Little Visits with Great Americans, Vol. 2 (of 2): Or Success, Ideals and How to Attain Them

In Short

This volume is an earnest, didactic survey of success as defined by the American and Canadian elite at the turn of the 20th century. Through a series of interviews and profiles, it catalogs the habits, work ethics, and philosophies of industrialists, artists, military leaders, and statesmen. While ostensibly a biography collection, it functions primarily as a guide for self-improvement, advocating for relentless industry, methodical study, and moral fortitude. Its lasting interest lies in its transparency regarding the era's obsession with quantifiable achievement and the upward mobility of the "self-made" archetype.

The Story

The narrative arc of the book is defined by the steady progression from obscurity to prominence. It begins with the premise that success is not merely a matter of luck but an attainable outcome of disciplined application. The opening accounts focus on those who began with little, such as newsboys and telegraph operators, who navigated the turbulent economic landscape of the late 19th century through sheer persistence. These figures, like Hugh Chisholm or Henry Siegel, represent the triumph of the individual over circumstance. They are depicted as having the foresight to capitalize on burgeoning industries, such as newspaper distribution or the nascent department store model, turning modest beginnings into vast commercial empires.

As the book progresses, the focus shifts from pure commerce to the arts and public service. The accounts of musicians like John Philip Sousa or the De Reszke brothers illustrate a different kind of labor: the rigorous, often grueling training required to master a craft. Their stories highlight the necessity of professional resilience, particularly when faced with rejection or the daunting demands of international performance tours. Simultaneously, the book integrates the experiences of statesmen and military figures, such as Wilfrid Laurier or Fred Funston. Their stories pivot on the importance of conviction, intellectual preparation, and the ability to act decisively in moments of crisis.

The trajectory concludes by examining the role of education and institutional leadership, featuring university heads and physicians like Dr. William Osler. Here, the definition of success expands to include social utility and the "broad humanities." The final segments emphasize that the ultimate goal of individual achievement is to become a useful member of society. By the end of the volume, the reader is left with a synthesis of these varied paths. Whether through the accumulation of capital, the mastery of a musical score, or the navigation of political bureaucracy, the consistent message is that success is a life-long project of self-cultivation. The book does not present these lives as static examples but as evolving processes, where each individual must continually refine their purpose and adapt to new responsibilities, ultimately framing a life of "usefulness" as the only true measure of one's impact on the world.

How It Unfolds

The foundation of industry The book establishes the necessity of early labor and methodical study through the lives of men like Hugh Chisholm, who rose from a newsboy to an industrial magnate. It emphasizes that these individuals treated their early, minor roles as essential training grounds for future commercial dominance.

The rigors of artistry The narrative transitions to the creative sector, where the focus moves from financial accumulation to the discipline of performance. Figures like John Philip Sousa and Emma Eames describe how they transformed natural talent into a career through intense practice and the navigation of the global entertainment market.

The test of public service The chapters dedicated to statesmen and military officers, such as Wilfrid Laurier and Fred Funston, explore the intersection of personal conviction and national duty. These accounts argue that success in the public sphere requires deep preparation, the ability to debate effectively, and the courage to act under fire.

The culmination of social utility The concluding sections reflect on the final stage of a successful life, where personal ambition gives way to the broader duty of educating the next generation. Through figures like Dr. William Osler, the book frames the highest form of achievement as the synthesis of professional expertise and service to the community.

The People

The book features a wide array of figures, each embodying a specific virtue of the "successful" life. Hugh Chisholm and Henry Siegel represent the triumph of the mercantile spirit, transforming minor roles into large-scale commercial networks through systematic expansion. In contrast, John Philip Sousa and the De Reszke brothers embody the dedicated specialist, showing how musical talent demands not just inspiration, but the endurance to survive long, exhausting tours and the rejection of early operatic failures.

Wilfrid Laurier and Fred Funston stand as archetypes of the public figure. Laurier exemplifies the power of political oratory and steady growth within the party system, while Funston represents the "man of action" who rises through the ranks due to singular acts of valor and adaptability in foreign conflicts. Dr. William Osler serves as the intellectual anchor of the collection, advocating for a balance between rigorous scientific study and the "broad humanities." Finally, Emma Eames highlights the difficult path of the prima donna, illustrating how one must learn to control one's nerves and adapt to the fickle tastes of audiences to reach the top of the operatic world. These individuals are rarely static; they grow from uncertain beginners into confident masters of their respective fields.

In Its Own Voice

The book frames the development of one's professional ideas as a deliberate, conscious process rather than an accident of nature.

“I deliberately sit down and study out my idea; when it is formed, I begin to draw.”

— F. Opper, the caricaturist, describes the method behind his creative process.

The author emphasizes that professional success is a burden and a responsibility that must be maintained through continuous, active engagement with the world.

“There’s nothing, to my mind, so pathetic as a girl who thinks she can’t do anything, and is of no use to the world.”

— An interviewee, discussing the necessity of activity and the danger of stagnation for young women.

The book frequently points to the necessity of intellectual preparation as the primary defense against the uncertainties of public debate.

“I am usually able to maintain the positions I take in argument, for the reason that I am always careful to fortify myself with facts and with as extensive a general knowledge of the subject as possible.”

— Mr. Borden explains the strategy behind his rise in Parliament.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book explores the anxiety of purpose. It attempts to answer the question of how an individual can justify their existence through measurable output. The underlying argument is that "success" is a moral obligation to society, and that idleness is a failing of character. It treats the human life as a business enterprise where the assets—time, intellect, and physical energy—must be managed with extreme efficiency. The chapters collectively posit that personal happiness is secondary to, or perhaps an inevitable byproduct of, a well-ordered and productive life. It is an exploration of the "self-made" myth, asserting that through the correct application of virtues like "stick-to-a-tiveness" and methodical study, any individual can transcend their circumstances.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of American thought will find this volume a fascinating window into the late Victorian and Edwardian mindset. The book serves as a time capsule of an era that viewed meritocracy with absolute, unblinking faith. It is not a light read; the prose is dense, occasionally preachy, and reflective of the rigid social attitudes of its time, particularly regarding the roles of women and the immigrant experience.

However, the experience of reading it is strangely compelling because of its earnestness. It captures a specific, confident voice that is almost entirely absent from modern self-help literature. You will not find the irony or emotional vulnerability of contemporary biographies here. Instead, you encounter a relentless, almost mechanical focus on progress. The value in reading it today lies in observing how the "ideal" American life was constructed and promoted at the turn of the century. It is a portrait of a society that was rapidly industrializing and looking for heroes who could translate that chaos into order. If you can move past the period-specific moralizing, you will find a treasure trove of anecdotes about how the titans of the era justified their own ascent and how they sought to pass that "success" on to a new generation.