Sam "the Alchemist" Proler created his American Dream from nothing more than ambition, sweat, and chutzpah-and this is his story. Born to poor, newly immigrated parents in 1917, Proler is a first-generation American who made the most of the opportunities he found and created. With only an eighth-grade education, he became one of the best-known twentieth century entrepreneurs and inventors in his field. At twelve, he helped his father in the family's backyard junk business. Soon, the motivated teen parlayed that into the foundation of his future empire. By his eighteenth birthday, he was...

Sam "the Alchemist" Proler created his American Dream from nothing more than ambition, sweat, and chutzpah-and this is his story. Born to poor, newly immigrated parents in 1917, Proler is a first-generation American who made the most of the opportunities he found and created. With only an eighth-grade education, he became one of the best-known twentieth century entrepreneurs and inventors in his field. At twelve, he helped his father in the family's backyard junk business. Soon, the motivated teen parlayed that into the foundation of his future empire. By his eighteenth birthday, he was...