The Gospel of Andrew Carnegie

For thirty-five years after the Civil War, the. United States of America sustained the greatest period of economic growth of any country in history. Its wealth quadrupled. Fifth among the world's major powers in 1865, it was first by 1901. Its citizenry came to believe that nothing was impossible and that anything wrong could be made right, provided enough energy was provided to the problem.

One of the great symbols of American wealth and dynamism was a slight, Scottish immigrant with pale, penetrating eyes and a broad nose. Andrew Carnegie rose to fame and fortune in a way that made Horatio Alger look phlegmatic. After retiring from business activity, he donated some $350 million to philanthropic causes and shipped free Scotch whisky to the White House.