Discovering electricity. Ending up the richest man in the world. Becoming a candidate for sainthood. Leading the fight for Civil Rights. Getting inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Revolutionizing consumer digital electronics. These accomplishments are at the heart of the stories of seven incredibly diverse individuals who epitomize the American Dream. There is something particularly magical about dreams, or rather the possibility of achieving your dreams in America, the land of opportunity. American Dream Stories: Elements of Success explores the lives and success of Ben Franklin, Andrew Carnegie, Dorothy Day, Malcolm X, Patti Smith, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Steve Jobs. Looking at their lives, offering definitions, and establishing themes, the Naval Academy midshipmen authors of this essay collection examine the nature of the American Dream, success, and what both mean to Americans.