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Hi all,
At the used bookstore today I picked up a copy of the famous and well cited book "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. Have any of you read it? If so, what did you think of it? Is it helpful or useful? Does it have good advice? Or is it just another pop psychology New Age type claptrap about positive thinking and "belief creates reality" cliches?

Of course, a practical realist will say "If you could become rich by reading a book, everyone would do it." So we could conclude that such books may help, but in the end, even if everyone did everything the book teaches, still, only a small percentage of people will succeed and become wealthy.

There are many versions of this book for some reason. Here are two versions on Amazon.com:

If you already have that attitude about the book, you are probably wasting your time reading it. Know, however, that a great many wealthy and successful people, even Bruce Lee, I recently found, swear by it.

The_Adventurer wrote:If you already have that attitude about the book, you are probably wasting your time reading it. Know, however, that a great many wealthy and successful people, even Bruce Lee, I recently found, swear by it.

Did the book help you? If so, how? I've started reading it and it is interesting so far. Why are there so many versions of it? That's confusing.

It's a good read. It's nice to read something not so politically correct.

One interesting nugget is that he claims men can't get rich before the age of 40 - women clouds their judgement.

I guess the Internet age has made it easier for younger dudes to make money in their earlier lives.

Winston, I bought that book when I was in college and it was very informative and well written. I should read it again, since it's been years since I read it last. It's not your typical "self help book" it actually has practical ideas that anyone can use in their every day life.

Winston wrote:

The_Adventurer wrote:If you already have that attitude about the book, you are probably wasting your time reading it. Know, however, that a great many wealthy and successful people, even Bruce Lee, I recently found, swear by it.

Did the book help you? If so, how? I've started reading it and it is interesting so far. Why are there so many versions of it? That's confusing.

From what I've heard, some earlier draft of the book was a bit more new age-ish, but it was eventually revised to be more practical and hands on. The book has helped me a lot. I think if I stuck harder to the principals I would be even further along.

It is interesting what Xiongmao says about wealth and age. Studying a large number of super rich, outisde of the tech age and entertainment stuff, they pretty much ALL become millionaires after 40, and billionaires after 60. This primarily applies to real business men. Things like Facebook are, in my opinion, more akin to someone putting out a super successful movie and getting rich, as opposed to the path of Ford or Gillette in building a business. Not trying to knock his accomplishment, but it is a pop culture phenomenon that will come and go as they always do.

Be advised, Winston, part of the formula is what he calls "sexual transmutation," by which he means not taking dishonorable discharges. So it would be hands off.

Does anyone know what "the secret" supposedly hidden in the book is? I paid about 12 bucks for an e-book that purported to reveal it, but I wasn't satisfied with the rather convoluted answer.

gsjackson wrote:Be advised, Winston, part of the formula is what he calls "sexual transmutation," by which he means not taking dishonorable discharges. So it would be hands off.

Does anyone know what "the secret" supposedly hidden in the book is? I paid about 12 bucks for an e-book that purported to reveal it, but I wasn't satisfied with the rather convoluted answer.

You mean that the book says that you have to stop masturbing in order to "think and grow rich"? Why? lol. How does masturbation interfere with a man's development?

I have noticed that when you masturbate you have lower energy and drive for some reason. You also gain weight more if you masturbate because your metabolism slows down perhaps? And if you don't do it, your metabolism goes up and you burn fat more. That's just my hunch. What do you think?

What does the book say about sex with a woman then? Is that ok?

Winston wrote:

gsjackson wrote:Be advised, Winston, part of the formula is what he calls "sexual transmutation," by which he means not taking dishonorable discharges. So it would be hands off.

Does anyone know what "the secret" supposedly hidden in the book is? I paid about 12 bucks for an e-book that purported to reveal it, but I wasn't satisfied with the rather convoluted answer.

You mean that the book says that you have to stop masturbing in order to "think and grow rich"? Why? lol. How does masturbation interfere with a man's development?

I have noticed that when you masturbate you have lower energy and drive for some reason. You also gain weight more if you masturbate because your metabolism slows down perhaps? And if you don't do it, your metabolism goes up and you burn fat more. That's just my hunch. What do you think?

What does the book say about sex with a woman then? Is that ok?

I think Hill's idea is that the sex drive is the strongest of all, so you sublimate and channel it into being successful in all areas of life. No can do if you're always deploying it to chase p***y. The book was written in a much more chaste era -- Hill himself was a very old school sort of guy -- and it would have been indelicate for him to bring up the subject of nailing women, so he doesn't.

The theory about metabolism sounds plausible Haven't heard it before.

Think and grow rich... I've never read the book, but I've heard a lot about it. I do know how to get rich fast without thinking about it though.

What about these other best sellers with a similar theme? Have any of you read them?

- "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie
- "The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People" by Steven Covey

Do they say similar things? Or are they different?

Is Dale Carnegie related to the famous industrial tycoon Andrew Carnegie?

"How to Win friends and Influence People" is more practical advice for social advancement, less of the New Thought Metaphysics (e.g., thoughts are things) of Hill. Covey's book is as titled -- seven particular thought habits that make for success. You know, "think win-win," and that sort of thing.

I'm pretty sure Dale Carnegie isn't related to Andrew, but I'm going to check on that straightaway.