HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1936. Very good in good jacket.. Rare first printing of the iconic self-help book, "one of the most successful books in American history" (Emmeche). Developed from his YMCA public speaking course and published during the Great Depression, HOW TO WIN FRIENDS offered hope in an era of pessimism. Carnegie argued that readers could improve their lives through changing their own mindset, regardless of outside forces. In the Depression, "not only did people lose their savings; they lost their pride and sense of control. That is exactly what Carnegie gave them back" (McHugh, 227). HOW TO WIN FRIENDS emphasized confidence and self reliance, while offering the tools of business etiquette and modern psychology. All these combined to form a foundational blueprint for how to achieve success in the modern American landscape.

HOW TO WIN FRIENDS is incredibly scarce in the original dust jacket. It was initially titled HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE, but "make" did not fit well on the first edition's cover design, so Carnegie changed it to "win" (McHugh, 228). After a modest print run of three thousand copies, it hit the NYT best-seller list, going into dozens of printings within the first few years. A rarity in the the true first printing of this American touchstone. 7.75'' x 5''. Original red cloth stamped in gilt to spine and front board. In original unclipped ($2.00) photographic dust jacket, "Chicago University" on front flap. 337, [5] pages. Pencil owner name to front fly leaf; a few self improvement-related pencil notes to final leaves (e.g. "study astronomy"). Jacket with moderate chipping primarily around spine ends, long closed tear to front fold, rubbing. Book with light sunning and soil; hinges firm.