Vash Young

Vash Young was an American author of motivational and self-improvement books with a popular following during the Great Depression. (His first name was Vashni, but throughout his life he seems to have preferred Vash.) His writings, especially his last book Fortunes for All reveal much of his early life.

Early life

Vash was born in Salt Lake City in 1889. His paternal great-grandfather was a brother of Brigham Young and was reputedly instrumental in founding the Mormon settlement. Vash Young's early life was one of deprivation and hardship. His father was more often absent than not, and his mother died when he was only 12. Vash's schooling was cut short as he had to help support the family - including three younger siblings - then living with his grandparents. Tragedy struck again when his grandmother died and he left Salt Lake City at 16 years of age to seek his fortune in Chicago where his older brother was then living. He struggled to find employment initially due to his lack of education and basic numeracy. He eventually moved to New York where he continued to battle depression, self-doubt and failure until the revelation that turned him into a success. His philosophy placed great emphasis on helping others, and a series of books were one expression of this.

Publications

Vash wrote A Fortune to Share. in 1931 soon after the change in his fortunes. This soon became a bestseller. This was followed in short order by Let's Start Over Again, No Thank You, The Go-Giver and Be Kind to Yourself, all published by Bobs-Merrill and written with the aid of co-authors. His last book Fortunes for All, written much later while Vash was in active retirement at the age of 70, was intended to put together the background, philosophy and methods that had secured his fortune as a handbook for generations to follow. Unlike his earlier works Fortunes for All was entirely his own work.