This work tells the tale of Harvey S. Firestone, the founder of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, of his rise to fame and wealth and the ideals behind his success.

Firestone's philosophy is that a business that exists without a reason is due for an early death.

If you ask yourself why you are in business and can find no answer other than "I want to make money", you will save money by getting out of business and going to work for someone, for you are in business without sufficient reason.

The single reason for the existence of any business must be that it supplies a human need or want, and, if his experience is worth anything, a business which has this reason for its existence will be bound in the end to prosper if thought be put into it.