Think and Grow Rich

Think and Grow Rich! (ISBN 1593302002) is considered by many to be one of the most important motivational texts ever written. Written by Napoleon Hill and inspired by Andrew Carnegie, it was released in 1937 at the end of the Great Depression. In 1960, Hill published an abridged version of the book, which for years was the only one generally available. In 2004, Ross Cornwell published "Think and Grow Rich!: The Original Version, Restored and Revised," which restored the book to its original form, with slight revisions, and added the first comprehensive endnotes, index, and appendix the book had ever contained.

The text of "Think and Grow Rich!" was based on Hill's earlier work The Law of Success, which was the result of more than twenty years of research based on Hill's close association with a large number of individuals who managed to achieve great wealth during the course of their lifetimes.

Napoleon Hill studied the characteristics of these great achievers, and as a result developed fifteen 'laws' that he hoped could be applied by anybody to achieve success. Think and Grow Rich! itself condenses these laws further, and provides the reader with 13 principles in the form of a philosophy of personal achievement.

Reflected in these principles is the importance of cultivating a burning desire, faith, autosuggestion and persistence in the attainment of one's goals. Hill also discusses the importance of overcoming many of the most common fears that can adversely affect one's thinking and potential.

Critics of the book refer to the spiritual context of a lot of the writing, as well as the obviously dated examples and the fact that many of the principles are in fact no more than common sense. However, it cannot be denied that the work itself has influenced many people, and still sells many copies. According to one publisher, the book has now sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.

Quote

"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve." – Napoleon Hill

References

• "A Lifetime of Riches" (ISBN 0525941460)

External links

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