Guru Ratings
Napoleon Hill
Bad.
Remember my ratings criteria. I’m not judging these gurus on “global” or moral values, but very specific criteria. Many of my favorite books would be rated “bad” by my criteria for self-help (probably, because they are not self-help books). My ratings don’t reflect how well an author met his own goals, but how well they met my criteria for useful, accurate self-help.
Think and Grow Rich (1937)
Think and Grow Rich laid the template for most success books to follow:
- motivational hype
- false claims of “scientific” methods and “proven” principles
- supposed “secrets” to success
- “If you think it, you can achieve it!”
- “A winner never quits.” (Actually, there are lots of times when it’s wise to quit.)
Avoid this and all its progeny.