Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill: Review

It is difficult to find something personally un-appealing, yet effective when considered on its own terms. You might not enjoy reading the book—I found some parts pretty darn boring—but it is an intriguing book. 

Although Hill’s original purpose of writing Think and Grow Rich was to teach us how to make as much money as possible and become shrewd in business, this book is actually a masterpiece in the science and art of achieving success in virtually all facets of life.  

Despite its few flaws, this one deserves to be ranked at the top of get-rich and motivational books. I would aptly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a stand-alone business and life guidebook.

Think and Grow Rich contains 13 steps to obtaining success. This is the end products of more than two decades of serious research conducted by Napoleon Hill where he interviewed more than 500 successful individuals in a wide array of disciplines. 

He started the research when Andrew Carnegie, who was the richest man then, gave him an assignment to organize a philosophy of success. Among the people Hill interviewed included Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Alexander Graham Bell, George Eastman, John Rockefeller, Charles Schwab and William Wrigley.

Hill then put together the masterpiece in the form of 13 steps to success (which became Think and Grow Rich) and 17 principles of successes which he taught in form lectures and courses. 

Napoleon was way ahead of his time. His was to bring success to the average person by explaining the principles of success in very simple terms so that anyone, irrespective of their profession, level of education and family background, can build a successful and prosperous future for themselves. 

First published in 1937, at the height of the great depression, the book became an instant success. It has sold more than 70 million copies and it is one of the most mentioned business motivation books in the internet.  Considering the fact that this motivational masterpiece is still widely read more than 79 years since its first publication, you know that the information to be gained is truly valuable. The 13 steps to success include:

1.      Desire: one should use deep desire as a goal of obtaining what they really want

2.     Faith: Hill is basically saying that we should have strong faith that the future holds great things for us.

3.     Autosuggestion: what Hill is basically saying here is that if we keep repeating our goals to ourselves, those goals will become a reality. This is  principle was expounded by “The Secret”

4.     Specialized knowledge: it is important to have specialized knowledge instead of being a jack of all trades.

5.     Imagination: what the mind can conceive, it can achieve. Every achiever has an element of rich imagination.

6.    Organized planning: it is important for everyone to have a plan for success

7.     Decision: we should never be afraid to make decision even if it means having to make hard decisions.

8.     Persistence: persistence is means that you will not deviate from your goals no matter the obstacles you may encounter along the way.

9.     Mastermind: success is largely attributed to the ability to pick great ideas from great minds. Surround yourself with like-minded people.

10. The mystery of sex transmutation: this chapter is perhaps the vaguest in the books. I personally don’t think the details of your sex life has anything to do with your success or failure. Instead of attributing success to sex, a loving and supporting family could make more sense. I honestly don’t think sex can be a factor because I have seen men and women who practice celibacy achieve great things in life.

11.   The subconscious mind: expunge negative thoughts from your mind because negative thoughts will register in your subconscious and pull you down.

12.  The brain: taking care of the brain and being mindful of the non-verbal cues you send to the brain can pay enormous dividends.

13.  The sixth sense: buried deep within us is the sixth sense. Sometimes our sixth sense can be the driving force behind the ingenious decisions we make.

To buy or not to buy?

More than any other book I have read, Think and Grow Rich can be described as the mother of all motivational books. If a ready buys this book seeking guidance on how to get rich, they will find it. If a reader comes into this book pursuing a deeper meaning in life, they will find abundant practical advice. Therefore, this books winds up being all things to all people.