Although originally published in 1937, this amazing book still stands out among the many books available that discuss the psychology of wealth and investing. The way it is written clearly discusses, using examples and case studies, what you need to do to be successful at whatever it is you want to achieve in life. This is especially true, as the name suggests, of efforts to increase wealth.

I first heard of this book many years ago, but soon forgot about it and only bought a copy when I found it in a secondhand bookstore. The book itself is written with clarity and enthusiasm, carefully guiding the reader through the minefield of negativity that so often surrounds the areas of wealth and psychology. It is written in a clear conversational format that is easy to read, and the modern reader will recognize a number of words, examples, and phraseology that is out of date.

Despite this, there are plenty of examples that are instantly recognizable, either by the names of people or companies mentioned, or by the ability to clearly relate to the examples provided. Examples include great success stories and spectacular failures, and sometimes a combination of the two. The wide variety of people and practices discussed is inspiring, and Napoleon Hill displays a broad knowledge base on the topics covered.

The lessons I learned from the book involve a newfound positivity in all aspects of my life, a tenacity that borders on stubbornness, and a winning attitude. I learned steps on how to address problems and identify opportunities. The secret to this book is to read it quickly once, then slowly again, and again, so you can get as much information out of it as possible. There are workbooks available for working through the book, which will help you, but I found that taking notes as I went along was best for me to emphasize points, concepts, and techniques.

For the secrets behind the book, you’d better read it. It hit me halfway through the second read, I don’t know if it’s because I’m slow or because I enjoyed reading the book so much that I was devouring the content without thinking about the message as a whole. The inspirational nature of the book makes it one of my favorites, and it definitely made an impact on me and the way I live my life.