Samuel Smiles (1812 – 1904)

was a Scottish government reformer and author famous for arguing that progress can only arise from adapting to new attitudes and not by creating new laws. This volume is considered his masterpiece, within which he promotes thrift and argues that poverty is the result of irresponsible habits, materialism, and laissez-faire government. It is hailed as "the bible of mid-Victorian liberalism" and brought wide renown to Smiles overnight.

Other notable works by this author include: “Character” (1871), “Thrift” (1875), and “Duty” (1880). Contents include: “Self-Help: National and Individual”, “Leaders of Industry: Inventors and Producers”, “The Great Potters: Palissy, Bottgher, Wedgewood”, “Application and Perseverance”, “Helps and Opportunities: Scientific Pursuits”, “Workers in Art”, “Industry and the Peerage”, etc.

Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with the original text and artwork.