Coolidge

Just came across Coolidge, a book about Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States.

True story: When I changed my name from Lars to Calvin, I did so in large part because of Calvin Coolidge. I didn't know much about him, and I still don't, but the one thing I did know was this quote:

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

For many years of my life, I was struggling, and afraid that I'd never "make it". This quote was probably the number one thing that kept me going through the dark years.

I just read the blurb about the book, and it sounds like I might need to learn more about the guy. He sounds pretty impressive, aside from just the quote.