Biographies of Working Men

"Biographies of Working Men" by Grant Allen is a book sharing the inspiring stories of people from regular backgrounds who achieved great things through their commitment and effort. Opening with the story of Thomas Telford, who went from being a simple stonemason to a famous engineer, the book kicks off by showing how important it is to keep trying and how much education and wanting to succeed can change your life. The book paints a picture of Telford's early days in a tough, lonely part of Scotland, where his mom worked extra hard to help him after his dad passed away, teaching him to value hard work and learning. Even though he didn't have an easy start, Telford was always interested in how things worked. The book tells us about his school days, his time learning to be a stonemason, and how reading and early jobs pushed him to become a leading civil engineer in Britain, working on impressive projects like the Holyhead Road and the Menai Suspension Bridge. The initial story motivates readers, proving anyone can do amazing things, no matter where they start.