Truth, said Lord Byron, is stranger than fiction. He was right, for so it is. Another has declared that if any man should write a faithful history of his own career, the work would be an interesting one. The question now arises, does any man dare to be sufficiently candid to write such a work? Is there no secret baseness he would hide? - no act which, proper to be told, he would swerve from the truth to tell in his own favor? Undoubtedly, many. Doubtless it is well that few have the resolution or inclination to chronicle their faults and failings. How many, too, would shrink from making a...

Fifteen Years in Hell Is the 1885 autobiography of Luther Benson. Benson struggled with alcohol most of his life. His drinking led to his leaving college. Benson made a promise to his mother to not drink, but as so many addicts do he broke his word. This is his story and it is more importantly a plea to others to not follow in his path. His introduction says, ""FIFTEEN YEARS IN HELL," may, to some, seem irreverent or profane, but let me assure any such that it is the mildest I can find which conveys an idea of the facts. Expect nothing ornate or romantic. The path along which you who...