I particularly like Aristotle Onassis. Especially when he was in South America and was working two jobs in order to survive and learn. Note worthy accomplishments - tobacco fortune, shipping fortune, own airline, married JFK's widow. Lessons I learned from reading about him: 1. if throwing dinner party, eat before hand so you have more time to talk while other people are eating. 2. Don't be afraid to fail as long as you commit to it and fail big. 3. Learn how to harness the power of OPM (other people's money)