How They Succeeded - 15. GENERAL LEW WALLACE - FASCINATING STORY - Life Stories of Successful Men - Orison Swett Marden (1901)

How They Succeeded - 15. GENERAL LEW WALLACE - A FASCINATING STORY - Life Stories of Successful Men - Orison Swett Marden (1901) - HQ Full Book.In Chapter 15 of How They Succeeded, Orison Swett Marden turns his attention to the multifaceted life of General Lew Wallace, a man whose achievements span the realms of law, politics, military service, diplomacy, and literature. Best known today as the author of the celebrated novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, Wallace’s life story is a remarkable testament to perseverance, creative ambition, and the refusal to be limited by any one identity. In this chapter, Marden paints a rich and inspiring portrait of a man who turned failure into triumph, and whose life exemplifies the rewards of self-discipline, intellectual curiosity, and unrelenting determination.  Marden begins the chapter by situating Wallace within the larger theme of the book: success achieved through effort rather than privilege. Wallace was born in 1827 in Brookville, Indiana, the son of a prominent politician and lawyer. Despite his advantageous start, he was far from a prodigy in his early years. Wallace was restless, indifferent to formal education, and often dismissed by teachers for his lack of application. He was a dreamer, more interested in stories and adventure than in arithmetic or classical studies. Yet this apparent liability would later become one of his greatest strengths: Wallace’s early fascination with storytelling and action paved the way for his success as a novelist and thinker.  Marden explores Wallace’s military career with admiration. Wallace volunteered to fight in the Mexican-American War as a young man and later played a key role as a Union general during the Civil War. Though his record was mixed—he was controversially blamed for delays at the Battle of Shiloh—Wallace’s military service was characterized by boldness and integrity. He did not allow criticism to destroy him. Instead, he learned from it, grew stronger, and remained devoted to his duties. Marden emphasizes that Wallace’s response to adversity was one of the qualities that made him successful: he viewed setbacks not as reasons to quit, but as opportunities for personal transformation.  Following his military service, Wallace turned to public service and diplomacy. He served as the governor of the New Mexico Territory and later as U.S. minister to the Ottoman Empire. These roles might have been enough to define the career of an ambitious man, but Wallace had a broader vision. Even while involved in politics and law, he nurtured a deep love for literature and storytelling. Marden describes Wallace as a man whose imagination burned steadily in the background of his life—never quenched by the practical demands of his many careers.  The real turning point in Wallace’s story—and the part Marden finds most “fascinating”—is his transition into authorship. While on a train, Wallace engaged in a theological debate with the noted agnostic Colonel Robert Ingersoll. The conversation revealed to Wallace how little he actually knew about the life of Christ, even though he considered himself a man of culture and principle. Determined to learn more, he began an intensive personal study of the historical context and religious significance of Jesus’ life. What began as a study soon evolved into a passion project, and eventually, into his magnum opus: Ben-Hur.  Published in 1880, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ became an international phenomenon. It was not only a gripping historical novel but also a deeply spiritual work that resonated with readers across America and Europe. Marden emphasizes that Wallace wrote the novel in moments stolen from his busy schedule. He often worked at night, in the early morning, or during brief periods of solitude, showing extraordinary discipline and devotion. His success as an author did not come from idle inspiration but from relentless effort, careful research, and an authentic desire to uncover truth and beauty through fiction.  Marden admires how Wallace remained modest and reflective even in the face of such tremendous success. Despite the fame Ben-Hur brought him, Wallace did not view himself as a literary genius but rather as a diligent worker who had found the right subject at the right time. He did not write for profit or applause but to satisfy a deep intellectual and spiritual yearning. In this, Marden finds one of the essential traits of all truly successful men: they are driven not by superficial rewards but by a deeper inner calling.  The chapter also explores Wallace’s views on success itself. In conversation with Marden, Wallace emphasizes the value of tenacity, honesty, and continuous self-education. He believed that no man should consider himself too old or too busy to learn something new or to pursue a dream. He credited much of his own success to the habit of reading widely and thinking independently. Wallace’s life, in Marden’s telling, is a rebuttal to the idea that specialization is the only path to excellence. Wallace succeeded in many domains because he refused to confine himself to one.  One of the most poignant elements of this chapter is Marden’s depiction of Wallace’s humility. Even as he held high-ranking positions and was celebrated for his literary achievements, Wallace remained approachable, curious, and generous with his time. He saw himself as a servant of the public and of truth, rather than a celebrity or master of others. His story is a reminder that character matters as much as competence in the pursuit of a meaningful life.  In closing, Marden reflects on the timeless appeal of Wallace’s journey. His is not merely a story of a soldier or a novelist or a diplomat, but of a man who succeeded by living fully and learning continuously. The “fascinating story” is not just about external accomplishments, but about inner evolution—the process by which a boy dismissed as lazy became a man remembered as great.   Wallace’s life, as portrayed in this chapter, encapsulates Marden’s core philosophy: that success is available to anyone willing to work hard, think deeply, and live with purpose. Whether through the sword, the pen, or the voice of diplomacy, Lew Wallace exemplified what it means to live a life of breadth, impact, and honor.    SuccessStories OrisonSwettMarden BiographicalAccounts InspirationalLiterature PersonalDevelopment AchievingGreatness MotivationalReads OvercomingAdversity Resilience PositiveMindset Triumph&Perseverance Self-HelpClassics LessonsfromSuccessfulMen UnyieldingDedication HistoricalFigures AmbitionandHardWork AmbitionandDetermination HumanPotential PathtoSuccess EmpoweringNarratives