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Who was Napoleon Hill and why should you read his books?

  • Writer: Lasse J
    Lasse J
  • Aug 31, 2023
  • 6 min read

Updated: Sep 2, 2023


Napoleon Hill was an American author who wrote some of the most influential books on

personal success and achievement. His best-known work, Think and Grow Rich, has sold over 100 million copies worldwide and is considered one of the classics of the self-help genre

But who was Napoleon Hill and what made him such an authority on success? How did he come up with his famous principles of personal achievement? And what can you learn from his books to improve your own life and career?




Napoleon Hill’s life story: from poverty to prosperity

Napoleon Hill was born in 1883 in a poor rural area of Virginia. His father was a dentist and a moonshiner, and his mother died when he was nine years old. He had a difficult childhood, marked by poverty, violence, and lack of education.

However, Hill had a curious and ambitious mind, and he started working as a reporter for a local newspaper when he was 13 years old. He also developed an interest in law and philosophy, and enrolled in law school, but had to drop out due to financial problems.

Hill’s life changed when he met Andrew Carnegie, one of the richest men in the world at the time, who was impressed by Hill’s interviewing skills and offered him a challenge: to interview 500 successful people and discover the secrets of their success. Carnegie also promised to introduce Hill to some of the most influential figures of his era, such as Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Theodore Roosevelt, and John D. Rockefeller.

Hill accepted the challenge and spent 20 years interviewing and studying hundreds of successful people from various fields and backgrounds. He also experimented with different business ventures, some of which failed miserably and others that brought him wealth and fame. He married three times and had five children. He also faced many hardships, such as lawsuits, divorces, debts, health issues, and accusations of fraud.

Hill eventually compiled his findings into a book called The Law of Success, which was published in 1928 and became an instant bestseller. The book outlined 16 principles of personal achievement that Hill claimed were the common denominators of all successful people. Some of these principles were:

  • Definite purpose: having a clear vision of what you want to achieve and why.

  • Self-confidence: believing in yourself and your abilities.

  • Initiative: taking action and being proactive.

  • Imagination: using your creative power to generate ideas and solutions.

  • Persistence: overcoming obstacles and never giving up.

  • Mastermind: forming alliances with other like-minded people who can support you and share their knowledge.

  • Positive mental attitude: maintaining a optimistic outlook and avoiding negative emotions.

  • Enthusiasm: having passion and excitement for what you do.

  • Habit: developing good habits that lead to success.

Hill followed up his book with another masterpiece, Think and Grow Rich, which was published in 1937 and focused on the principle of desire as the key to success. The book also introduced the concept of the subconscious mind as a powerful tool that can help you achieve your goals if you program it with positive thoughts and affirmations.

Think and Grow Rich became one of the most popular books of all time, inspiring millions of people around the world to pursue their dreams and improve their lives. The book has been translated into dozens of languages and has been adapted into various formats, such as audio books, films, courses, seminars, and podcasts.

Hill continued to write and teach until his death in 1970 at the age of 87. He left behind a legacy of wisdom and inspiration that still resonates today.








Napoleon Hill’s books: timeless lessons for modern success

Napoleon Hill’s books are not only historical documents that reflect the social and economic conditions of his time, but also timeless sources of wisdom that can help anyone achieve success in any field or endeavor.

His books are based on universal principles that are applicable to any situation or challenge. They are also practical guides that provide concrete steps and strategies that anyone can follow to turn their dreams into reality.

Some of the benefits that you can get from reading Napoleon Hill’s books are:

  • You will learn how to set clear and specific goals that align with your purpose and passion.

  • You will develop a positive mindset that will help you overcome fear, doubt, procrastination, and negativity.

  • You will discover how to use your imagination to create new opportunities and solutions for your problems.

  • You will learn how to tap into your subconscious mind to attract the resources and circumstances that you need for your success.

  • You will learn how to form effective partnerships with other people who can help you achieve your goals faster and easier.

  • You will learn how to cultivate habits that will make you more productive, efficient, and successful.

  • You will learn how to deal with failure and adversity and use them as stepping stones for your growth and improvement.

  • You will learn how to achieve balance and harmony in your life and enjoy the fruits of your success.






How to read Napoleon Hill’s books: tips and recommendations

Napoleon Hill’s books are not meant to be read once and forgotten. They are meant to be studied, applied, and revisited regularly. Here are some tips and recommendations on how to read Napoleon Hill’s books effectively:

  • Start with Think and Grow Rich, which is the most concise and accessible of his books. It will give you an overview of his philosophy and methods, and motivate you to take action.

  • Read one chapter at a time, and reflect on the main ideas and questions that Hill poses. Write down your answers and insights in a notebook or journal.

  • Apply the principles and exercises that Hill suggests in each chapter to your own life and goals. Experiment with different techniques and see what works for you.

  • Review your progress and results regularly, and celebrate your achievements. Also, identify the areas that need improvement and make adjustments accordingly.

  • Join or create a mastermind group with other people who are also reading Napoleon Hill’s books. Share your experiences, challenges, and successes, and support each other in your journey.

  • Read his other books, such as The Law of Success, Outwitting the Devil, The Master-Key to Riches, Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude, etc. They will provide you with more depth, detail, and examples of his teachings.

  • Re-read his books periodically, as you will always find new insights and inspiration that will help you grow and succeed.



https://amzn.to/3OQSUw4 Link to Think and Grow Rich on Amazon



Think and Grow Rich: A Classic Book on Success and Wealth

Think and Grow Rich is a book written by Napoleon Hill and Rosa Lee Beeland, published in 1937. It is one of the most influential books on personal development and self-improvement, and has sold over 100 million copies worldwide.

The book is based on Hill’s research of more than 500 successful people, whom he interviewed and studied for over 20 years. He claimed to be inspired by a suggestion from Andrew Carnegie, a business magnate and philanthropist, who introduced him to some of the most prominent figures of his time, such as Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Theodore Roosevelt, and John D. Rockefeller.

Hill distilled his findings into 13 principles of personal achievement, which he called the “Philosophy of Achievement”. These principles are:

  • Desire: Having a strong and definite purpose in life.

  • Faith: Believing in oneself and one’s ability to achieve one’s goal.

  • Auto-suggestion: Using positive affirmations to program the subconscious mind.

  • Specialized knowledge: Acquiring and applying the knowledge that is relevant to one’s goal.

  • Imagination: Using the creative faculty of the mind to generate ideas and solutions.

  • Organized planning: Developing a practical and effective plan of action.

  • Decision: Making prompt and firm decisions and sticking to them.

  • Persistence: Overcoming obstacles and difficulties with determination and perseverance.

  • Power of the master mind: Forming alliances with other like-minded people who can support and cooperate with one another.

  • The mystery of sex transmutation: Channeling the energy of sex into other productive activities.

  • The subconscious mind: Utilizing the power of the subconscious mind to attract the resources and circumstances that one needs for success.

  • The brain: Stimulating the brain with positive emotions and thoughts to increase its capacity and efficiency.

  • The sixth sense: Developing intuition and hunches that can guide one to the right decisions.

Hill also provides many examples, stories, exercises, and techniques to illustrate and apply these principles in various situations. He emphasizes that anyone can achieve success and wealth by following these principles, regardless of their background, education, or circumstances.

Think and Grow Rich is not only a book about money, but also about happiness, fulfillment, and personal growth. It teaches how to develop a positive mindset, a clear vision, a creative imagination, a persistent attitude, a supportive network, and a balanced lifestyle that will enable one to achieve one’s goals and enjoy one’s success.

Think and Grow Rich is a timeless classic that has inspired millions of people around the world to pursue their dreams and improve their lives. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to achieve success and wealth in any field or endeavor.


Conclusion: Napoleon Hill’s books are a must-read for anyone who wants to achieve success

Napoleon Hill was one of the pioneers of the self-help genre, and his books have influenced generations of successful people from all walks of life. His books are not only informative and inspiring, but also practical and actionable.

If you want to achieve success in any field or endeavor, you should definitely read Napoleon Hill’s books. They will teach you the principles and strategies that have proven to work for millions of people around the world.

You will also learn how to develop a positive mindset, a strong desire, a clear vision, a creative imagination, a persistent attitude, a supportive network, and a balanced lifestyle that will enable you to achieve your goals and enjoy your success.

So what are you waiting for? Pick up one of Napoleon Hill’s books today and start your journey to success!

 
 
 

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