When Thomas Sowell left home at seventeen, all he had in the world fitted into a single suitcase. While he looked for work he often had nothing to eat, save for some stale bread and a little jam. But he refused to give in to despair or self-pity. He was determined to make his life better on his own, without favors from anyone. Thomas Sowell went on to become a famous thinker, inspiring millions with his writings on self-reliance, the free market and personal responsibility. His incredible life story is no less inspiring than his ideas.