James Allen (28 November 1864 - 24 January 1912) was a British philosophical writer known for his inspirational books and poetry and as a pioneer of the self-help movement. His best known work, As a Man Thinketh, has been mass-produced since its publication in 1903. It has been a source of inspiration to motivational and self-help authors.Born in Leicester, England, into a working-class family, Allen was the elder of two brothers. His mother could neither read nor write. His father, William, was a factory knitter. In 1879 following a downturn in the textile trade of central England, Allen's father travelled alone to America to find work and establish a new home for the family. Within two days of arriving his father was pronounced dead at New York City Hospital, believed to be a case of robbery and murder. At age fifteen, with the family now facing economic disaster, Allen was forced to leave school and find work.
Allen was 15 when his father, a businessman, was robbed and murdered. He left school to work full-time in several British manufacturing firms to help support the family. He later married Lily L. Allen and became an executive secretary for a large company. At age 38, inspired by the writings of Leo Tolstoy, he retired from employment. Allen — along with his wife and their daughter, Nohra — moved to a small cottage in Ilfracombe, Devon, England to pursue a simple life of contemplation. There he wrote for nine years, producing 19 works. He also edited and published a magazine, "The Light of Reason".
Allen's books illustrate the use of the power of thought to increase personal capabilities. Although he never achieved great fame or wealth, his works continue to influence people around the world, including the New Thought movement.
Allen's most famous book, As a Man Thinketh, was published in 1902. It is now considered a classic self-help book. Its underlying premise is that noble thoughts make a noble person, while lowly thoughts make a miserable person.
Following his death in 1912, his wife continued publishing the magazine under the name, "The Epoch".
There is a lot of wisdom in these 365 Meditations. I am not much good at reading one each day, but it did take me several months to get through this long book. Did give me things to think about.
James Allen was a Wonderful Soul--His inspiring thoughts are calming and at times powerfully moving in our daily world of hustle and bustle :
"Only the wise man. only he whose thoughts are purified and controlled makes the winds and the storms of the soul obey him "
"The Calm strong man is always loved and revered, he is like a shade bearing tree in a thirsty land "
"Before the divine radiance of a pure heart, all darkness melts away, and all clouds disappear "
"Hail to thee O man divine, the conqueror of sin, shame, and sorrow, no more wormlike and sorrowful are thee, nor will thou bow-down to weakness and scourging, Triumphant does thou rise, in thy strength Good, pure, and wise....
Thy kingdom come. Let the reign of divine Truth, Life, and Love be established in me, and rule out of me all sin; and may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind
A mighty oak tree standing firm against the storm, As sunlight scatters the shadows of night A river nourishing the land it flows through
too good to be true! i don't behave good because i could go to heaven afterward. It's too religiously conditional to let people believe that you are a moral person, you can go to paradise. Let's put it this way, if there is no such paradise or hell, shall we all become wrongdoers? Of course not!
I read this after reading 'As a Man Thinketh' and rating it 5 stars but I did not enjoy this book. There are two or three pearls, 18th evening being one. The rest of the book I found dissapointing and too religious.