Orison Swett Marden 
Eclectic School Readings 
Stories from Life – A Book for Young People

“Eclectic School Readings” is a 1904 work by American writer Orison Swett Marden. Within it, Marden has briefly outlined various life stories from the lives of great historical figures in order to show to young people that—regardless of their circumstances or birth—they are able to live lives that are remembered in history book for generations. Contents include: “The Mill Boy of the Slashes”, “The Greek Slave Who Won the Olive Crown”, “He Aimed High and Hit the Mark”, “The Evolution of a Violinist”, “The Lesson of the Teakettle”, “How the Art of Printing was Discovered”, “Sea Fever and What it Led to”, “Gladstone Found Time to be Kind”, etc. Dr. Orison Swett Marden (1848–1924) was an American author of inspirational books. He wrote primarily on the subject of being successful and founded “SUCCESS” magazine in 1897. Marden’s books deal with attaining a fruitful and well-rounded life, with many of his ideas being based on the New Thought movement.