This is one of my favorite books. I've read it several times.
This book and "The Art of Worldly Wisdom" by Baltasar Gracian (http://www.sacred-texts.com/eso/aww/) are my two favorite books I've read repeatedly for over 20 years. It sounds very cheesy, but they are both like a road map for my life. Everyone knows about "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" but few have heard of Gracian. Paul, based on your essays that I've read, I think you would enjoy reading Gracian.
I remember reading this in high school, for a book report. It is a great source of inspiration. I'm glad it's now online. Thomas Edison is also one of the historical figures I admire most. (An online biography here: http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/world/readfile?fk_files=217855 or here: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/820/820-h/820-h.htm)
Thanks, I had never read this or known of its existence but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It's fascinating to read about pre-corporate capitalism.