Books: Legendary American

BARUCH: MY OWN STORY (337 pp.)—Bernard M. Baruch—Henry Holt ($5).

When Bernard Baruch was ten, his mother took him to a phrenologist, one of the highly regarded head candlers of that day (1880). After palpating the bulges over the boy's eyebrows, the phrenologist turned to Mamma Baruch and asked: "And what do you propose to do with this young man?" Baruch's mother replied: "I am thinking of making him a doctor." "He will make a good doctor," the phrenologist agreed, "but my advice to you is to take him where they are doing big things—finance...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!