Question about Egoism or Over-Ambition

[lokariototal]

I'm looking for a book about the dangers of being overambitious, about the dangers of being too selfish or egotistical.... what book do you recommend? I guess would be a "Tragedy" or something like that....

[Veva]

I believe that A Christmas Carrol by Dickens your best bet... besides it is significant right now... ;)

[dfloyd]

illustrates ambition gone wrong.

[dfloyd]

illustrates ambition gone wrong.

[Dr Jekyll]

Try this one: "The Egoist" by George Meredith

[Lokasenna]

Christopher Marlowe's Dr. Faustus is not only one of the absolute best Renaissance dramas, but its subject matter is highly compelling. If you've never read it, then it should be at the top of your list.

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein leaps immediately to mind as well...

[sixsmith]

'Sabbath's Theatre' - Philip Roth
'Money' - Martin Amis

[Hank Stamper]

i second frankenstein - victor shares all the three traits you are looking for

[Mariamosis]

Mark Twain's book 'Pudd'nhead Wilson' would be an excellent example of selfishness and egoism in a main character as would Oscar Wilde's 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'.

[kelby_lake]

Macbeth

[hellsapoppin]

Elmer Gantry

[hootrooster]

Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy