Maksim Gorkij 
My Universities, Autobiography Part III 

The last volume in Gorky’s grand autobiographical trilogy, "My Universities" covers the years of the author’s adolescence. The narrative provides a candid, unflinching portrayal of one of Russia’s major revolutionary voices living among the impoverished and downtrodden of society. Throughout the narrative we follow Gorky as he takes on job after job and learns various life lessons that form the nucleus of his "university" education. The meticulous description of at first seemingly insignificant details reveal Gorky’s fine-tuned literary eye. A beautiful and realistic struggle of a man who hoped to tear down class barrier, and a call for compassion, this classic is a must-read. –