In giving the public the story of his life, William J. Bryan trusts he may be credited with something more than a desire to acquaint the public with himself. It is his purpose to show that in his own case good fortune has had more to do with such success as he may have achieved than any efforts of his own. His second purpose is to show the goodness of the American people, their patriotism, their moral courage, their high ideals, their willingness to sacrifice for their convictions - the virtues that not only make popular government possible but insure its success. Illustrated throughout.