Look inside a biography and see yourself
On reading assignments, self-made characters, and two books every American kid should read before finishing high school
NPR asks its audience for "the books you read during high school that helped shape who you are today".
■ Nearly every American high schooler would benefit from reading "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" and "Up from Slavery" by Booker T. Washington. The merits of both books are two-fold: They tell necessary stories about our history while offering life advice that remains timely and relevant today.
■ Franklin tells the story of a young man with some extraordinary gifts who overcame early difficulties before growing into one of the country's most influential founders. Washington's story is one of the clearest depictions of the consequences of America's original sin, but it's much more transcendent than just that. His abilities were great, but his reservoir of character was even greater -- and is still worthy of emulation. For as self-made as Franklin could rightly claim to be, Washington was even moreso.
■ Franklin was intrinsically motivated to pursue greatness, and he achieved it. Washington was driven to serve others ("I began learning that those who are happiest are those who do the most for others. This lesson I have tried to carry with me ever since."). That both men were able to make vast contributions that still matter to America today speaks to the power of individual liberty, and what a person can do when both motivated and free.
