He carried this phase of his leadership even further than the current press, in that he made some notable contributions to the historical literature of his race. The first book he wrote was “Up from Slavery.” This is one of the greatest pieces of literature published in America. The Hon. Walter H. Page, late Ambassador to Great Britain, said: “The only books that I have read a second time or ever cared to read in the whole list (of literature relating to the negro) are ‘Uncle Remus,’ and ‘Up from Slavery,’ for these are the great literature of the subject.”[31] Believing the accomplishments of the race should be better known to his own people, Washington determined to write a history of the Negro. “The Story of the Negro—the Rise of the Race from Slavery” was the title of the book he wrote, setting forth the wonderful progress of his people. Other books by him were, “My Larger Education,” “Learning with the Hands,”—about eleven titles in all. These books are of high literary merit, and in no other way, perhaps, did Washington so definitely place himself as a leader of his people as in the realm of authorship. These books, in addition to their literary value, were of great benefit to the white race as well as to his own race, in getting before all the people a proper estimate of the real accomplishments of the negro. One of the most important phases of his leadership of the negro was in the organization of the _National Negro Business League_. It was one of Washington’s strongest beliefs that the negro must prove himself able to exist and prosper in business matters. The race—individually and collectively—must demonstrate its ability to take care of itself in all phases of industrial life. Another of his important principles was that the negro should emphasize his opportunities rather than his drawbacks. As he went about the country, he noted the wonderful progress made by the negro in all lines of business. He felt that it would be a great inspiration to those who had achieved success or leadership to know each other, and a still greater encouragement to all the people if they knew the real progress being made. Acting upon these ideas, he called a meeting of representatives of a large number of businesses to be held in Boston, in August, 1900. Here was organized the _National Negro Business League_. Washington was made president and continued to hold this office until his death in 1915.