The Science of Success

June 30, 2014
In his other works, Hill (1883–1970), the iconic author of Think and Grow Rich, urges readers to adopt a mind-set based on faith and hard work that will lead to success and wealth. While his books feel timeless, these essays compiled by Judith Williamson, mostly from the 1950s and ’60s, feel dated in both language and references. Williamson provides some details about Dr. Hill’s life, and background about his time as a protégé of Andrew Carnegie, and a former advisor to presidents. The selections here cover such classic Hill topics, such as conduct, ways to inspire oneself and others, the importance of working hard, the importance of competition, overcoming fear, taking personal initiative, and maintaining a positive attitude—tips and meditations that are useful in business and personal settings. This is an ancillary read for Hill devotees looking to round out their libraries, rather than a draw for new readers; luckily, his army of fans is considerable. Agent: Bill Gladstone, Waterside Productions.

July 1, 2014
Generations ago, 60 million people worldwide read Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich. Now it's time to introduce Hill's precepts to new generations, all based on some pretty common-sense principles. Though this book is not a repeat of his well-known tome, it does reinforce his 10 rules of success, ranging from going the extra mile to profiting by adversity, mirrored in uncollected works and in the columns he wrote for the Miami Daily News and the Naperville Sun. As advisor to such luminaries as FDR and W. Clement Stone, Hill himself started from nothing, born the son of an impoverished Virginia mountaineer. Guts and grits and ambition did the rest; the story about his three-day-plus interview with Andrew Carnegie netted him the assignment of codifying success through conversations with such people as Henry Ford, Woodrow Wilson, and Theodore Roosevelt. A few of his rules might get snickers from millennials, e.g., For those who can possibly afford it, I earnestly suggest one complete Sunday best' outfit of an exceptionally well-tailored suit or smartly designed dress for first impression' use. Others will ring oh-so-true, e.g., You can further your own career by helping others achieve their goals. Black-and-white photographs of Hill make his ideas realas does his saying, What the mind can conceive and believethe mind can achieve.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)