This book needs no introduction. Why? Because it is the “Grandmother” of all the self-help books published since the 1940s. Napoleon Hill wrote this masterpiece during the tail end of the Great Depression. The essential teaching of the author can be summarized in just one sentence – wealth generation is simply a byproduct of a specific mindset and a well-thought out plan of action. I think every author who has written any sort of motivational literature after Hill must have read his book. This fact cannot be denied. 

COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Hill claims that he spent over 20 years of his life documenting the fortune making tactics employed by the most successful men of his time. According to him, he did so at the request of Andrew Carnegie. Some of the notable individuals whose life Hill analyzed included Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Woodrow Wilson, George Eastman, John D Rockefeller, and Theodore Roosevelt.

The “philosophy of achievement” described in this book is elaborated in 13 chapters. Here’s the list of principles of success that Hill discovered during the course of his research:

1. Desire: The starting point of all achievement.
2. Faith: Visualization of, and belief in, attainment of desire.
3. Auto-suggestion: Influencing the subconscious mind.
4. Specialized Knowledge: Personal experience or observations.
5. Imagination: The workshop of the mind.
6. Organized Planning: The crystallization of desire into action.
7. Decision: The mastery of procrastination.
8. Persistence: The sustained effort necessary to induce faith.
9. Power of the Master Mind: The driving force.
10. The Mystery of Sex Transmutation: Redirecting energy into creative channels.
11. The Subconscious Mind: The connecting link.
12. The Brain: A broadcasting and receiving station for thought.
13. The Sixth Sense: The door to the temple of wisdom.

While reading these chapters, I was making detailed notes in my diary. Using the same notes, I can easily encapsulate the foundational strategies that the author wanted to emphasize the most. Here are those points: 

• Self-Belief and Persistence: Hill advises readers to maintain unshakeable confidence and desire to attain one’s goals. He also argues for developing a high level of persistence to overcome obstacles. 
• The “Master Mind” Concept: One of the key takeaways from this book is that you need to surround yourself with motivated individuals, mentors, and partners. This is because collaboration multiplies your chances of success in any endeavor. 
• Quick Decision Making & Self-Analysis: Hill strongly emphasizes the importance of reaching decisions faster as it helps in utilization of all the available opportunities. He also mentions that you must analyze your beliefs and actions from time to time.
• Elimination of Basic Fears & Superstitions: According to the author, you need to weed out basic fears (old age, loss of love, criticism, etc.) and superstitious beliefs from your mind. If you don’t do that, you are likely to not acquire the desired level of success.

You will also discover various interesting real-life stories that illustrate several success principles. I found it very fascinating to read about the establishment of “United States Steel Corporation” through “Faith” and how Edwin C Barnes “thought’ his way to a great partnership with Thomas Edison. 

Final Verdict

This work remains popular among millions even today. However, it has also attracted some unfavourable comments. Many critics have labelled the principles described by Hill as impractical and unscientific. I don’t agree with the critics. In my opinion, you should approach this book as a motivational philosophy and adapt these success principles according to your real-life situation.

So, you gotta read this text and start your journey to achieve your goals.

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