ought to make everyone want to read it: "Although millions are out of employment in the United States (1896), how difficult it is to find a thorough, reliable, self-dependent, industrious man or woman, young or old, for any position, whether as a domestic servant, an office boy, a teacher, a brakeman, a conductor, an engineer, a clerk, a bookkeeper, or whatever we may want. It is almost impossible."

Marden talks about individual traits and why they are so important for each of us and what happens when we violate them. Each chapter is a stand alone chapter and each has great stories to be told, quotes to be read. Marden refers to a lot of people in his day and history that some who I unfortunately did not recognize but you don't have to know them to appreciate their stories of success, overcoming poverty and ridicule to reach their wildest goals.

This is truly a great study of mankind and it is a Stepping Stones for Fame and Fortune as the title suggests. I would recommend it for everyone over the age of 12 to read but especially the age group 12 to 20 because there is so much to learn.

One aspect of the book that I found very interesting was the structure of the sentences and how Marden used words. I would describe this as a cross between modern day writing and something you might have read earlier in our history like during the founding fathers time.

The book can obtained free if you order the Kindle version from www.Amazon.com.

[Desiree Finkbeiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Chalk yer bobbins." ;) You'll have to read the book to find out the significance of that statement. A simple secret so profound it saved a company millions.
Finish what you start. Follow through. Pay attention to the little details that affect the major things (the things other people ignore). Do what others are not willing to do. Don't waste time. Sharpen your focus. Study. Be courageous. These tidbits and more are covered in the process to succeed. Marden fills the pages with excellent stories from his day about success and how men of the era made successful lives out of following simple tenets for success. Quotes from famous names abound which color the subjects that follow. An entertaining read that left this reader ready for action, and eager for success. Loved it.

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shocked me.

I wasn't seeking wisdom exactly. I was merely curious. Is today's advice the same as yesterday? Would authors from a century ago agree with the new breed, or do they proffer other ideas?

The pages contain many quotes and historical examples from all over the world. There's not much "I think... I feel... I believe..." nonsense from the author. Instead there is a lot of observation from history. And my question was answered: some advice is very, very different.

Maybe you'll feel the principles to be common sense. Maybe some will open your eyes to a new (or should I say older?) mindset. I guess that depends on how you think now. And maybe this book will shock you, too.

Read and enjoy.

[Jason Mashak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Outdated, for sure, with a bit too much moral compass built in, but worth reading just for the great quotes. Also, it's always great to go back to basics now and then, in terms of how to be a better person, and this book is great for that.

[Abdullah Almuslem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very uplifting book and worths every single second spent on it

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seemed to me that this book consists of mainly other people's quotes. It wasn't a bad book and I can see how it motivates, I just wanted more from the author.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will add a full review this weekend. For now I will say that overall I enjoyed reading this book and there was a great deal of beneficial information.

[Bradley Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually a compilation of stories around the world, through the ages. Some strories being paraphrased.