Personal development is a multi-billion dollar industry. That industry publishes literally thousands of books every year on the topic of success and how to achieve it. From the practical to the new age, there is a different flavor of book for every taste.
So, which books should you read?
Which books will actually help you on your quest?
You’re busy, so this is a vital question.
This is the list of the ten books you need to read in order to fully understand the philosophy of success. From positive thinking and the law of attraction to goals and enlightenment, these books hit all the topics.
Get them.
Read them.
Study them.
When you’ve digested the contents of these books, you will be more than ready to embark on your success journey.
10. The Magic of Believing – Claude M. Bristol
This book is not just a classic; it is the classic. It has been endorsed by everyone who has read it, from Norman Vincent Peale to Phyllis Diller to Liberace. Mr. Bristol explains in great detail how to tap into the powers of your subconscious mind with great techniques for auto-suggestion and how to actually think about the problems that you may face. It is absolutely wonderful.
9. The No-Nonsense Guide to Enlightenment – Blair Warren
Blair Warren is one of the smartest people I know and this book (e-book, actually) showcases that. His premise? All of us have actually experienced enlightenment at one time or another — and probably even multiple times. Every time I read this book I get something new from it. The No Nonsense Guide to Enlightenment is only available as part of Charles F. Haanel’s Complete Master Key Course.
8. Psycho-Cybernetics – Maxwell Maltz
Do you want to know how your brain works? Do you want to improve your golf swing without physically practicing? Do you want to be like a guided missile when it comes to achieving your goals? Then this is the book for you. This is one of the most powerful books you will ever read.
7. Think & Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
What list of books about the philosophy of success would be complete without this book? It’s a classic that deserves repeated readings. I can’t write much that isn’t already written about this book. If you already have it on your shelf, get it and read it again. If you don’t have it, then get it and read it. The proof is in the pudding with Think & Grow Rich: many, many successful people cite this book as a major influence on their success. It is one of the bonus books included in Charles F. Haanel’s Complete Master Key Course.
6. The Power of Positive Thinking – Norman Vincent Peale
I will read anything by Norman Vincent Peale. This is his most famous work. It’s a classic. It’s inspirational and methodical. This is one of my favorite books.
5. How to Get Rich – Felix Dennis
This is not new age fluff. Not at all. This book is not like any book on this list. Mr. Dennis, the multi-millionaire publisher and founder of Maxim Magazine among others, actually calls his little tome an “anti-self-help book.” So, what will you garner from this book? You’ll get Mr. Dennis’ perspective on what it takes to really become rich. And not just six-figures-a-year rich, but multi-millionaire-never-have-to-worry-about-money-ever-again rich. Do you think that you have what it takes to get that far? Read this book and find out. Trust me: it will open your eyes.
4. You Were Born Rich – Bob Proctor
You Were Born Rich is one of the best personal development books ever written. Not only do I have the book, but I also have the unabridged audio version, which I have played countless times.
3. The Master Key Workbook – Anthony R. Michalski
Yes, I wrote this book. Yes, I really do think that it is that good. And, no, I am not tooting my own horn. As I researched the success philosophy and as I talked with countless people, I discovered one of the main reasons people do not achieve a notable level of success. It is not because they don’t try hard enough; it’s not because they don’t understand the philosophy of success; it’s often not even because they’re not talented or skilled in some way. The main reason many people do not succeed is … That’s where The Master Key Workbook comes into play. It is chock full of concepts, mental exercises, and written exercises that will help you hone what your idea of success is. You will love this book.
2. The Master Key System – Charles F. Haanel
The Master Key System is “the only clear, concise, comprehensive, definitive, distinctive, and scientific presentation of the creative power of thought ever formulated.” As you read though the 24 weeks of the book and as you practice the exercises, you will be training your brain to focus and to visualize. You will learn how to look at a problem or situation or opportunity and to solve it or see it for what it really is or take advantage of it. This is truly one of the best books ever written.
1. Prometheus Rising – Robert Anton Wilson
If you read only one book on this list, then make it this one. I read it at least once per year — and every time that I do I get something new out of it. In Prometheus Rising, Mr. Wilson takes the reader on a journey through the eight “circuits” of consciousness as delineated by Timothy Leary. What will you learn? A lot. Too much to get into here. I can only say that I have found this book to be one of the most important books that I’ve ever read. I am highly confident that you will agree with me once you’ve read it.
And there you have it.
The ten books you need to read to succeed.
With these ten books, you will learn everything you need to know about the philosophy of success.
You will learn that you can do just about anything to which you set your mind.
Speaking of your mind, you will learn how to properly use it.
Read these books and succeed.
Or, as Charles F. Haanel would say …
You must first have the knowledge of your power; second, the courage to dare; third, the faith to do.
These ten book will give you that knowledge of your power.
By honing your skills, you will develop the courage to dare.
After that, it’s all up to you.
And I have faith that you can do it!
—
Wait! You want more books? Of course you do because more books makes you more awesome!
This is a great list, Tony! I meant to comment on this earlier. Although I do not have Bristol’s “The Magic of Believing” I am 1/2-way through my 2nd reading of his other book, “TNT – the Power Within You,” which, as I understand it is a different take on “Believing.”
I also have Haanel’s “Master Key System,” which I got from you, and Hill’s “Think and Grow Rich.” I’ll have to look more closely at some of the others you recommend.
I get a lot of my writing ideas from these materials, as well. Good stuff! Thanks for sharing your list.
Hi Tony I would like to know what you think about Thomas Troward. As I have just discovered Charles F Haanel today. Which seems to be the last stop on a journey from You Were Born Rich – Bob Proctor
Hi, Andrew!
Thomas Troward … He was a good writer in the New Thought movement. There is no doubt about that. Haanel culled quite a few ideas and quotes from him. So, he was – and in a small way still is – quite influential.
Reading him now, though, is tough. His writing style has become VERY dated and he really doesn’t state much more than what Haanel – and others – state. His writings are also steeped VERY heavily in the Christian Science.
I included a selection of his in my MASTER KEY ARCANA (http://www.masterkeyarcana.com) and his writings are available online.
While I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend reading Troward to anyone, I certainly wouldn’t dissuade anyone either. Troward was a writer who had some good things to say. If you read what he has written and get one nugget from it, then it would be worth it.
I hope this helps. Please let me know if I can be of service to you. All the BEST!
Have fun … Tony.
Hi, Tony: I don’t make any bones about how I feel about self-help in general, but I’m not a believer in throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
Thanks for this list — and this article. I do think you may have left out a third possibility that can occur when someone reads too many “soft-core” self-help books: burnout/cynicism. I’d be willing to bet that overexposure to this sort of material even leads some folks to become snarky bloggers. 😉
Of the books on your list, I’ve read nearly half, and I’m willing to give the others a whirl too. (Yes, even “Scientist Bob’s” classic work. :-))
Anyway… thanks again, Tony. I think I’ll even “Tweet” about this article.
Hi, Connie!
Thank you for your comment.
While I am certain that burn out happens with some people, it’s not something of which I see a lot. If anything, some people get burned out on themselves rather than the material. In other words, they end up blaming themselves for not achieving.
Of the books on that list and knowing you a little bit, I highly recommend that you give PROMETHEUS RISING a read. It’s not exactly a self-help book. I think you’d really enjoy it.
All the BEST!
Have fun … Tony.
PS – For anyone reading these comments, click on Connie’s link and visit her blog. She’s an excellent writer and has much to say about the self-help industry. She’ll open your eyes a little bit. 🙂