Book Reviews Online

Author: Napoleon Hill

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars)

Few books have had as lasting an impact on personal development and financial mindset as Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Originally published in 1937, this classic has sold over 100 million copies worldwide and remains a cornerstone in the libraries of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone seeking to achieve greater wealth and success. In this review, we’ll examine what makes Hill’s philosophy so enduring, the key ideas from the book, and how they can still apply in the modern world.

Overview of Think and Grow Rich

Think and Grow Rich isn’t just about making money—it’s about harnessing the power of thought, belief, and persistence to achieve your goals in any area of life. Napoleon Hill, commissioned by industrialist Andrew Carnegie, spent over 20 years interviewing 500 successful people including Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Alexander Graham Bell.

The result was a 13-step philosophy of success, based on mindset, discipline, and a burning desire to win. Hill emphasizes that success begins in the mind—what you think, you become. Through clarity of purpose, focused thought, and unwavering belief, he argues, anyone can transform their circumstances.

Key Takeaways and Lessons

1. Desire Is the Starting Point of All Achievement

Hill asserts that every great success begins with a burning desire—not just a wish or hope. You must want your goal so badly that it becomes an obsession. This desire becomes the fuel for persistence and action.

2. Faith and Belief Are Critical

Visualization and belief in oneself are not just helpful—they are necessary. Hill advocates using autosuggestion (self-talk and affirmation) to reprogram the subconscious mind and strengthen belief in one’s goal.

3. Specialized Knowledge Trumps General Education

Hill notes that wealth comes not from formal schooling alone, but from acquiring and using specific knowledge relevant to your purpose. Applied knowledge, he argues, is the foundation of riches.

4. Persistence Beats Talent

Those who achieve great things do not necessarily have superior intelligence or talent—they simply refuse to give up. Hill warns that most people quit at the first sign of defeat, but persistent people push forward until they succeed.

5. The Power of the Mastermind Group

Surrounding yourself with like-minded, motivated individuals is essential. Hill believed that collaboration with others on the same mission can multiply your intelligence, discipline, and opportunity.

6. Defeat Is Not Failure—It’s Feedback

Every failure, Hill says, contains the seed of an equivalent benefit. Rather than discouraging you, setbacks should sharpen your skills, test your desire, and reveal new strategies.

Writing Style and Format

Napoleon Hill’s writing is formal, motivational, and philosophical. While it reflects the language and tone of the 1930s, it remains surprisingly accessible. Some readers may find the style dated, but the core ideas are timeless.

The book is structured around 13 principles, each forming its own chapter. These include Desire, Faith, Autosuggestion, Specialized Knowledge, Imagination, Organized Planning, Decision, Persistence, Power of the Master Mind, and more.

Hill reinforces each concept with anecdotes, case studies, and timeless quotes that continue to resonate with readers today.

Who Should Read Think and Grow Rich?

This book is perfect for:

Entrepreneurs and small business owners Aspiring leaders and career-focused professionals Fans of self-improvement and motivational literature Readers of Rich Dad Poor Dad, The Success Principles, or The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Anyone seeking to shift their mindset around money, confidence, and personal growth

If you’re looking for a mental blueprint for success—one that requires inner transformation before external results—Think and Grow Rich is a must-read.

Critiques and Considerations

While Think and Grow Rich is widely respected, it’s not without critique. Some concepts—like the emphasis on “vibrations” and subconscious energy—may feel abstract or pseudoscientific to modern readers.

Others argue that the book downplays the role of systemic barriers or external circumstances in success, putting full responsibility on the individual. Additionally, its examples are almost exclusively male and from a specific historical period.

Still, the essence of the book—developing a clear goal, believing in it deeply, and working relentlessly toward it—remains universally applicable.

Cultural Legacy and Enduring Influence

Think and Grow Rich has influenced generations of thought leaders, including Tony Robbins, Bob Proctor, and Jim Rohn. Its impact can be seen in modern entrepreneurial education, motivational speaking, and even law of attraction communities.

Its core message—that success is a mindset—continues to shape personal development literature nearly a century after it was first published.

Final Thoughts: Is Think and Grow Rich Worth Reading?

Yes. Despite its age, Think and Grow Rich offers a powerful, foundational mindset for anyone seeking success. Its influence is hard to overstate, and its practical principles still resonate with readers who are willing to apply them with intensity and discipline.

This isn’t a book about luck or shortcuts—it’s about internal transformation, clarity of purpose, and the deep work of becoming who you need to be in order to achieve what you want.

Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Classic, empowering, and surprisingly practical—Think and Grow Rich remains one of the most important personal development books ever written.