A Scottish-American industrialist, Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919) made his fortune in the steel industry. Founder of Carnegie Steel Company, he played a key role in the industrialization of the United States. As one of the wealthiest men in the world during his time, he is known to this day for his large-scale philanthropy, funding universities, libraries, and scientific research. He believed strongly in philanthropic efforts and wealth distribution, which he articulated in his essay “The Gospel of Wealth.”

In this book, Carnegie outlines three primary ways to dispose of surplus wealth:

1. Leaving it to family,

2. Bequeathing it for public purposes,

3. Using it during your lifetime for public good.

Throughout the book, he strongly advocates for the third option, as original owners should be best positioned to allocate their resources most effectively to improve society. He critiques inheritances for descendants as this can do more harm than good, contributing to a lack of ambition and, in some cases, laziness. He also argues that gifting money to the state could lead to mismanagement and more waste than necessary.

Overall, he encourages the fortunate to engage in philanthropy, support public institutions such as libraries, schools, and universities, and invest in initiatives that promote the well-being of others. The book reflects Carnegie’s belief in social responsibility, the importance of self-made success, and the idea that the wealthy should act as stewards of their fortune to ensure it benefits society as a whole.