• The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie

  • By: Andrew Carnegie
  • Narrated by: Antony Ferguson
  • Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (415 ratings)

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The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie  By  cover art

The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie

By: Andrew Carnegie
Narrated by: Antony Ferguson
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Publisher's summary

Andrew Carnegie was an immigrant, a poor boy who worked in a cotton mill, a man who amassed a great fortune as a steel baron and then became one of the most generous and influential philanthropists the world has ever known. His famous dictum, that he who dies rich dies disgraced, has inspired philanthropists and philanthropic enterprises for generations. During his own lifetime, he put his ideas into action by creating a family of organizations that continue to work toward improving the human condition, advancing international peace, strengthening democracy, and creating societal progress that benefits men, women, and children in the United States and around the globe.Here, in his own words, Mr. Carnegie tells the dramatic story of his life and career, outlining the principles that he lived by and that today serve as the pillars of modern philanthropy.

Public Domain (P)2012 Tantor

What listeners say about The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The narration ruined it!!

I was disappointed because the book is great and written in such simple, articulate and easy language, however the narration is horrible! It is the same tone all the way that eventually my mind drifts away and he doesn't finish the sentences right so one might find two different stories narrated as if they are one!

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27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Why using such strong Scottish accent??

I see myself as pretty good at English (lived in Ireland 2 years and UK half year, although not native) but this accent made it difficult to follow. Never had this problem before... Useless and annoying...
Make sure you're native English before downloading this one if you don't want to reallllly have to focus

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Great story of a successful Builder Barron

Would you consider the audio edition of The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie to be better than the print version?

No

Would you be willing to try another book from Andrew Carnegie? Why or why not?

Yes. The information he shares about his personal growth and business success was very helpful.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I like that the performer used a Scottish accent. Carnegie was VERY Scottish. Unfortunately, the accent was not very authentic.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

A few stories made me admire Carnegie's mind and Scottish tenacity.

Any additional comments?

The first half of the book about his boyhood and business success is great! The second half where he gives away his fortune and meets the rich and famous of his day (who few in 2013 will recognize) was tiresome. The first half is worth the price/credit. Skip the second half.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

too much acent

I have always admired this man, although I know he was also ruthless in his earlier years. I was looking forward to this book and tried to stay with it for as long as I could. However, the narrator's accent was simply too strong to understand what he was saying much of the time. I stopped and returned the book.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The world's richest man...

Would you consider the audio edition of The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie to be better than the print version?

I don't see why anyone would read print anymore but if you're looking for a good reason to switch to audio, certainly having this book read in an awesome Scottish accent is worth it...

What did you like best about this story?

I loved hearing about his very humble beginnings. Very inspiring...

Which scene was your favorite?

When Andrew has a lowly post at the PA railroad and there is an emergency when he is by chance, and not by design, the only one in the shop. He takes it upon himself to deal with the crisis instead of waking up the manager. This taking of initiative is thrilling...

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I wouldn't call the book moving, just solid ,entertaining, instructive and sort of endearing.

Any additional comments?

This title is on several success literature classics lists and it's very clear why. AC seems very level headed, humble, and well able to write. I recommend this title!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This is a must listen/read.

Would you listen to The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie again? Why?

So many things were not told by someone else. His luck, enjoyment of achievement, and good will toward others are all brought forward.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Like listening to a conversation.

Listening to this book reminded me of when I sat at my great-grandmothers feet and listened to her reminisce. I love that the reader had a brogue. it made it seem more personal.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very interesting and inspiring book

Would you consider the audio edition of The Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie to be better than the print version?

Yes

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mr. Carnegie is my favorite character in this book, I especially admire him because of his humility and his love for peace and prosperity.

Have you listened to any of Antony Ferguson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but I was deeply touched by several chapters of this book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent, with Exceptions

First, the positives. Then, the shortcomings.

Carnegie was a sterling character. He had wonderful traits - hard-working, virtuous, exceptionally smart. It’s a great story, one that all citizens should read. Indeed, all new citizens should read. The values he brought to being an American. Superb!

Most of the pieces of the book are strong, too - how far he went with hard work, his care for others, the ways in which he thought people should treat each other.

Also, his accounts of business - ways in which he made great sums of money, the ways in which he handled people and then grew his business - all of this was as well just excellent.

His discussion of philanthropy, his and others, was outstanding.

The reading was excellent, too.

The only part that was subpar was his discussion of his doings with other powerful people, especially leaders of nations.

Much was good. It was great to learn of them through his eyes. BUT his judgment, as is too often the case of the rich, was often lacking. He knew a lot about business. But his expertise in affairs of state, not so much. He thought he knew more than he did. And others accorded him a spot at the table because he was powerful in wealth. But it was not as much because of wisdom in this area or earned expertise, of which he had little.

This reminds me of how much power is accorded the super-wealthy today in the policy arena. Much of it goes too far.

This couldn’t be proven any better than his poor judgment at the end, both of the German Emperor and of Woodrow Wilson. Was he being generous because it was deserved, or was it the way insiders treat each other. Very disappointing.

But, with this important caveat, this is a strong book.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Terrible annoying narration

The content itself is totally fine - the narration is really weird and annoying - sounds like a non-Scottish guy tries to speak with Scottish accent but in the end it just sounds like a American and slightly British accent with French R's.... plainly annoying... :)

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