With nearly 2,500 stores spread across the land, Wal-Mart has become an instantly recognizable and ubiquitous component of American popular culture. There are few places in this country anymore that are beyond a short drive to a Wal-Mart. With upwards of 50,000 different items on the shelves and racks of a typical store, Wal-Mart has literally changed the way Americans shop.

The phenomenal success of Wal-Mart has been the direct result of the vision and energy of its late founder, Sam Walton. His motivation and charisma alone shaped a company which helped to establish discount merchandising as the major form of retail operation in this country. His highly personal management style and folksy, down-home demeanor were instrumental in assembling a fiercely loyal work force and maintaining high employee morale.

Samuel Moore Walton (1918-1992) was born near Kingfisher, Oklahoma, into a farm family. He grew up in Missouri and graduated in...