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Stories from Life: A Book for Young People
"To make a life, as well as to make a living, is one of the supreme objects for which we must all struggle. The sooner we realize what this means, the greater and more worthy will be the life which we shall make. In putting together the brief life stories and incidents from great lives which make up the pages of this little volume, the writer's object has been to show young people that, no matter how humble their birth or circumstances, they may make lives that will be held up as examples to future generations, even as these stories show how boys, handicapped by poverty and the most discouraging surroundings, yet succeeded so that they are held up as models to the boys of to- day. No boy or girl can learn too early in life the value of time and the opportunities within reach of the humblest children of the twentieth century to enable them to make of themselves noble men and women. The stories here presented do not claim to be more than mere outlines of the subjects chosen, enough to show what brave souls in the past, souls animated by loyalty to God and to their best selves, were able to accomplish in spite of obstacles of which the more fortunately born youths of to-day can have no conception. It should never be forgotten, however, in the strivings of ambition, that, while every one should endeavor to raise himself to his highest power and to attain to as exalted and honorable a position as his abilities entitle him to, his first object should be to make a noble life." -Orison Swett Marden The classic 1910 motivational gem in original form by Orison Swett Marden, one of the all time best "master motivators." A must have addition to your success library. Orison Swett Marden (1850-1924) is the founder of Success Magazine and is considered by many to be the founder of the modern success and positive thinking movement. He changed the old notions of success with the new more comprehensive ideas made popular by best-selling authors such as Napoleon Hill, Clement Stone, Dale Carnegie, Og Mandino, Earl Nightingale, Norman Vincent Peale, and many others. Visit our website and see our many books at UncleSamBooks.com
Hardcover
First published June 17, 2004
About the author
Orison Swett Marden
1,778 books179 followersOrison 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 27, 2021
Interesting read!!
The stories in this book are quite interesting, and worthwhile, it's a good collection and several of them have nice lessons for life, and some memorable quotes.
The stories in this book are quite interesting, and worthwhile, it's a good collection and several of them have nice lessons for life, and some memorable quotes.
December 16, 2022
چرا باید کتاب «اراده‌های آهنین» را بخوانیم؟
کتاب‌های موفقیت، اغلب به ما کمک می‌کنند تعریف دقیقی از یک زندگی خوب و ارزشمند را پیدا و در جهت آن حرکت کنیم. این کتاب‌ها با ایجاد تفکر و باور مثبت، زندگی افراد بسیاری را متحول کرده‌اند. همه‌ی ما برای زندگی بهتر، نیازمندیم بخشی از زمان خود را صرف مطالعه‌ی کتاب‌های انگیزشی کنیم و راه‌های رسیدن به عزت نفس، مثبت اندیشی، کنترل عواطف و احساسات را پیدا و سفر تازه‌ای را در زندگی تجربه کنیم. وقتی از کتاب‌های انگیزشی صحبت به میان می‌آید ناخودآگاه یاد زندگی افراد موفق می‌افتیم. در این راستا، انتشارات شاکر، به تازگی و برای نخستین‌بار کتاب «اراده‌های آهنین» را که یکی از بهترین کتاب‌های حوزه موفقیت است، چاپ و روانه بازار نشر نموده است. نویسنده این کتاب دکتر اوریزن اسوت ماردن است که بیش از ۵۰ عنوان کتاب در حوزه موفقیت از خود به یادگار گذاشته است. وی موسس مجله SUCCESS در سال ۱۸۹۷ می‌باشد. «اراده‌های آهنین» پر است از قصه‌های واقعی انسان‌های بزرگی که از ته دره‌ی فقر و گمنامی مسیر زندگی خویش را شروع کرده‌اند و به قله‌های جاودانگی رسیده‌اند. بی‌شک، با خواندن این کتاب قوی‌تر می‌شوید و با روحیه‌ای آهنین در راه دستیابی به اهدافتان گام بر می‌دارید. باشد که روح و نام‌تان را در این دنیا جاودانه سازید.
کتاب‌های موفقیت، اغلب به ما کمک می‌کنند تعریف دقیقی از یک زندگی خوب و ارزشمند را پیدا و در جهت آن حرکت کنیم. این کتاب‌ها با ایجاد تفکر و باور مثبت، زندگی افراد بسیاری را متحول کرده‌اند. همه‌ی ما برای زندگی بهتر، نیازمندیم بخشی از زمان خود را صرف مطالعه‌ی کتاب‌های انگیزشی کنیم و راه‌های رسیدن به عزت نفس، مثبت اندیشی، کنترل عواطف و احساسات را پیدا و سفر تازه‌ای را در زندگی تجربه کنیم. وقتی از کتاب‌های انگیزشی صحبت به میان می‌آید ناخودآگاه یاد زندگی افراد موفق می‌افتیم. در این راستا، انتشارات شاکر، به تازگی و برای نخستین‌بار کتاب «اراده‌های آهنین» را که یکی از بهترین کتاب‌های حوزه موفقیت است، چاپ و روانه بازار نشر نموده است. نویسنده این کتاب دکتر اوریزن اسوت ماردن است که بیش از ۵۰ عنوان کتاب در حوزه موفقیت از خود به یادگار گذاشته است. وی موسس مجله SUCCESS در سال ۱۸۹۷ می‌باشد. «اراده‌های آهنین» پر است از قصه‌های واقعی انسان‌های بزرگی که از ته دره‌ی فقر و گمنامی مسیر زندگی خویش را شروع کرده‌اند و به قله‌های جاودانگی رسیده‌اند. بی‌شک، با خواندن این کتاب قوی‌تر می‌شوید و با روحیه‌ای آهنین در راه دستیابی به اهدافتان گام بر می‌دارید. باشد که روح و نام‌تان را در این دنیا جاودانه سازید.
October 31, 2025
inspiring in its belief in effort and good character. Its stories encourage perseverance, yet they assume everyone starts with the same chances in life. Useful as a glimpse into early self-help thinking, though its optimism feels a bit too neat for the real world.
December 13, 2016
If I could be granted just one wish that if enacted would change the futures of so many children, it would be that they all read any if not all of Orison Swett Marden’s books and this one with a strange sounding title is no exception. Eclectic School Readings; Stories of Life.
Marden’s books written in the late 1890s through 1911 include historical stories of men and women who fought through their varied environments to achieve success beyond measure and that have lived on years after their deaths but I sincerely doubt that today’s youths are aware of these stories. As I read through 5 if his books thus far, I have heard names of whom I am aware but not necessarily the stories behind the names. Marden writes about their lives not just their achievements. Who there were, what they had to endure, what they created and what became of them.
It would be difficult if not impossible to be moved by such stores and more importantly about the difficulties that many of the people he wrote about had to overcome that in today’s world may still exist but certainly not to the extent they existed in the 1600s and beyond. The stories would certainly put current “problems” into their proper perspective or at least I would hope so.
Marden describes times when women did not vote, could not attend universities which were for men only, where minorities who won independence as a result of the Civil War but were still not totally accepted in society, but more importantly he describes times when men, and women, were forced to grow up very early in their lives and take responsibility for their futures at the ages of 9 years old and above. Compare that to today’s youth who are afforded every opportunity to succeed but for whom many fail to see and seize such opportunity.
For example, most people know who Francis Scott Key is but do they know who Julia Ward Howe or who Samuel Francis Smith is? Of course you know but for those who may not, Howe drafted the poem/song The Battle Hymn of the Republic and Smith the poem/song America. These are just 3 of the many stories of history and success Marden describes only as he can.
What is so amazing is that most of Marden’s books are FREE on Amazon.com as Kindle editions. If they are not FREE they cost only 99 cents in either case they are truly PRICELESS. Read just one of his books and you will be hooked on Marden as I have become.
https://www.amazon.com/Eclectic-Schoo...
Marden’s books written in the late 1890s through 1911 include historical stories of men and women who fought through their varied environments to achieve success beyond measure and that have lived on years after their deaths but I sincerely doubt that today’s youths are aware of these stories. As I read through 5 if his books thus far, I have heard names of whom I am aware but not necessarily the stories behind the names. Marden writes about their lives not just their achievements. Who there were, what they had to endure, what they created and what became of them.
It would be difficult if not impossible to be moved by such stores and more importantly about the difficulties that many of the people he wrote about had to overcome that in today’s world may still exist but certainly not to the extent they existed in the 1600s and beyond. The stories would certainly put current “problems” into their proper perspective or at least I would hope so.
Marden describes times when women did not vote, could not attend universities which were for men only, where minorities who won independence as a result of the Civil War but were still not totally accepted in society, but more importantly he describes times when men, and women, were forced to grow up very early in their lives and take responsibility for their futures at the ages of 9 years old and above. Compare that to today’s youth who are afforded every opportunity to succeed but for whom many fail to see and seize such opportunity.
For example, most people know who Francis Scott Key is but do they know who Julia Ward Howe or who Samuel Francis Smith is? Of course you know but for those who may not, Howe drafted the poem/song The Battle Hymn of the Republic and Smith the poem/song America. These are just 3 of the many stories of history and success Marden describes only as he can.
What is so amazing is that most of Marden’s books are FREE on Amazon.com as Kindle editions. If they are not FREE they cost only 99 cents in either case they are truly PRICELESS. Read just one of his books and you will be hooked on Marden as I have become.
https://www.amazon.com/Eclectic-Schoo...
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews