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Think and Grow Rich
The bestselling success book of all time is updated and revised with contemporary ideas and examples.
Think and Grow Rich has been called the "Granddaddy of All Motivational Literature." It was the first book to boldly ask, "What makes a winner?" The man who asked and listened for the answer, Napoleon Hill, is now counted in the top ranks of the world's winners himself.
The most famous of all teachers of success spent "a fortune and the better part of a lifetime of effort" to produce the "Law of Success" philosophy that forms the basis of his books and that is so powerfully summarized in this one.
In the original Think and Grow Rich, published in 1937, Hill draws on stories of Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and other millionaires of his generation to illustrate his principles. In the updated version, Arthur R. Pell, Ph.D., a nationally known author, lecturer, and consultant in human resources management and an expert in applying Hill's thought, deftly interweaves anecdotes of how contemporary millionaires and billionaires, such as Bill Gates, Mary Kay Ash, Dave Thomas, and Sir John Templeton, achieved their wealth. Outmoded or arcane terminology and examples are faithfully refreshed to preclude any stumbling blocks to a new generation of readers.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2014
68712 people are currently reading
527097 people want to read
About the author
Napoleon Hill
1,835 books5,390 followersOliver Napoleon Hill was an American self-help author and conman. He is best known for his book Think and Grow Rich (1937), which is among the best-selling self-help books of all time. Hill's works insisted that fervid expectations are essential to improving one's life. Most of his books were promoted as expounding principles to achieve "success".
Hill is a controversial figure. Accused of fraud, modern historians also doubt many of his claims, such as that he met Andrew Carnegie and that he was an attorney.
Hill is a controversial figure. Accused of fraud, modern historians also doubt many of his claims, such as that he met Andrew Carnegie and that he was an attorney.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 11,845 reviews
January 14, 2013
Let's be honest to ourselves and face the truth: success in business depends on a complex equation with a lot of variants, such as 1) how well your business idea adapts to the powers of supply and demand, which govern (and oppress) contemporary society, 2) where you come from economically to begin with (I've seen aromatherapy businesses run by middle-class sons of bitches grow and be more "successful" than neighborhood food establishments run by poor honest people), 3) how much investing capital you have at the time of creating your business, 4) your race, and 5) sheer dumb luck.
Quotes like “The starting point of all achievement is DESIRE. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat” are ludicrous, absolutely ridiculous and delve into the worst kind of new-agey, self-help bullshitting bullying: victim-blaming. So, if your business is not successful, you are to blame, because you simply failed to desire it enough? Fuck that shit. This book is a perfect example of everything that is wrong in today's first-world-white-heterosexual-male-dominated economic culture. Tell me that such ideas as "desiring it enough" would work in Somalia, hell, even in Egypt, and then we'll talk.
Don't waste your time with this codswallop. Read real literature instead: you'll definitely increase your IQ this way.
Quotes like “The starting point of all achievement is DESIRE. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat” are ludicrous, absolutely ridiculous and delve into the worst kind of new-agey, self-help bullshitting bullying: victim-blaming. So, if your business is not successful, you are to blame, because you simply failed to desire it enough? Fuck that shit. This book is a perfect example of everything that is wrong in today's first-world-white-heterosexual-male-dominated economic culture. Tell me that such ideas as "desiring it enough" would work in Somalia, hell, even in Egypt, and then we'll talk.
Don't waste your time with this codswallop. Read real literature instead: you'll definitely increase your IQ this way.
March 8, 2016
I was looking through some of the reviews and see that some people gave it five stars and some gave it only one. I think if the people who gave it one star would practice the principles given in this book they would quickly upgrade their rating.
This book was published in 1937, during the Great Depression, and if the people who suffered during that time had read this book their lives might have been better.
It is really about convincing yourself to become wealthy. It outlines the steps you need to take and the steps you need to avoid.
There are also a lot of interesting ideas in this book. For example, sex transmutation is where you transfer the energy of your libido into other purposes. Great people have done this. Also, 99% of the public has no goal in life that is why they are stuck in jobs they do not want.
Most people do not succeed until they are older. In fact, most success does not come until after you are 40 years old. Edison & Carnegie were past the age of 40 when they made their fortune. He forgot to mention that George Washington was 43 when he took on the greatest military on earth.
His roundtable idea is very intriguing.
I do not see why anyone would not want to read this book.
This book was published in 1937, during the Great Depression, and if the people who suffered during that time had read this book their lives might have been better.
It is really about convincing yourself to become wealthy. It outlines the steps you need to take and the steps you need to avoid.
There are also a lot of interesting ideas in this book. For example, sex transmutation is where you transfer the energy of your libido into other purposes. Great people have done this. Also, 99% of the public has no goal in life that is why they are stuck in jobs they do not want.
Most people do not succeed until they are older. In fact, most success does not come until after you are 40 years old. Edison & Carnegie were past the age of 40 when they made their fortune. He forgot to mention that George Washington was 43 when he took on the greatest military on earth.
His roundtable idea is very intriguing.
I do not see why anyone would not want to read this book.
August 13, 2012
About his deaf son on page 37: "We would not permit him to learn sign language. We were determined that he should live a normal life and associate with normal children, and we stood by that decision, although it cost us many heated debates with school officials."
That stupid statement immediately made me dislike Napoleon Hill. As someone who is hard-of-hearing and can function well in "normal society", yet, knows sign language, I take offense to this. I take offense that he thinks knowing sign language isn't "normal" and that he wanted his son hanging out with "normal" children. Ugh.
By the end of Chapter 2, I didn't want to read anymore.
Not only did I dislike his opinion about deaf children, but this entire book is about making money. Lots of it. And how to do so. And while his methods may work, I don't want to make a lot of money -- just enough to pay the bills. Life is about much more than getting rich.
Perfect book for you if all you care about is getting rich.
That stupid statement immediately made me dislike Napoleon Hill. As someone who is hard-of-hearing and can function well in "normal society", yet, knows sign language, I take offense to this. I take offense that he thinks knowing sign language isn't "normal" and that he wanted his son hanging out with "normal" children. Ugh.
By the end of Chapter 2, I didn't want to read anymore.
Not only did I dislike his opinion about deaf children, but this entire book is about making money. Lots of it. And how to do so. And while his methods may work, I don't want to make a lot of money -- just enough to pay the bills. Life is about much more than getting rich.
Perfect book for you if all you care about is getting rich.
April 16, 2019
Timeless information, great words of wisdom, and excellent advice from, perhaps, the greatest personal development book ever published. The principles can be used for anything that you desire. I bought this bestseller from: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
August 17, 2007
Want to get rich?
Don't waste your hard earned money on "Get Rich Quick" books.
Don't waste your hard earned money on "Get Rich Quick" books.
May 5, 2012
Overview: 60% brilliant, 30% obvious, 10% batshit crazy - and 100% worth reading
Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich" is about more than getting rich: it's about getting what you want. And while his no-bullshit insights come with a liberal dose of craziness and – well – bullshit, his overarching philosophy is spot-on. Hill's recipe boils down to this: to get what you want you must 1) desire, 2) believe, 3) act, and 4) persist.
First, the battiness
Hill's advice is always useful, even if not always completely truthful. For instance, he repeatedly claims that "thoughts can affect mother nature." I don't think this is true, and Hill doesn't provide any evidence to support his claim, but his reader might be better off believing it. Because thoughts do profoundly affect you. And if you think you can affect nature by thought alone, and "think" accordingly, the impact this will have on your beliefs and your actions can be profound.
"Lack of evidence" is a common theme through "Think and Grow Rich." Some of the claims Hill makes are pretty crazy, though they're presented as if they were glaringly obvious and unquestionably true. He often states that a claim has been "proved" where it's simply been stated. You'll read about the transmutation of the subconscious, about how thought vibrations travel through the ether, and how to plant creativity in your subconscious via communication with the infinite intelligence. The book is heavy on mystical musings and light on facts. That said, I don't think these bits of battiness detract from Hill's core message, and if anything, my occasional outrage kept me engaged.
Onto practical matters: The first step towards riches is DESIRE
On first glance, this statement might seem banal, or even tautological: if you want riches, the first step is to… want riches. But Hill's advice cuts much deeper than this. It is not enough to want riches, or to wish you had them. Hill means something more radical: you must have a burning desire to be rich. If you fail in this regard, you will fail to achieve your (vaguely) desired goal.
Hill gives some concrete advice for nurturing desire. First, you must define your purpose. Only then can you become consumed by it. Hill's recipe for making desire concrete is this: decide exactly how much money you desire; establish a definite date by which you intend to possess it; create a definite plan; write it down; and read your written statement aloud - twice when you wake up, and twice before you go to bed. Become so obsessed with desire that you already see yourself in possession of the money
But don't kid yourself into thinking desire will be enough: "wishing will not bring riches... [only] planning definite ways... and backing those plans with persistence" will. Take, then, this burning desire, and put all your effort behind it. I love Hill's emphasis on action: you are instructed to be a practical dreamer. It's not enough to 'decide' you're totally committed: act accordingly. Cut off all sources of retreat, Hill tells us. Burn all bridges behind you, so that you win or perish. The tone here might be a little extreme, but his message carries crisp and clear: don't half-ass it.
Include liberal doses of FAITH
It is impossible to translate burning desire into action without belief. You must have faith: you must believe in your plan, and more importantly, believe in yourself. Of course, this is easier said than done. One concrete way to foster faith is through autosuggestion. The idea here is that you can come to believe something by repeating it to yourself sufficiently. Repetition of thought is powerful, and Hill claims it's the best way to influence your subconscious mind – the presumed bastion of belief.
This might come off as a little crazy, but Hill elaborates: repetition alone isn't enough. The mere reading of words is of no consequence unless you mix in strong emotions. Desire is one such emotion. Thus, if we've followed Hill's first step and developed a burning desire, it will be that much easier to apply autosuggestion to foster a sense of faith. And believing in yourself, and in your plan, is absolutely crucial. This might all be getting a little speculative, but so far, I'm inclined to agree with Hill.
A short aside on transmutation: the mystical powers of sex and the subconscious
It's only when Hill starts discussing the power of belief that I find myself getting incredulous. Hill claims that belief is "picked up by the subconscious mind and transmuted to its physical equivalent." If by this Hill means 'your beliefs will affect your own actions,' then I agree. If instead he means 'your beliefs themselves can influence physical reality,' then I disagree - or at least I would love to be presented with evidence.
And indeed, you soon discover that Hill does mean the latter. He explains that our brains are connected by vibrations of thought, and that these vibrations connect us to the "infinite intelligence" – whatever that is. Hill confidently states that there is an undiscovered organ in the brain that receives 'vibrations of thought' – called hunches – from this infinite intelligence. Once these hunches have been captured, our subconscious mind will hand them over to our conscious mind in a flash of inspiration. And this, he claims, is how to get your plan for riches. As best I could tell, this is what Hill means by "transmutation of thought."
It's my opinion that Hill here is liberally dipping into craziness – and he doesn't stop there. "Sex transmutation" comes next. We're told that "sex energy" is "creative energy," and you're implored to "harness and transmute" your desire for sex to lift yourself to a "higher sphere of thought." Harnessing sexual energy, it seems, will help you capture those aforementioned hunches. Here, at least, Hill offers some circumstantial evidence: apparently, many of the highly successfully men he studied were "highly sexed." Again, I'm not quite sure what this means, and I'm not quite sure how he was able to ascertain the sexual nature of so many strangers, but there you have it.
There is no substitute for PERSISTENCE
Back to practical matters: we've discussed desire and belief, and the need to "act" has been referred to throughout. The final ingredient is persistence. Without persistence, you will fail. Unfortunately, lack of persistence is a "weakness common to the majority of men." Fortunately, it can be overcome, and the ease with which it may be conquered "depends entirely on the intensity of one's desire." Of course, it's hard to 'learn persistence,' since you need to be persistent in the first place to be able to successfully employ a 'persistence enhancing technique.'
That said, Hill does give some good 'persistence enhancing' advice, which amounts to restating the advice that’s been given thus far. The key, again, is to have a definite purpose and a burning desire for its fulfillment. You must then transform that purpose into a definite plan, and immediately act. Consciously conquer procrastination and indecision. Throughout, guard your mind against negative and discouraging influences. And finally, form a "master mind alliance" – a coordination of knowledge and effort, for the attainment of a definite purpose – consisting of people who will encourage you to follow through with your plan and your purpose.
Conclusion
Hill might be a little crazy, and his writing style is a bit over the top. He tends to take on the tone of a late night infomercial ("I have never known anyone who was inspired to use the secret, who did not achieve noteworthy success in his chosen calling") and he has an troll-like propensity to go into all-caps mode ("ALL ACHIEVEMENT, ALL EARNED RICHES, HAVE THEIR BEGINNING IN AN IDEA!"). More critically, some of the particular things he says are at odds with his philosophy as a whole ("these steps call for no hard labor. They call for no sacrifice"). The danger is that these are the statements readers latch on to, and lose the forest for the trees.
And this would be a shame, for when all is said and done, "Think and Grow Rich" is terrific book. Hill is passionate, and his advice is refreshingly practical. The above caveat aside, Hill tells it like it is. He decries the "universal weakness of lack of ambition" and our "national pastime of trying to get without giving". He explains that people mistake their wants for their just dues, and is explicit on the fact that you can't get something for nothing: "there is but one dependable method for accumulating, and legally holding riches, and that is by rendering useful service."
Mystical musings aside, Hill's philosophy makes sense, and not in the vague "no shit, Sherlock" sense. He believes that "riches begin in the form of thought," and he makes this claim concrete. Desire, believe, act, and persist, he advises. If you do these things, you cannot fail – and never forget that "a quitter never wins-and-a winner never quits."
Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich" is about more than getting rich: it's about getting what you want. And while his no-bullshit insights come with a liberal dose of craziness and – well – bullshit, his overarching philosophy is spot-on. Hill's recipe boils down to this: to get what you want you must 1) desire, 2) believe, 3) act, and 4) persist.
First, the battiness
Hill's advice is always useful, even if not always completely truthful. For instance, he repeatedly claims that "thoughts can affect mother nature." I don't think this is true, and Hill doesn't provide any evidence to support his claim, but his reader might be better off believing it. Because thoughts do profoundly affect you. And if you think you can affect nature by thought alone, and "think" accordingly, the impact this will have on your beliefs and your actions can be profound.
"Lack of evidence" is a common theme through "Think and Grow Rich." Some of the claims Hill makes are pretty crazy, though they're presented as if they were glaringly obvious and unquestionably true. He often states that a claim has been "proved" where it's simply been stated. You'll read about the transmutation of the subconscious, about how thought vibrations travel through the ether, and how to plant creativity in your subconscious via communication with the infinite intelligence. The book is heavy on mystical musings and light on facts. That said, I don't think these bits of battiness detract from Hill's core message, and if anything, my occasional outrage kept me engaged.
Onto practical matters: The first step towards riches is DESIRE
On first glance, this statement might seem banal, or even tautological: if you want riches, the first step is to… want riches. But Hill's advice cuts much deeper than this. It is not enough to want riches, or to wish you had them. Hill means something more radical: you must have a burning desire to be rich. If you fail in this regard, you will fail to achieve your (vaguely) desired goal.
Hill gives some concrete advice for nurturing desire. First, you must define your purpose. Only then can you become consumed by it. Hill's recipe for making desire concrete is this: decide exactly how much money you desire; establish a definite date by which you intend to possess it; create a definite plan; write it down; and read your written statement aloud - twice when you wake up, and twice before you go to bed. Become so obsessed with desire that you already see yourself in possession of the money
But don't kid yourself into thinking desire will be enough: "wishing will not bring riches... [only] planning definite ways... and backing those plans with persistence" will. Take, then, this burning desire, and put all your effort behind it. I love Hill's emphasis on action: you are instructed to be a practical dreamer. It's not enough to 'decide' you're totally committed: act accordingly. Cut off all sources of retreat, Hill tells us. Burn all bridges behind you, so that you win or perish. The tone here might be a little extreme, but his message carries crisp and clear: don't half-ass it.
Include liberal doses of FAITH
It is impossible to translate burning desire into action without belief. You must have faith: you must believe in your plan, and more importantly, believe in yourself. Of course, this is easier said than done. One concrete way to foster faith is through autosuggestion. The idea here is that you can come to believe something by repeating it to yourself sufficiently. Repetition of thought is powerful, and Hill claims it's the best way to influence your subconscious mind – the presumed bastion of belief.
This might come off as a little crazy, but Hill elaborates: repetition alone isn't enough. The mere reading of words is of no consequence unless you mix in strong emotions. Desire is one such emotion. Thus, if we've followed Hill's first step and developed a burning desire, it will be that much easier to apply autosuggestion to foster a sense of faith. And believing in yourself, and in your plan, is absolutely crucial. This might all be getting a little speculative, but so far, I'm inclined to agree with Hill.
A short aside on transmutation: the mystical powers of sex and the subconscious
It's only when Hill starts discussing the power of belief that I find myself getting incredulous. Hill claims that belief is "picked up by the subconscious mind and transmuted to its physical equivalent." If by this Hill means 'your beliefs will affect your own actions,' then I agree. If instead he means 'your beliefs themselves can influence physical reality,' then I disagree - or at least I would love to be presented with evidence.
And indeed, you soon discover that Hill does mean the latter. He explains that our brains are connected by vibrations of thought, and that these vibrations connect us to the "infinite intelligence" – whatever that is. Hill confidently states that there is an undiscovered organ in the brain that receives 'vibrations of thought' – called hunches – from this infinite intelligence. Once these hunches have been captured, our subconscious mind will hand them over to our conscious mind in a flash of inspiration. And this, he claims, is how to get your plan for riches. As best I could tell, this is what Hill means by "transmutation of thought."
It's my opinion that Hill here is liberally dipping into craziness – and he doesn't stop there. "Sex transmutation" comes next. We're told that "sex energy" is "creative energy," and you're implored to "harness and transmute" your desire for sex to lift yourself to a "higher sphere of thought." Harnessing sexual energy, it seems, will help you capture those aforementioned hunches. Here, at least, Hill offers some circumstantial evidence: apparently, many of the highly successfully men he studied were "highly sexed." Again, I'm not quite sure what this means, and I'm not quite sure how he was able to ascertain the sexual nature of so many strangers, but there you have it.
There is no substitute for PERSISTENCE
Back to practical matters: we've discussed desire and belief, and the need to "act" has been referred to throughout. The final ingredient is persistence. Without persistence, you will fail. Unfortunately, lack of persistence is a "weakness common to the majority of men." Fortunately, it can be overcome, and the ease with which it may be conquered "depends entirely on the intensity of one's desire." Of course, it's hard to 'learn persistence,' since you need to be persistent in the first place to be able to successfully employ a 'persistence enhancing technique.'
That said, Hill does give some good 'persistence enhancing' advice, which amounts to restating the advice that’s been given thus far. The key, again, is to have a definite purpose and a burning desire for its fulfillment. You must then transform that purpose into a definite plan, and immediately act. Consciously conquer procrastination and indecision. Throughout, guard your mind against negative and discouraging influences. And finally, form a "master mind alliance" – a coordination of knowledge and effort, for the attainment of a definite purpose – consisting of people who will encourage you to follow through with your plan and your purpose.
Conclusion
Hill might be a little crazy, and his writing style is a bit over the top. He tends to take on the tone of a late night infomercial ("I have never known anyone who was inspired to use the secret, who did not achieve noteworthy success in his chosen calling") and he has an troll-like propensity to go into all-caps mode ("ALL ACHIEVEMENT, ALL EARNED RICHES, HAVE THEIR BEGINNING IN AN IDEA!"). More critically, some of the particular things he says are at odds with his philosophy as a whole ("these steps call for no hard labor. They call for no sacrifice"). The danger is that these are the statements readers latch on to, and lose the forest for the trees.
And this would be a shame, for when all is said and done, "Think and Grow Rich" is terrific book. Hill is passionate, and his advice is refreshingly practical. The above caveat aside, Hill tells it like it is. He decries the "universal weakness of lack of ambition" and our "national pastime of trying to get without giving". He explains that people mistake their wants for their just dues, and is explicit on the fact that you can't get something for nothing: "there is but one dependable method for accumulating, and legally holding riches, and that is by rendering useful service."
Mystical musings aside, Hill's philosophy makes sense, and not in the vague "no shit, Sherlock" sense. He believes that "riches begin in the form of thought," and he makes this claim concrete. Desire, believe, act, and persist, he advises. If you do these things, you cannot fail – and never forget that "a quitter never wins-and-a winner never quits."
November 14, 2024
3 "fascinating, ridiculous but well-meaning" stars !!!
2016 MOST AVERAGE OF AVERAGE AWARD
Let me start with a childhood story:
As some of you know, I have an aunt that I love to bits. She has been my anchor in childhood chaos, my wise teacher, my introduction to literature and opera, my favorite playmate and a believer in "Jaidee" through all my trials, challenges and tribulations.
Anyways back to the story. I am about six and I am spending the day with her. We went to Woolworth's for grill cheese and coke, walked in the park and came to the second hand bookstore where each week we would each choose a book. I look up and lo and behold I see this book "Think and Grow Rich" (I learned to read when I was four or so). I said "Auntie what is that book about?"
She winked. O how I loved her winks, with her long dark blonde hair, bright red lipstick and brightly colored polyester dresses she looked like a movie star. She whispered, "Jaidee, if you close your eyes hard enough and wish hard enough and if you are good enough- money will appear".
My brown eyes must have grown huge because she said- "but only when you are with me." Well now not only was she a movie star but like a tooth fairy.
That whole day my eyes were closed so tightly and at the end of the day I found a quarter in my pocket. This game went on for two years until I found out the truth and I mist over thinking of the magic that wonderful woman made for me and that is only one example.
Now enough sentimentality and onto the book:
I have wanted to read that book since then and finally I have. I read the 2015 updated edition and it was absolutely fascinating in a scary kind of way.
Napoleon Hill was a motivational speaker who was friends with Edison, Ford and some other wealthy people and he "studied" them and came up with thirteen steps to riches. The book is engaging and full of "convenient" examples.
The book is a real slice of Americanah with many examples taken from the depression and it is infused with common sense, populist thought, pseudo-mysticism, quasi psychology and philosophy and a lot of silly little exercises that if somebody tries hard enough will lead to untold riches. Of course if you don't- you didn't try hard enough and there are fears tied in your subconscious that you have not yet overcome.
There was an interesting chapter on sex transmutation. In short- turn your horniness into money- read the chapter and you will found out how.
This positive thinking book is really well meaning but I just cannot give it any more than three stars despite its interesting nature due to the fact that it blames a complex problem of poverty right on the poor rather than the greed of capitalism or the myth of socialism.
Sociologists, Economists and Psychologists must cringe when they read this.
It was however very interesting, lures you with its common sense, feeds on your sense of greed and if you are middle class is no more dangerous than a lottery ticket or small trip to the casino.
For the millions of poor however , I think this is a harsh and dangerous slap in the face. Read it with a grain of salt, no make it a shaker of salt and for entertainment value only.
2016 MOST AVERAGE OF AVERAGE AWARD
Let me start with a childhood story:
As some of you know, I have an aunt that I love to bits. She has been my anchor in childhood chaos, my wise teacher, my introduction to literature and opera, my favorite playmate and a believer in "Jaidee" through all my trials, challenges and tribulations.
Anyways back to the story. I am about six and I am spending the day with her. We went to Woolworth's for grill cheese and coke, walked in the park and came to the second hand bookstore where each week we would each choose a book. I look up and lo and behold I see this book "Think and Grow Rich" (I learned to read when I was four or so). I said "Auntie what is that book about?"
She winked. O how I loved her winks, with her long dark blonde hair, bright red lipstick and brightly colored polyester dresses she looked like a movie star. She whispered, "Jaidee, if you close your eyes hard enough and wish hard enough and if you are good enough- money will appear".
My brown eyes must have grown huge because she said- "but only when you are with me." Well now not only was she a movie star but like a tooth fairy.
That whole day my eyes were closed so tightly and at the end of the day I found a quarter in my pocket. This game went on for two years until I found out the truth and I mist over thinking of the magic that wonderful woman made for me and that is only one example.
Now enough sentimentality and onto the book:
I have wanted to read that book since then and finally I have. I read the 2015 updated edition and it was absolutely fascinating in a scary kind of way.
Napoleon Hill was a motivational speaker who was friends with Edison, Ford and some other wealthy people and he "studied" them and came up with thirteen steps to riches. The book is engaging and full of "convenient" examples.
The book is a real slice of Americanah with many examples taken from the depression and it is infused with common sense, populist thought, pseudo-mysticism, quasi psychology and philosophy and a lot of silly little exercises that if somebody tries hard enough will lead to untold riches. Of course if you don't- you didn't try hard enough and there are fears tied in your subconscious that you have not yet overcome.
There was an interesting chapter on sex transmutation. In short- turn your horniness into money- read the chapter and you will found out how.
This positive thinking book is really well meaning but I just cannot give it any more than three stars despite its interesting nature due to the fact that it blames a complex problem of poverty right on the poor rather than the greed of capitalism or the myth of socialism.
Sociologists, Economists and Psychologists must cringe when they read this.
It was however very interesting, lures you with its common sense, feeds on your sense of greed and if you are middle class is no more dangerous than a lottery ticket or small trip to the casino.
For the millions of poor however , I think this is a harsh and dangerous slap in the face. Read it with a grain of salt, no make it a shaker of salt and for entertainment value only.
July 26, 2017
When my dad introduced me to this book he made it sound like every second I wasn't reading it was wasted. I was skeptical. After all, the book was written in 1960, and I hadn't ever heard of it. But I gave it a try, just so my dad would drop it.
What I discovered is that rich people are rich because they're eccentric. Well, maybe not eccentric, but definitely obsessed with the idea of making money. I guess the one good thing this book did for me was help me realize what it would take for me to become rich. I'd have to forget distractions, such as my family, my church, and my health, and develop an all-consuming lust for wealth. The bottom line is that if I want money I have to love it and hunger after it and dream about it every waking minute of my life. I think Napoleon is right. Anyone that obsessed with money probably will get rich sooner or later. But I read another good book recently that took a slightly different view. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Admittedly, the principals of "tunnel-vision" and psychotic-level tenacity can work with other goals in your life. But the only healthy obsession I can think of is one of reaching out to those around you, lifting up the downtrodden, and in fact laying up treasures in heaven. Why would I need this book to tell me how to do that when we've already got one that does its job pretty well.
I think the sequel to this book should be entitled, I'M FINALLY RICH: SO WHY AM I NOT HAPPY?
What I discovered is that rich people are rich because they're eccentric. Well, maybe not eccentric, but definitely obsessed with the idea of making money. I guess the one good thing this book did for me was help me realize what it would take for me to become rich. I'd have to forget distractions, such as my family, my church, and my health, and develop an all-consuming lust for wealth. The bottom line is that if I want money I have to love it and hunger after it and dream about it every waking minute of my life. I think Napoleon is right. Anyone that obsessed with money probably will get rich sooner or later. But I read another good book recently that took a slightly different view. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Admittedly, the principals of "tunnel-vision" and psychotic-level tenacity can work with other goals in your life. But the only healthy obsession I can think of is one of reaching out to those around you, lifting up the downtrodden, and in fact laying up treasures in heaven. Why would I need this book to tell me how to do that when we've already got one that does its job pretty well.
I think the sequel to this book should be entitled, I'M FINALLY RICH: SO WHY AM I NOT HAPPY?
December 8, 2017
I expected a practical guide to managing personal finance, but got something a little kooky. On to the next one. :)
October 2, 2016
A lot of people I know speak very highly of this book. I disagree. It was so terrible I couldn't stomach finishing it. This is the early predecessor to the contemporary fantasy called "The Secret" - just think hard enough about what you want and it will happen. Sorry to burst your bubble, but that's bullshit. Regardless of what Napoleon Hill supposedly researched, desire alone is not a determinant of success.
Don't waste your time and energy on this book. Instead, go read "I Will Teach You To Be Rich" from Ramit Sethi for actionable advice on how to build your financial success, or "The Personal MBA" by Josh Kaufman for a real primer on how business works.
Don't waste your time and energy on this book. Instead, go read "I Will Teach You To Be Rich" from Ramit Sethi for actionable advice on how to build your financial success, or "The Personal MBA" by Josh Kaufman for a real primer on how business works.
July 25, 2012
This is the best self help book any entrepreneur could ever read. Perhaps the only one they need to. Truly transformative. I have it on audio too and listen to it at the gym often.
Napoleon Hill was tasked by Andrew Carnegie to write a book on what made a successful person succeed, and he spent 20 years researching and interviewing every great name of the day (Ford, Woolworth, Edison, etc), plus lots of people who failed (because you have to know what doesn't work too). This book is the result.
It basically hammers home a single point, over and over again. Success comes from knowing what you want to achieve and having a burning desire to achieve it.
"The starting point of all achievements is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat."
Napoleon Hill was tasked by Andrew Carnegie to write a book on what made a successful person succeed, and he spent 20 years researching and interviewing every great name of the day (Ford, Woolworth, Edison, etc), plus lots of people who failed (because you have to know what doesn't work too). This book is the result.
It basically hammers home a single point, over and over again. Success comes from knowing what you want to achieve and having a burning desire to achieve it.
"The starting point of all achievements is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat."
January 27, 2008
Ted, my old boss at KWE (Kintetsu World Express) first recommended this book to me and told me that it very much changed his way of thinking. He said it might do the same to my own thinking.
I was skeptical and after forgetting that age old phrase of "never judge a book by its cover" (and not reading it for two months even after I bought it...I bought it only to appease Ted because I knew he was going to ask me if I had bought it...which he did)I finally sat down to read it and couldn't put it down.
I thought it would be about making money and "growing rich" as the cover leads one to beleive...and which only half-heartedly interests me. I was wrong, however, and came to learn that the book was more about setting an "envisioned desired outcome" for ourselves each day or for each activity instead of passively going through life. What one may learn from this book is that life will only give you what you ask of it...whether it is joy, happiness, money, friendship, love, family, a dog ;) or anything in between.
To my great benefit, Ted actually worked with me in analyzing the book to help me pull out meaning from it. We could spend 1-2 hours at a time after work just talking about it and trying to figure out what the book was saying.
I am very thankful now that Ted had the patience he did with me then. In fact, ha, because of this book, Ted has become a mentor of sorts to me...even though I am an ocean away in Europe at the moment...I still keep in touch with him frequently.
I was skeptical and after forgetting that age old phrase of "never judge a book by its cover" (and not reading it for two months even after I bought it...I bought it only to appease Ted because I knew he was going to ask me if I had bought it...which he did)I finally sat down to read it and couldn't put it down.
I thought it would be about making money and "growing rich" as the cover leads one to beleive...and which only half-heartedly interests me. I was wrong, however, and came to learn that the book was more about setting an "envisioned desired outcome" for ourselves each day or for each activity instead of passively going through life. What one may learn from this book is that life will only give you what you ask of it...whether it is joy, happiness, money, friendship, love, family, a dog ;) or anything in between.
To my great benefit, Ted actually worked with me in analyzing the book to help me pull out meaning from it. We could spend 1-2 hours at a time after work just talking about it and trying to figure out what the book was saying.
I am very thankful now that Ted had the patience he did with me then. In fact, ha, because of this book, Ted has become a mentor of sorts to me...even though I am an ocean away in Europe at the moment...I still keep in touch with him frequently.
October 19, 2022
One of the best classical self-help books I ever read.
I will read this book from time to time and review my habits and action.
I asked my friend to buy this book when he went to Canada for holidays around the year 1997.
It was not sold in my country at that time and I didn’t know why.
I will read this book from time to time and review my habits and action.
I asked my friend to buy this book when he went to Canada for holidays around the year 1997.
It was not sold in my country at that time and I didn’t know why.
April 21, 2010
In this oft-referenced self-help classic, Napoleon Hill promises to share the secret of the wealthiest people of his time (this book was published in 1937). At Andrew Carnegie's bidding, he spent 20 years interviewing and studying over 500 people, including Henry Ford, John Rockefeller, Thomas Edison, Marshall Field, Charles Schwab, and Alexander Graham Bell.
Did I discover the "secret" that will launch me to world-renowned success? Unfortunately, not that I'm aware. Do I have a better understanding of the psychology behind success or failure? Yes. I also realize how important it is to set a high goal, review it daily, and constantly work toward it.
Quick summary: "Anybody can wish for riches, and most people do, but only a few know that a definite plan plus a burning desire for wealth are the only dependable means of accumulating it."
The book contains a lot of practical advice on being successful, but it's mainly focused on the psychological motivation behind it. Although most of it's sound, there are some sections that are of questionable scientific validity, and some pure pseudoscience. For example, Hill believes that all human brains are connected by the "vibrating energy of thought", and that people can connect to the "Infinite Intelligence" - a cosmic force permeating all matter and energy.
Other nonsense presented as fact: telepathy, clairvoyance, ESP, precognition. These parts reminded me of some of the pseudoscience in The Power of Positive Thinking. At first I was concerned about Hill's mental state and ability to separate fact from fantasy when he described his imaginary meetings with a group of notable dead and living men he called his "Invisible Counselors". On second thought, however, I can see how imagining the advice that great people might give could help you make better decisions.
Here are the 13 Steps to Riches presented in the book, supposedly containing the great secret to wealth:
13 Steps to Riches
1. Desire
Have a burning desire for something definite (money, etc.).
Create a plan to obtain a definite amount of money through the sale of specific goods and services by a set date.
"See and feel and believe yourself already in possession of the money."
2. Faith
Believe in your idea.
Your self-confidence will influence your thoughts and actions.
3. Autosuggestion
Concentrate on your desire and faith, and your subconscious will create practical plans for obtaining your desire/money.
4. Specialized knowledge
Use your expertise and imagination to come up with ideas that earn far more than any job.
5. Imagination
Hard work and honesty alone won't make you rich.
Ideas become money through a definite purpose plus a definite plan.
Form definite plans to turn your ideas into money.
6. Organized planning
Create a practical plan for acquiring money.
Provide great service and convince others that you're worth the money you demand.
Follow the QQS Formula for service:
- Quality: be efficient, and increase in efficiency
- Quantity: give all the service you can, and improve through practice and experience
- Spirit: be agreeable and harmonious with others
7. Decision
Make decisions quickly and definitely; change them slowly.
Base decisions on your desire and your own opinions (not others').
8. Persistence
Have the willpower to follow your desire and plans despite obstacles and criticism.
9. Master Mind
Surround yourself with like-minded, intelligent people. This is your brain trust or think tank.
With your Master Mind group, coordinate your knowledge and effort to attain your desire.
10. Sex transmutation
Channel your sexual energy into creative energy.
Limit yourself to a moderate amount of sex and use your remaining energy to drive creativity and enthusiasm.
11. Subconscious mind
Plant your desires in your subconscious for it to work toward 24/7.
Fill your mind with positive emotions so that negative ones can't enter.
12. The brain
Send thoughts with your subconscious, receive thoughts with your creative imagination, and use autosuggestion.
13. Sixth Sense
Meditate to become attuned to inspiration and creative imagination.
Other notes
Don't expect poverty; demand riches.
The only thing you can absolutely control in life is your thoughts. Control your mind through self-discipline and habit.
Don't use the basic fears as excuses; overcome them through positive thinking - fears of poverty, criticism, illness, loss of love, old age, and death. Don't worry and don't be susceptible to negative influences.
My favorite part of the book was the poem in the Desire chapter: "My Wage" by Jessie Belle Rittenhouse:
Did I discover the "secret" that will launch me to world-renowned success? Unfortunately, not that I'm aware. Do I have a better understanding of the psychology behind success or failure? Yes. I also realize how important it is to set a high goal, review it daily, and constantly work toward it.
Quick summary: "Anybody can wish for riches, and most people do, but only a few know that a definite plan plus a burning desire for wealth are the only dependable means of accumulating it."
The book contains a lot of practical advice on being successful, but it's mainly focused on the psychological motivation behind it. Although most of it's sound, there are some sections that are of questionable scientific validity, and some pure pseudoscience. For example, Hill believes that all human brains are connected by the "vibrating energy of thought", and that people can connect to the "Infinite Intelligence" - a cosmic force permeating all matter and energy.
Other nonsense presented as fact: telepathy, clairvoyance, ESP, precognition. These parts reminded me of some of the pseudoscience in The Power of Positive Thinking. At first I was concerned about Hill's mental state and ability to separate fact from fantasy when he described his imaginary meetings with a group of notable dead and living men he called his "Invisible Counselors". On second thought, however, I can see how imagining the advice that great people might give could help you make better decisions.
Here are the 13 Steps to Riches presented in the book, supposedly containing the great secret to wealth:
13 Steps to Riches
1. Desire
Have a burning desire for something definite (money, etc.).
Create a plan to obtain a definite amount of money through the sale of specific goods and services by a set date.
"See and feel and believe yourself already in possession of the money."
2. Faith
Believe in your idea.
Your self-confidence will influence your thoughts and actions.
3. Autosuggestion
Concentrate on your desire and faith, and your subconscious will create practical plans for obtaining your desire/money.
4. Specialized knowledge
Use your expertise and imagination to come up with ideas that earn far more than any job.
5. Imagination
Hard work and honesty alone won't make you rich.
Ideas become money through a definite purpose plus a definite plan.
Form definite plans to turn your ideas into money.
6. Organized planning
Create a practical plan for acquiring money.
Provide great service and convince others that you're worth the money you demand.
Follow the QQS Formula for service:
- Quality: be efficient, and increase in efficiency
- Quantity: give all the service you can, and improve through practice and experience
- Spirit: be agreeable and harmonious with others
7. Decision
Make decisions quickly and definitely; change them slowly.
Base decisions on your desire and your own opinions (not others').
8. Persistence
Have the willpower to follow your desire and plans despite obstacles and criticism.
9. Master Mind
Surround yourself with like-minded, intelligent people. This is your brain trust or think tank.
With your Master Mind group, coordinate your knowledge and effort to attain your desire.
10. Sex transmutation
Channel your sexual energy into creative energy.
Limit yourself to a moderate amount of sex and use your remaining energy to drive creativity and enthusiasm.
11. Subconscious mind
Plant your desires in your subconscious for it to work toward 24/7.
Fill your mind with positive emotions so that negative ones can't enter.
12. The brain
Send thoughts with your subconscious, receive thoughts with your creative imagination, and use autosuggestion.
13. Sixth Sense
Meditate to become attuned to inspiration and creative imagination.
Other notes
Don't expect poverty; demand riches.
The only thing you can absolutely control in life is your thoughts. Control your mind through self-discipline and habit.
Don't use the basic fears as excuses; overcome them through positive thinking - fears of poverty, criticism, illness, loss of love, old age, and death. Don't worry and don't be susceptible to negative influences.
My favorite part of the book was the poem in the Desire chapter: "My Wage" by Jessie Belle Rittenhouse:
I bargained with Life for a penny,
And Life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store;
For Life is a just employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.
I worked for a menial’s hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have willingly paid.
October 21, 2019
Napoleon Hill presents each part of this book as a "definite plan" with "definite steps towards obtaining riches." Instead, what he presents is line after line of trite motivation intermixed with pure gold nuggets of jaw dropping wisdom.
Here's a wonderful little snippet:
"Baldheaded men, for example, are bald for no other reason than their fear of criticism. Heads become bald because of the tight fitting bands of hats which cut off the circulation from the roots of the hair."
Hill repeatedly and confidently spews this kind of nonsense. Another similar case was explaining the reason doctors don't get sick (hint: it's because they aren't afraid of getting sick). Another testimonial to just "desiring" something and making it happen involved a preacher who wanted a million bucks, and sure enough, someone gave it to him. Sorry, but that's not how this world works.
I only finished this book due to the rave reviews it got elsewhere. If you want to get rich, start by saving your money and not buying this book.
Here's a wonderful little snippet:
"Baldheaded men, for example, are bald for no other reason than their fear of criticism. Heads become bald because of the tight fitting bands of hats which cut off the circulation from the roots of the hair."
Hill repeatedly and confidently spews this kind of nonsense. Another similar case was explaining the reason doctors don't get sick (hint: it's because they aren't afraid of getting sick). Another testimonial to just "desiring" something and making it happen involved a preacher who wanted a million bucks, and sure enough, someone gave it to him. Sorry, but that's not how this world works.
I only finished this book due to the rave reviews it got elsewhere. If you want to get rich, start by saving your money and not buying this book.
October 7, 2018
Да беше жив Оливър Наполеон Хил, бих му стиснала ръката. Не за друго, а защото е надушил в немотията и нещастието на хората ниша, която негови далновидни „колеги“ и до ден-днешен разработват доста успешно. Бих казала, че „Мисли и забогатявай“ е нещо като пълнометражна версия на великолепното стихотворение на Джани Родари „Продавач на надежда“, но без доброто писане и некористолюбивия замисъл.
Ще бъда по-конкретна, дори мога да ви направя услуга и да ви спестя четенето на 250 страници. Цялата книга ми напомняше поредица недотам умели барабанни тушове, след всеки от който аха, да се разкрие някоя по-трезва и заземена мисъл, но не би. Накрая си излязох от представлението, уморена от дългото нагнетяване на напрежението да прочета нещо смислено и неудовлетворението му. Не ме разбирайте погрешно, не съм си представяла някой чародеен фокус от вида „Застанете по пълнолуние на Еньов ден на върха на скала, изпийте две шепи мълчана вода и ще забогатеете“, но пък някак очаквах малко повече от тая набедена Библия на книгите за самопомощ.
Не знам дали тук е моментът, но ще спомена, че където и да прочета колко велика държава е САЩ, как няма по земното кълбо друга като нея и именно там хората са свободни да постигнат де що блага има на този свят, получавам нещо като анафилактичен шок. Ако сте заинтересувани, ще прочетете дори сбита история на създаването на Съединените щати, която само доказва величието на въпросната държава и хората, които са я основали (ако съм пропуснала да отбележа, САЩ е най-прекрасната страна в света. Не, май това го казах). Освен това, ако също не знаете, зад всеки успял мъж стои по една скромна и неособено известна в обществото жена, защото къде да стои жената иначе, ако не ЗАД мъжа? Защо живее жената, ако не да помага на мъжа да се издигне до неподозирани висоти? Очевидно жени като Гъртруд Бел, Амелия Еърхарт и Ада Лавлейс не са направили особено впечатление на Наполеон Хил, та да даде някоя от тях за пример. Не си падам по радикалния феминизъм и космите по краката, но в края на тридесетте години на двадесети век в тези толкова напредничави Щати някои аспекти на мисълта са били на рудиментарно ниво. Не виждам защо г-н Хил, който счита себе си за открил Граала в печеленето на пари, не е могъл да преразгледа или поне премълчи тези си възгледи.
Истината е, че Наполеон Хил не успява твърде последователно да приложи да практика безценните съвети, които предлага. Бих казала, че е свършил доста повторяема и неособено иновативна работа за тези 20 години, през които уж синтезира опита на стотици преуспели хора в „Мисли и забогатявай“. Има няколко провалени бизнес начинания и друга неуспешна книга за самопомощ. Голямата депресия го удря неприятно след първия му масов успех, с което не се отличава особено от доста други хора в САЩ. Предполагам, че нещо се объркало и не е искал достатъчно силно да бъде богат в този период. Приходите от „Мисли и забогатявай“, написана през 1937 г., когато хората полекичка се окопитват от Голямата депресия, пък почти изцяло се озовават при вече бившата му съпруга (до голяма степен помогнала за написването и редакцията на въпросната книга). На брачния фронт Хил има няколко провалени брака, първият от които сключен при доста съмнителни обстоятелства. Сигурно е трудно човек едновременно да пише как се става богат и е хубаво да се поддържат хармонични отношения с околните, че и да си изпълнява напътствията. Препоръчвам за четене, ако искате да разберете от първа ръка защо няма какво да ви дадат такива книги.
Ще бъда по-конкретна, дори мога да ви направя услуга и да ви спестя четенето на 250 страници. Цялата книга ми напомняше поредица недотам умели барабанни тушове, след всеки от който аха, да се разкрие някоя по-трезва и заземена мисъл, но не би. Накрая си излязох от представлението, уморена от дългото нагнетяване на напрежението да прочета нещо смислено и неудовлетворението му. Не ме разбирайте погрешно, не съм си представяла някой чародеен фокус от вида „Застанете по пълнолуние на Еньов ден на върха на скала, изпийте две шепи мълчана вода и ще забогатеете“, но пък някак очаквах малко повече от тая набедена Библия на книгите за самопомощ.
Не знам дали тук е моментът, но ще спомена, че където и да прочета колко велика държава е САЩ, как няма по земното кълбо друга като нея и именно там хората са свободни да постигнат де що блага има на този свят, получавам нещо като анафилактичен шок. Ако сте заинтересувани, ще прочетете дори сбита история на създаването на Съединените щати, която само доказва величието на въпросната държава и хората, които са я основали (ако съм пропуснала да отбележа, САЩ е най-прекрасната страна в света. Не, май това го казах). Освен това, ако също не знаете, зад всеки успял мъж стои по една скромна и неособено известна в обществото жена, защото къде да стои жената иначе, ако не ЗАД мъжа? Защо живее жената, ако не да помага на мъжа да се издигне до неподозирани висоти? Очевидно жени като Гъртруд Бел, Амелия Еърхарт и Ада Лавлейс не са направили особено впечатление на Наполеон Хил, та да даде някоя от тях за пример. Не си падам по радикалния феминизъм и космите по краката, но в края на тридесетте години на двадесети век в тези толкова напредничави Щати някои аспекти на мисълта са били на рудиментарно ниво. Не виждам защо г-н Хил, който счита себе си за открил Граала в печеленето на пари, не е могъл да преразгледа или поне премълчи тези си възгледи.
Истината е, че Наполеон Хил не успява твърде последователно да приложи да практика безценните съвети, които предлага. Бих казала, че е свършил доста повторяема и неособено иновативна работа за тези 20 години, през които уж синтезира опита на стотици преуспели хора в „Мисли и забогатявай“. Има няколко провалени бизнес начинания и друга неуспешна книга за самопомощ. Голямата депресия го удря неприятно след първия му масов успех, с което не се отличава особено от доста други хора в САЩ. Предполагам, че нещо се объркало и не е искал достатъчно силно да бъде богат в този период. Приходите от „Мисли и забогатявай“, написана през 1937 г., когато хората полекичка се окопитват от Голямата депресия, пък почти изцяло се озовават при вече бившата му съпруга (до голяма степен помогнала за написването и редакцията на въпросната книга). На брачния фронт Хил има няколко провалени брака, първият от които сключен при доста съмнителни обстоятелства. Сигурно е трудно човек едновременно да пише как се става богат и е хубаво да се поддържат хармонични отношения с околните, че и да си изпълнява напътствията. Препоръчвам за четене, ако искате да разберете от първа ръка защо няма какво да ви дадат такива книги.
February 11, 2019
There are some books in your bookshelves which you can read many times and every time you will get some new ideas. Think and grow rich is a book like this. Whenever I read this book I find out some new ideas every time. The psychological techniques and dealing with cetain situaiton are delead in a pretty good manner. He is a time tested motivational author who wrote this immortal book. A child or a youth everybody needs motivation because it's a positive source of energy that keeps you going in full blaze.
October 30, 2008
I bought this book just as the year 2008 is starting. What's odd about this is that I don't even have any inkling of what kind of a book this is when I bought it in downtown Recto (I eventually found that it belong to the self-help genre). The book's title, "Think and Grow Rich" by napoleon Hill just flashed in my mind and, finding no prospective book to read at that time, I plunged on. As of this writing, I had finished the second round of reading it with future plans of doing it the third, fourth, and fifth time as my time permits. But life is too short and there's too much of books I still got to read. ^_^
Anyway, I'd outlined here a summary of the book's philisophy of how to accumulate Huge Amounts of money. I also found fascinating the subjects on the Principle of Autosuggestion and (get this!!) The Mystery of Sex Transmutation! Getting curious what these are all about..?? Why don't you grab the book and be awakened by the eternal truths on how to "attract" the surging wave of riches.
* Find something you love to do. You have to love what you are doing; you have to be anxious to go to work in the morning. Until you find something that you really love to do, you are probably not going to be successful because just making money doesn't make you successful.
* Develop a plan of action. Developing a plan takes more than just thinking. You have to take action, too. Hill says you may not have all the details figured out in the beginning, but forming a plan is a good start. You can always alter your plan later on, he adds.
* Involve other people. Hill states that in addition to finding something we are passionate about, we need to align ourselves with other people to accomplish our goals. No matter how smart we are, we need others because we can't know everything about a particular thing.
* Don't forget to give back. The more success you have, the more you are in a position to give back and make a difference in the lives of others is the philosophy that I have imbibed by reading this book. Most people who have been successful are very willing to help someone else achieve their own goals.
I wish to state here the insights I've gained in reading this book, but I think it will deprive you of the fascination of knowing these things first hand. I envy you the journey of truly knowing yourself. Remember it's not the destination that matters, but how you've come to enjoy the journey and made the most out of it!
My warm regards and happy reading! ^_^
Anyway, I'd outlined here a summary of the book's philisophy of how to accumulate Huge Amounts of money. I also found fascinating the subjects on the Principle of Autosuggestion and (get this!!) The Mystery of Sex Transmutation! Getting curious what these are all about..?? Why don't you grab the book and be awakened by the eternal truths on how to "attract" the surging wave of riches.
* Find something you love to do. You have to love what you are doing; you have to be anxious to go to work in the morning. Until you find something that you really love to do, you are probably not going to be successful because just making money doesn't make you successful.
* Develop a plan of action. Developing a plan takes more than just thinking. You have to take action, too. Hill says you may not have all the details figured out in the beginning, but forming a plan is a good start. You can always alter your plan later on, he adds.
* Involve other people. Hill states that in addition to finding something we are passionate about, we need to align ourselves with other people to accomplish our goals. No matter how smart we are, we need others because we can't know everything about a particular thing.
* Don't forget to give back. The more success you have, the more you are in a position to give back and make a difference in the lives of others is the philosophy that I have imbibed by reading this book. Most people who have been successful are very willing to help someone else achieve their own goals.
I wish to state here the insights I've gained in reading this book, but I think it will deprive you of the fascination of knowing these things first hand. I envy you the journey of truly knowing yourself. Remember it's not the destination that matters, but how you've come to enjoy the journey and made the most out of it!
My warm regards and happy reading! ^_^
October 19, 2009
Do I have to give this a star? This is a self help book that has some good ideas, most of which people already know they should be doing to be successful. He takes on such controversial issues as "never giving up," "planning ahead," and the ever progressive and edgy idea "talk with smart people to get good ideas." The only real problem with the book is he studied hundreds of successful people and that is his research. All of the people had their own individual ways of becoming successful, and yet he boils down everything to one specific plan on how to be successful. So even though everyone he studied didn't do everything in his book, he makes the logical leap that to be successful you need to do everything in the book. Oh, and if there is something you don't like (talking to yourself in the mirror for example) you're just not ready for it yet.
Bottom line, he has good yet not novel ideas that he got from successful people along with inspiring stories of success but he takes too much liberty with his research drawing definite conclusions for the secret formula for success without sufficient data. If you like this book I can point you to a thousand other self help books along these lines, but it wasn't for me.
Bottom line, he has good yet not novel ideas that he got from successful people along with inspiring stories of success but he takes too much liberty with his research drawing definite conclusions for the secret formula for success without sufficient data. If you like this book I can point you to a thousand other self help books along these lines, but it wasn't for me.
April 7, 2020
Of all the self-help books I've read in the recent times, this is the only one I dare to rate it 5 stars. It is indeed powerful enough to knock-out a boxer.
To make the most out of this book, one time reading is not enough, time to time you need to revisit and pick the chapter you're lacking in your personal life and re-read it. I'm planning to read this book every year at least one time. After reading this one, it's no surprise why most of the youtube channels and blogposts return this book in top search results when typed "list of best self-help books of all time".
This books strongly emphasises on principles which bring money conscious and transform your strong desire to it's monetary equivalent. Principles that point-out your weaknesses, helps you in correcting them and brings you money awareness.
I found few chapters to be complex in understanding, example: Mystery of Sex Transmutation. I'm not intelligent or matured enough to understand the meaning and philosophy tucked in it. But thanks to google and few youtube channels which gave me proper and clear explanation and I felt much better for making an effort to find out the meaning which is definitely essential to grow rich.
If you've come this far and pick-up a book with bold title then you should be definitely having a burning desire to live upto your potential and grow rich, I give you a resounding affirmation that this book will help you.
To make the most out of this book, one time reading is not enough, time to time you need to revisit and pick the chapter you're lacking in your personal life and re-read it. I'm planning to read this book every year at least one time. After reading this one, it's no surprise why most of the youtube channels and blogposts return this book in top search results when typed "list of best self-help books of all time".
This books strongly emphasises on principles which bring money conscious and transform your strong desire to it's monetary equivalent. Principles that point-out your weaknesses, helps you in correcting them and brings you money awareness.
I found few chapters to be complex in understanding, example: Mystery of Sex Transmutation. I'm not intelligent or matured enough to understand the meaning and philosophy tucked in it. But thanks to google and few youtube channels which gave me proper and clear explanation and I felt much better for making an effort to find out the meaning which is definitely essential to grow rich.
If you've come this far and pick-up a book with bold title then you should be definitely having a burning desire to live upto your potential and grow rich, I give you a resounding affirmation that this book will help you.
May 28, 2017
فكر و ضاعف ثروتك .. لــنابليون هيل
كتاب تنمية ذانية من 250 صفحة..
من مجموعة أفضل الكتب في التنمية التي قرأتها إلى الآن .. هذا الكتاب أحسن مرجع لمن يبحث عن كيفية الحصول على المال و مضاعفة الثروة ..
الكتاب يحتوي على أفكار عملية و تطبيقية .. لتنمية وعيك المالي و اصلاح كل ما من شأنه أن يفسد عليك فرصة الحصول على المال و جمعه ..
وبحيث يحكي لنا الكاتب قصص ناجحين أمثال هنري فورد و أديسون و غيرهم .. و المنهج المتبع لديهم حتى أصبحوا من أغنى الأغنياء ..
يعني الكتاب باختصار حصيلة دراسات أعوام للأغنياء و منهج حياتهم و أسلوبهم و طريقة تفكيرهم ..
------
المبادئ التي يجب أن تتبعها لحصولك على المال
1 - حرق الرغبات : يجب أن تقع في حب أهدافك
2 - الايمان المطلق
3 - تحدث إلى ذاتك : أخبر بأهدافك إلى نفسك مرتين في اليوم في الوقت الحاضر
4 - تخصص : نمي معرفتك في المجال و التخصص و المهنة التي تعمل فيها
5 -تخيل : ما العقل يمكن تصوره ويعتقد أنه يمكن تحقيقه
6 - ضع مخططك .. نفذ مخططك
7 - اتخذ قرارك .. قرر الآن و فورا ، الكون يحب السرعة
8 - كن مثابرا
9 - شكِّل العقل المدبر
10 - حول رغباتك إلى وقود لتحقيق هدفك
11 - أعد برمجة معتقداتك
12 - استمع إلى مشاعر امعائك
13 - الحاسة السادسة : كن منفتحا على العالم
كتاب تنمية ذانية من 250 صفحة..
من مجموعة أفضل الكتب في التنمية التي قرأتها إلى الآن .. هذا الكتاب أحسن مرجع لمن يبحث عن كيفية الحصول على المال و مضاعفة الثروة ..
الكتاب يحتوي على أفكار عملية و تطبيقية .. لتنمية وعيك المالي و اصلاح كل ما من شأنه أن يفسد عليك فرصة الحصول على المال و جمعه ..
وبحيث يحكي لنا الكاتب قصص ناجحين أمثال هنري فورد و أديسون و غيرهم .. و المنهج المتبع لديهم حتى أصبحوا من أغنى الأغنياء ..
يعني الكتاب باختصار حصيلة دراسات أعوام للأغنياء و منهج حياتهم و أسلوبهم و طريقة تفكيرهم ..
------
المبادئ التي يجب أن تتبعها لحصولك على المال
1 - حرق الرغبات : يجب أن تقع في حب أهدافك
2 - الايمان المطلق
3 - تحدث إلى ذاتك : أخبر بأهدافك إلى نفسك مرتين في اليوم في الوقت الحاضر
4 - تخصص : نمي معرفتك في المجال و التخصص و المهنة التي تعمل فيها
5 -تخيل : ما العقل يمكن تصوره ويعتقد أنه يمكن تحقيقه
6 - ضع مخططك .. نفذ مخططك
7 - اتخذ قرارك .. قرر الآن و فورا ، الكون يحب السرعة
8 - كن مثابرا
9 - شكِّل العقل المدبر
10 - حول رغباتك إلى وقود لتحقيق هدفك
11 - أعد برمجة معتقداتك
12 - استمع إلى مشاعر امعائك
13 - الحاسة السادسة : كن منفتحا على العالم
March 7, 2009
I have read hundreds of books over the past many years in my quest for success. "Think and Grow Rich" truly stands right near the top. It has made a positive impact on my life in many ways.
Frankly, as with many wonderful books, I have applied the principles in this book and have reaped incredible results.
Frankly, as with many wonderful books, I have applied the principles in this book and have reaped incredible results.
March 20, 2015
I'm amazed that this book continues to be so popular. The fact that was popular at the time is not surprising, but for a modern reader to enjoy wading through so much superstition and pseudoscience simply to get at a handful of actionable ideas baffles me.
What Hill got right: becoming successful in business (as in anything) requires desire and focus. He understood this and did a good job of summarizing the overall idea. Unfortunately, he spends the rest of the book hammering away at that idea to the point of annoying many readers. He also offers a few valuable suggestions such as to practically brainstorm about goals or how to review them.
What he gets wrong (just to mention a few points): 1. Desire does not guarantee that something will happen. Hill describes the outcome of desire as a certainty, rather than a likelihood. 2. Refusing to let his mute son to learn sign language did not cure the boy's hearing loss (seriously?). 3. Tearing the word "impossible" out of a dictionary doesn't change the nature of reality. 4. Appealing to science and research is hearsay without citation 5. Writing every other word in CAPS is not CONVINCING.
So many other books can inspire entrepreneurs without the nonsense in this work. I suggest reading something else, maybe Seth Godin or Michael Gerber.
What Hill got right: becoming successful in business (as in anything) requires desire and focus. He understood this and did a good job of summarizing the overall idea. Unfortunately, he spends the rest of the book hammering away at that idea to the point of annoying many readers. He also offers a few valuable suggestions such as to practically brainstorm about goals or how to review them.
What he gets wrong (just to mention a few points): 1. Desire does not guarantee that something will happen. Hill describes the outcome of desire as a certainty, rather than a likelihood. 2. Refusing to let his mute son to learn sign language did not cure the boy's hearing loss (seriously?). 3. Tearing the word "impossible" out of a dictionary doesn't change the nature of reality. 4. Appealing to science and research is hearsay without citation 5. Writing every other word in CAPS is not CONVINCING.
So many other books can inspire entrepreneurs without the nonsense in this work. I suggest reading something else, maybe Seth Godin or Michael Gerber.
January 25, 2018
I eat up self-improvement books on a pretty regular basis and age or popularity ordinarily does nothing to persuade my interest. Given the longevity of this one I, however, relented. This was a pretty quick read, gave clear suggestions to improve success, and was full of interesting and inspirational anecdotes.
As I continued to read through this book, I found it to become a little samey. Like many books of this type there are only a few core elements that the book is structured around. The 'filler' often lay in the convincing stories that allow the reader to believe they can emulate the success. This occurred but I appreciated the positivity and was, initially, convinced on its brilliance. I soon began to question how the seemingly simple suggestions could relate the real-world, however. There were some inspiring elements but I found others to be beyond the range of my belief and could not believe that success and riches could be so easily garnered.
This was a solid self-improvement book but I have read others, in the same vein, that gave me a more solid foundation on which to go ahead and achieve all promised, in my own life.
As I continued to read through this book, I found it to become a little samey. Like many books of this type there are only a few core elements that the book is structured around. The 'filler' often lay in the convincing stories that allow the reader to believe they can emulate the success. This occurred but I appreciated the positivity and was, initially, convinced on its brilliance. I soon began to question how the seemingly simple suggestions could relate the real-world, however. There were some inspiring elements but I found others to be beyond the range of my belief and could not believe that success and riches could be so easily garnered.
This was a solid self-improvement book but I have read others, in the same vein, that gave me a more solid foundation on which to go ahead and achieve all promised, in my own life.
July 13, 2012
The mind cannot differentiate between truth and falsehood, we simply need to instruct or manipulate it toward a certain mode!
'Think and Grow Rich' by Napoleon Hill, takes an in depth look at the power of the mind and personal belief and how these influence our success. Hill uses examples of past success such as Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford and Thomas Edison to show how factors such as desire, the subconscious mind, faith and goals can interweave to create favorable condition for success.
The title of this book can be quite deceiving. I thought it would be a get rich quick book but was pleasantly surprised. Hill used timeless principles to illustrate the power of the mind, visualization and channeling our desires to attaining financial greatness. While the book was written many years ago, the principles demonstrated here in fact serve as guides to modern day self-help programs and books. The chapter on autosuggestion showing how we have the power to direct our minds toward achieving a certain goal fascinated me. Hill shows how the mind cannot differentiate between truth and falsehood, we simply need to instruct or manipulate it toward a certain mode.
This is a must read for everyone, regardless of your professional background. The insight you receive here will help you move from procrastination and fear to actualizing your goals.
'Think and Grow Rich' by Napoleon Hill, takes an in depth look at the power of the mind and personal belief and how these influence our success. Hill uses examples of past success such as Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford and Thomas Edison to show how factors such as desire, the subconscious mind, faith and goals can interweave to create favorable condition for success.
The title of this book can be quite deceiving. I thought it would be a get rich quick book but was pleasantly surprised. Hill used timeless principles to illustrate the power of the mind, visualization and channeling our desires to attaining financial greatness. While the book was written many years ago, the principles demonstrated here in fact serve as guides to modern day self-help programs and books. The chapter on autosuggestion showing how we have the power to direct our minds toward achieving a certain goal fascinated me. Hill shows how the mind cannot differentiate between truth and falsehood, we simply need to instruct or manipulate it toward a certain mode.
This is a must read for everyone, regardless of your professional background. The insight you receive here will help you move from procrastination and fear to actualizing your goals.
November 20, 2017
Unlike Good to Great I don't necessarily see this book as a must-read for business. I thoroughly enjoyed it myself and found a lot of the advice useful for life and self-belief, but as far as a business bible I wouldn't swear on it. What I did find enjoyable was sdespite some of the outdated advice, most of the "self worth" and envisioning/thinking goals into existence are still relevant and while people may disagree with the actual effectiveness of them they do help bolster one's self esteem, which is always important.
It was a fun little exploration into business books but I do not base my decisions on it.
It was a fun little exploration into business books but I do not base my decisions on it.
November 26, 2012
One of the best books I've ever read. It kept me thinking the whole time about the ideas that I've encountered in this book. It talks about the new philosophy of enlightenment with practical applications of it.
The book talks mainly about accumulating riches, but it could be replaced by any other gaol that one desires.
This book will probably affect your life greatly if you're not already familiar with the new age of enlightenment.
If I have to criticize it, it'll be about one thing only: that the author used too many stories of famous, successful people; when he could maximally use two to prove the same point. Other than that; it's a great book on all levels and I highly recommend it.
P.S. it's a super positive book; hence, not recommended for sad people.
The book talks mainly about accumulating riches, but it could be replaced by any other gaol that one desires.
This book will probably affect your life greatly if you're not already familiar with the new age of enlightenment.
If I have to criticize it, it'll be about one thing only: that the author used too many stories of famous, successful people; when he could maximally use two to prove the same point. Other than that; it's a great book on all levels and I highly recommend it.
P.S. it's a super positive book; hence, not recommended for sad people.
August 12, 2016
I have no DESIRE to finish this book. The way this is written makes me want to throw it down every time I pick it up. I gave up at page 112. Not only is the book FILLED with annoying all-capital words and italicization's, there's a ton of New Age-y HOKUM to boot. This book seems to be the blueprint for self help books. It is so absurdly cliche by this point in time. If wealth is your particular self help interest, you're better off reading about some practical ways to accumulate wealth, rather than some dude who made HIS millions telling you there's some miraculous secret that can only be fulfilled by your DESIRE. Give me a break. It is quite literally impossible for each of the millions of people who believe the crap in this book to make even half the amount of money that the people Hill's referring to in this book had made. Regarding the New Age aspects of this book, as soon as I see words like "vibrations" and "ether," I want to light the pages on fire. A self help book about wealth which includes New Age terms, no practical or logical steps to accumulate wealth, no quantifiable data, nay, ANY scientific rigor whatsoever, is completely disingenuous about being for your benefit. By the way, this amazing SECRET that's mentioned in the first page of the book, is still not revealed by page 112. I'm sure it'll magically reveal itself to you when you make your first billion. This book was a total waste of time.
July 1, 2020
"A QUITTER NEVER WINS – AND – A WINNER NEVER QUITS."
Think and Grow Rich, in my opinion, is a one of a kind book, and offers readers a completely new paradigm for achieving one's life desires, whatever they may be.
When I picked up this book, I did not expect it to differ much from the other self-help books in terms of principles to follow. But how amazingly the author had organized this guide? what an incredible amount of information he had analyzed in presenting these principles?
I don't imagine there are many other books which required and carried out more thorough research than this book. The time you invest on reading this incredible guide will no doubt open your mind to a brand new reality of thinking. It is no wonder that this books is at top of almost all the 'best ever self-help books.' I will not miss re-reading this at least once a year.
"SUCCESS REQUIRES NO EXPLANATIONS. FAILURES PERMITS NO ALIBIS."
Think and Grow Rich, in my opinion, is a one of a kind book, and offers readers a completely new paradigm for achieving one's life desires, whatever they may be.
When I picked up this book, I did not expect it to differ much from the other self-help books in terms of principles to follow. But how amazingly the author had organized this guide? what an incredible amount of information he had analyzed in presenting these principles?
I don't imagine there are many other books which required and carried out more thorough research than this book. The time you invest on reading this incredible guide will no doubt open your mind to a brand new reality of thinking. It is no wonder that this books is at top of almost all the 'best ever self-help books.' I will not miss re-reading this at least once a year.
"SUCCESS REQUIRES NO EXPLANATIONS. FAILURES PERMITS NO ALIBIS."
September 2, 2025
Money can’t buy happiness but ___.
What do you say?
✨What the book is about:
☑️inspirational and motivational self help book with anecdotes and real life experiences on what makes a person achieve their goals
☑️the differences between a person who achieves their goals vs the rest
💫Tips on reading this book:
☑️pick up this book only when you need some motivation and you believe you are going to gain something out of it
☑️take your time reading every chapter and DO NOT skip the introduction
☑️try not to read the entire book in one go as each chapter has lots to offer and even within a chapter, some parts will need you to take your time to digest and take in what the author is trying to say
Yes, a book for everyone and it lives up to the hype I say.
What do you say?
✨What the book is about:
☑️inspirational and motivational self help book with anecdotes and real life experiences on what makes a person achieve their goals
☑️the differences between a person who achieves their goals vs the rest
💫Tips on reading this book:
☑️pick up this book only when you need some motivation and you believe you are going to gain something out of it
☑️take your time reading every chapter and DO NOT skip the introduction
☑️try not to read the entire book in one go as each chapter has lots to offer and even within a chapter, some parts will need you to take your time to digest and take in what the author is trying to say
Yes, a book for everyone and it lives up to the hype I say.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 11,845 reviews