TODAY IN LITERARY HISTORY: November 24 Happy Birthday Dale Carnegie (1888–1955)

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Dale Carnegie reshaped modern ideas about communication, persuasion, and personal success. His landmark book ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ (1936) became one of the best-selling nonfiction titles of all time and remains a foundational text in leadership, business culture, and personal development. Carnegie believed that understanding human nature — truly listening, showing genuine interest, and offering encouragement — was the key to transforming both personal and professional relationships.

His Carnegie Courses, launched in the early 1910s, helped everyday people overcome fear, speak confidently, and motivate others. The influence of his work ripple through corporate training, public speaking programs, and motivational literature to this day.

Did You Know?
• Before becoming a global figure, Carnegie grew up on a Missouri farm and practiced speeches while milking cows.

• His first big break came when he taught public speaking at a YMCA — without prepared lessons. He simply asked students to talk about something that made them angry. It worked.

• Carnegie never spelled his last name “Carnegie” originally — he changed it from “Carnagey,” partly because Andrew Carnegie’s name carried prestige.


• How to Win Friends and Influence People was an instant hit: the first edition sold out in less than a week … and if you ever spot a 1936 first printing with the original jacket tucked away somewhere, don’t blink — you may be holding a small fortune.

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