A 4-year-old boy came into the library today. It was his birthday and he was wearing his new Batman shirt and cape and was looking for superhero books. It’s wonderful to find our heroes in books, whether they are the obvious ones like Batman or one of my heroes Dale Carnegie. Ever heard of him? No? How about the title How to Win Friends and Influence People? Carnegie’s the genius behind this gem of a book. Once you read it, you’ll find it no surprise that this title, according to the Wikipedia article, has sold 15 million copies world-wide since its original publication in 1936. (I actually think this number is higher, but 15 million is good enough to make the point that this is a well-read book).

This is my second time experiencing this book. I read it years ago and am now listening to it on my iPhone. The free downloadable version available from the Library via the Overdrive platform is fantastic and inspiring. The book is a treatise on how to get along with people, how to improve yourself and your relationships with others, how important it is to see the other point of view, how to be happy in your work and your personal life. Carnegie essentially reteaches us the golden rule—treat others as you wish to be treated. While How to Win Friends is generally found on every “best books for managers” list, it’s not just for business professionals. I promise you, it’s for you.

Thinking you don’t need improvement like this, I challenge you to think again. I once thought the same thing. Just try it. Maybe Carnegie will become one of your heroes, too.

To get a copy, Search the Catalog or Find an EBook (or eAudio) at udpl.org.