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The Secret of The Secret: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Runaway Bestseller
The bestselling blockbuster The Secret by Rhonda Byrnes has taken America by storm. The Secret of "The Secret" explores the explosive success of The Secret as well as the intriguing people and ideas behind it.
The Secret has already become a runaway sensation. All across America, people are clamoring to embrace it. Karen Kelly delves into this extraordinary phenomenon -- What IS the secret? Where did it come from and does it really work?
The Secret of "The Secret" also investigates why this little book, particularly in America, has struck such a chord--does hope always spring eternal in the U.S.? What is it about our culture that has historically drawn us to seek answers and change our destiny using the power of the mind and the universe? Scholars and popular culture experts provide perspective on what makes the idea so appealing.
Several participants from The Secret share their behind-the-scenes stories and insights. Renowned psychologists, scientists, and theologians, weigh in on the power and limits of positive thinking and The Law of Attraction (the basis behind The Secret). Uncover the scientific and religious roots that form the building blocks of The Secret, as experts evaluate the author's claims about the various connections between these principles and "the secret."
Finally, the answers to the burning questions behind one of the biggest success stories of our time have arrived. Discover The Secret of "The Secret."
The Secret has already become a runaway sensation. All across America, people are clamoring to embrace it. Karen Kelly delves into this extraordinary phenomenon -- What IS the secret? Where did it come from and does it really work?
The Secret of "The Secret" also investigates why this little book, particularly in America, has struck such a chord--does hope always spring eternal in the U.S.? What is it about our culture that has historically drawn us to seek answers and change our destiny using the power of the mind and the universe? Scholars and popular culture experts provide perspective on what makes the idea so appealing.
Several participants from The Secret share their behind-the-scenes stories and insights. Renowned psychologists, scientists, and theologians, weigh in on the power and limits of positive thinking and The Law of Attraction (the basis behind The Secret). Uncover the scientific and religious roots that form the building blocks of The Secret, as experts evaluate the author's claims about the various connections between these principles and "the secret."
Finally, the answers to the burning questions behind one of the biggest success stories of our time have arrived. Discover The Secret of "The Secret."
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
6 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 18, 2009
Well-researched, insightful, critical look at the ideas behind "The Secret", and why the book is so popular today. Firmly dispenses with "quantum quackery", and traces the origin of the fuzzy "law of attraction" from Benjamin Franklin through the New Thought movement, touching on peripheral links to various religions and giving a nod to the validity of positive psychology, cognitive behaviour therapy, etc. Even if you would NEVER deign to read "The Secret", this is a genuinely interesting read.
May 20, 2016
It was neat to hear a different POV on one of my favourites. Not good or bad...just another POV.
January 17, 2025
At chapter 3 and on this became a research paper and extremely boring to me. Chapters four and on just became background noise. With 45 minutes of the audiobook left I wanted to return it to the library - but I wanted to mark the book as complete so I continued to listen.
This really was a book of the author naming other books and authors who are also LOA practitioners.
In the early chapters the author points out a couple of “key points missing” from
The Secret, but I was hoping this book would
provide more.
This really was a book of the author naming other books and authors who are also LOA practitioners.
In the early chapters the author points out a couple of “key points missing” from
The Secret, but I was hoping this book would
provide more.
February 16, 2021
Scathingly critical appraisal of Rhonda Byrne’s bestselling book and DVD, The Secret. Kelly oversimplifies Byrne’s thesis by claiming that you only have to think things into being without taking any action. Not so! She does, however, provide a helpful summary of Think and Grow Rich literature, including the work of Napoleon Hill, W. Clement Stone, and Walter Wattles.
January 17, 2020
Was better than the secret. It was an interesting look into religion.. easy money making strategies and social movement etc. Was still very relevant and I read it quickly
February 4, 2017
Some of you may have heard of 'The Secret' by Rhonda Byrne. In case you haven't, it is a New Age style self-help book. The main message can be paraphrased into something resembling a popular colloqialism, "If you think it, it will come".
I spend time with a wonderful group of people, who are smart, sensational, caring, generous, kind and gentle. I can't say enough good things about these people. They introduced me to the aforementioned DVD and book, The Secret. So I watched and read The Secret.
Recently however, I found a copy of 'The Secret of the Secret', which discusses the claims within the pages of 'The Secret' and the history of the ideology, which is fascinating, because according to the author, Karen Kelly, it comes from socialism and Christian Science. Who knew?!
This book reviews three different areas: the psychological basis, the science and the support by deceased respected community leaders. In each area, The Secret is debunked. You come away from reading this book with an understanding of the manipulation and marketing ploys Rhonda Byrne has used to increase her wealth. It's a great marketing read!
The one criticism I have of this book(The Secret of The Secret) is that the section on the history of New Age/New Thought industry development is too short! I wanted to read more!!!!! I think you can write an entire history on this, including Deepak Chopra, Anthony Robbins, A Course in Miracles, Ian Gawler, the Golden Bough, the Masons, etc. It could be absolutely fascinating! The history of selling hope to our civilisation. It'd be awesome!
Early in 2007, I was called negative and unethical, and this has stuck with me. I think perhaps recommending The Secret of the Secret may be perceived as being negative and unethical, and yet, I think I will persist. I think this book brings balance and reality, where some seem to be seriously missing.
I thoroughly recommend this short read, at 212pp.
I spend time with a wonderful group of people, who are smart, sensational, caring, generous, kind and gentle. I can't say enough good things about these people. They introduced me to the aforementioned DVD and book, The Secret. So I watched and read The Secret.
Recently however, I found a copy of 'The Secret of the Secret', which discusses the claims within the pages of 'The Secret' and the history of the ideology, which is fascinating, because according to the author, Karen Kelly, it comes from socialism and Christian Science. Who knew?!
This book reviews three different areas: the psychological basis, the science and the support by deceased respected community leaders. In each area, The Secret is debunked. You come away from reading this book with an understanding of the manipulation and marketing ploys Rhonda Byrne has used to increase her wealth. It's a great marketing read!
The one criticism I have of this book(The Secret of The Secret) is that the section on the history of New Age/New Thought industry development is too short! I wanted to read more!!!!! I think you can write an entire history on this, including Deepak Chopra, Anthony Robbins, A Course in Miracles, Ian Gawler, the Golden Bough, the Masons, etc. It could be absolutely fascinating! The history of selling hope to our civilisation. It'd be awesome!
Early in 2007, I was called negative and unethical, and this has stuck with me. I think perhaps recommending The Secret of the Secret may be perceived as being negative and unethical, and yet, I think I will persist. I think this book brings balance and reality, where some seem to be seriously missing.
I thoroughly recommend this short read, at 212pp.
February 4, 2010
Measured critique of 'The Secret" - a book whose only secret is why anyone buys it. This acts as a nicely written history of the law of attraction/positive thinking concepts. It highlights one of the most important aspects of this philosophy which is to think, believe, ACT and recieve. "The secret" seems to create this magical expectation that no action or hard work is required. It also seems to think the rewards are materialistic hence all those ghastly vision boards of ferraris, versace and venice. Maybe people could just live good, caring thoughtful lives???
The main pleasure in reading this book was the way she carefully identifies the made up or misquoted sayings from people as diverse as Churchill, Einstien and Emerson. "The Secret" is a shameless manipulation of peoples greed and gullibility.
The main pleasure in reading this book was the way she carefully identifies the made up or misquoted sayings from people as diverse as Churchill, Einstien and Emerson. "The Secret" is a shameless manipulation of peoples greed and gullibility.
March 3, 2010
Being passionate about the pursuit of happiness may be more essential than having happiness. This is not just positive thinking, but being stretched fully, living with intention, embracing creative efforts and the thrill of achievement - and not just wishing for a desired object or outcome.
November 11, 2008
wonderful book! insightful and a great read
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews