Think and Grow Rich

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Summary: Think & Grow Rich -- Book Summary
Review: "Think & Grow Rich" has withstood the test of time and is undoubtedly a perennial classic. After nearly fifty years it remains one of the most highly recommended "how-to" books on becoming rich. The book received the stamp of approval from American industrialist Andrew Carnegie who originally recommended that Napoleon Hill undertake the project in order to share with the world the secret to wealth. However, Hill realized that even if he explicitly divulged the secret the sad truth was that 98 out of 100 people would still never succeed financially because they lacked definite purpose.

There are no two ways about it. In order to become rich a person must possess an inviolable reason for wanting to succeed. It is imperative to develop a "money consciousness." Hill writes, "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 wealth" (204). If you are part of the 2% who already possesses a strong sense of purpose, then you will easily pick up the secret of wealth interspersed throughout the book's encrypted pages. However, if you need some help, then look no further than reading the title.

There is a reason why the book is NOT entitled "Work Harder and Longer & Grow Rich." Once you comprehend that you are capable of achieving anything when you put your "mind" to it, you will understand what Hill meant when he wrote, "Man can create nothing which he does not first conceive in thought" (199). This central tenet (i.e. the "secret") serves as the basis for which Hill's thirteen principles are based. These principles include desire, faith, autosuggestion, specialized knowledge, imagination, organized planning, decision, persistence, Master Mind alliances, sex transmutation, the subconscious mind, the brain, and the sixth sense. These principles are nothing more than methods for focusing the mind on those activities that will best contribute to your likelihood for success.

Of course, Hill understood that the message is nothing if not passionately understood and applied. So with this purpose in mind, Hill presents us with a brief poem that helps to put things into perspective, and more importantly to help us develop a money consciousness by appealing to us emotionally:

"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 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." (42)

The poem is worth reading more than once. I understand it to mean that anything is possible if you name it and are willing to work intelligently toward it despite what you might perceive as barriers to achieving that goal (e.g. economic background, lack of money, unsupportive family, too old, etc.). In other words, YOU choose your life, not your circumstances and not anyone else, but it doesn't come free. If you are sufficiently motivated, then the next step is to follow Hill's "Six Ways to Turn Desires into Gold" on page 36, but you'll have to read the book to find out what they are.

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Summary: The unmentionable chapter...
Review: There's one chapter in this book that's either not mentioned or is glossed over in the modern re-do's. It's a chapter that gave me the fortitude to sometimes work for days without sleep in the emergency room, yet the summary booklet that I received with a modern recorded summary only hinted at the chapter. Even though Mr. Hill claimed this chapter holds the key to the best motivator available, the chapter is the chapter that cannot be named in the modern redo books and tapes that were offspring of Mr. Hill's work.

With over 200 glowing reviews about the book in general I couldn't agree more (this book and The Power of Postitive Thinking kept me on track through medical school and a few businesses). I've pulled it out frequently in good times and bad and plugged into the knowledge and strength of Mr. Hill. I won't waste more space explaining why it needs 5 stars. I would like to specifically testify to the wisdom in the unmentionable chapter...Chapter XI The Power of Sex Transmutation.

Who could get away with publishing a book in 2005 with a chapter subtitle like Mr. Hill used..."the worthlessness of money without women." Though the chapter is politically incorrect, the wisdom of the power of sex energy to motivate and energize when rechanneled to a worthy cause is undeniable.

For more on this subject, I recommend that you read Walden by Henry David Thoreau especially his chapter entitled, "Higher Laws." There's another book called "The Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth" by Peter Kelder that explores this theme. Also, see "Anytime...for As Long as You Want: Strength, Genius, Libido, and Erection by Integrative Sex Transmutation" for more practical advice about how to plug into the power of Sex Transmutation.

Few seem to doubt the deep pure source of power and wisdom that comes from this book. Every part of it seems to bear the test of time, even the chapter that can't be named.

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Summary: The Elvis of Self-Help Offal
Review: Why do I say that this book is the Elvis of self-help offal? Because, quite literally, since its first printing some seventy or so years ago, it has spawned many objectionable pretenders to the throne. Some are unabashed plagiarizations of this book's contents, while others have profitted handsomely by distilling one or more of its useful concepts. You probably own more than a few of these books, and they probably reside in a box, tucked in the corner of your attic, closet or garage, where they quietly molder and gather dust. There have been, currently are, and most certainly will be many books like it, albeit disguised with catchy titles and stuffed with the latest and most trendy psycho-babble of the moment, but none will ever be truly the same as this book. Those who excel in their chosen professions not only know the secret it purports to 'show' the reader, but truly live it with every fiber of their being. This even I recognize now after gleaning the secrets of this book.

As for the contents of the book, it purports to have the secret formula for personal achievement, as divulged to Napoleon Hill by no less than Andrew Carnegie. In the grand tradition of all the great writers, Dr. Hill did not tell the reader the secret; rather, he showed it to the reader repeatedly by way of example. In fact, he divulged it in his foreword (and come to think of it, in the testimonials preceding the contents of the book). The book is the original source for such hackneyed sayings as, 'Never take NO for an answer', 'If you believe it, you can achieve it', 'Attitude determines altitude', and my personal favorite, 'A quitter never wins and a winner never quits'.

Every book rests on certain key assumptions, and every writer has his or her own biases, and these, in the context of Dr. Hill's subject matter, are fairly obvious. Yet, given that everyone has his or her own shortcomings, the contents of the book can be summed up in one sentence: the key to success, whether you define it materially or spiritually, is internal and not external. The entire book elaborates at length on this central point. Indeed, when you stare at the cover of the book, about one-half of the secret that it purports to teach stares you in the face. For the other half, which talks at length about the application of this secret, you will have to pick up a copy of the book and read for yourself.

While I did not agree with everything Dr. Hill professed, I did like the book overall. Even though I have no interest in riches (though I would not protest too much if they flowed my way as a result of my efforts), I nonetheless found the book quite useful. Indeed, I will include it as a permanent member of my professional armamentarium, in spite of some its more glaring flaws. I highly recommend it to those sincerely desiring to change for the better, and grow as an individual. In sum, this book, combined with The Thinker's Way by John Chaffee, will do much to aid anyone in gaining the most from efforts devoted toward self-improvement and personal development.


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Summary: Get Back on Track with Napoleon Hill
Review: A big believer in the power of self-discovery and self-evaluation, I was intrigued by Napoleon Hill's ideas when I first read about this book many moons ago. Once I actually started to read the book, it didn't take long to discover some important truths about myself (and the "secret" that he refers to in the introduction) that I had been trying to come to grips with for many years, but couldn't quite identify. Perhaps it would even be appropriate to call Mr. Hill's principles "Magical". By the end of the first chapter, I felt that familiar, wonderful inner motivating buzz that I was on the verge of something phenomenal for my life. Time will tell how well I process and put into action the principles, but I am excited about the new discoveries and perspectives I have acquired, and the opportunity to work them in my life -- and I'm not finished reading yet! I am savoring every chapter and idea, re-reading them over and over to fully digest before moving on to the next phase. This truly is a book everyone should read. You don't have to want to be a millionaire for it to benefit you. These principles will help you in every area of life. Dare to dream, and never give up!

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Summary: Read this book and your life will be changed forever!
Review: I had never heard of this book until a friend recommended it to me. Think and Grow Rich is a wonderful book about how to achieve what you want in life, not just gain monetary wealth. I have read the book many times, gaining more and more each time. It has become one of my favorite books! I can honestly say this book has changed my whole outlook on life. Read it!!!!

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Summary: www.carrierrate.com helped by this book
Review: I am a 26 year old owner of a succesfull online company. My company does over 4 million anually and we have been in business for only 2 years.I make more money then anyone i know. I guess you are wondering why i am mentioning this. I owe it all to this book! it was the best education i ever recieved. Not only did it help me monetarily it also helped me in my personal life as well. I was probably the worst student in school didnt even go to college as you can tell my grammer isnt the best. But who cares! I hire the poeple with the college degrees now. You see i picked up a copy of this while in the military and ever since then i turned my way of thinking around. I stopped thinking about what poeple/goverment owes me to what i owe myself. Don't get me wrong it only starts with this book. You need to go on a self help book binge! Start with this one then pick up a copy of Max maltz's Psycho-Cybernetics. Then you need to read the stories of succesfull poeple. Learn why these men become so wealthy. Another great book is sharing the wealth by alex spanos. Although the critics didnt enjoy it i always find it interesting how someone goes from being broke to a billionaire. I pretty much dedicated 2 years to reading every success story and self help book i could find. Try it, it worked for me!

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Summary: Thoughts are Powerful Things
Review: A journey through Napoleon Hill's Magnum Opus 'Think & Grow Rich' could be a life changing experience in a positive direction that no university in the world can confer. The formulas incorporated in the book based on the secrets of philosophy of successful people is a great work of research available to the public at large. Success comes to all who is ready to persist for a definite purpose having burning desire for the same. Winners do not quit, and quitters do not win. Mr. Hill says no one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as a reality. The author has analysed the fears of failure in the most logical manner. One of the fears as it is quoted is fear of death which is a million year old question of "Whence & Whither"; where did I come from, and where am I going? which is answered by the almighty Lord Krishna in the holy 'The Bhagavad Gita', 27th verse of second discourse: 'Jatasya hi dhruvo mrutyu, dhruvam janma mrutusya cha', meaning 'Certain is death for the born, and certain is birth for the dead'; therefore over the inevitable thou shouldst not grieve. Whatever you think YOU CAN or YOU CANT, eitherways you are right. Riches begin with a thought. This book is the basic for every single library.