Episode · Behind the Bastards · 2019-08-08
Books mentioned on Part Two: Napoleon Hill: The Grifter Who Invented 'The Secret' & Donald Trump
In Part Two, Robert is joined again by Sara June to continue discussing Napoleon Hill. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.
Robert Evans discussed The Law of Success by Napoleon Hill, A Lifetime of Riches, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, Mental Dynamite by Napoleon Hill, The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale, and The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, and criticized The Magic Ladder to Success by Napoleon Hill.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The Law of Success
The Law of Success by Napoleon Hill is a multi-volume self-help course that laid the conceptual groundwork for the author's later bestselling philosophies on wealth and achievement.
Discussed“This is this is the laws of su law of success. So, we're not at think and grow rich yet. This is his first book, right?”
Where to get it
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A Lifetime of Riches
Discussed“So, I'm going to quote again from his biography, A Lifetime of Riches. He made a grand entrance, striding with starched purposefulness to the registration desk.”
Where to get it
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The Magic Ladder to Success
Critiqued“Napoleon remains in New York City so he can write his second book, which he calls the magic ladder to success. But this wound up being so badly written that his publisher was unwilling to bother printing it.”
Where to get it
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Think and Grow Rich
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill is a classic self-help guide focused on mindset, motivation, and the psychological principles behind personal achievement rather than traditional financial literacy.
Discussed“So, immediately after their wedding, they sit down to write a new book, Think and Grow Rich. The couple moves in with Napoleon's son Blair and his wife in a tin in their tiny New York apartment”
Where to get it
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Mental Dynamite
Discussed“So Oliver Napoleon Hill never again repeated the staggering success of Think and Grow Rich. He continued to write and lecture for the rest of his life, but most of that life was spent near the edge of financial collapse. His next book, Mental Dynamite, published in 1941, was a flop.”
Where to get it
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The Power of Positive Thinking
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale is a classic mid-century self-help manual advocating for optimistic faith, mental resilience, and the practical application of religious belief to overcome personal obstacles.
Discussed“Now Napoleon him Hill himself would know no more great success in his life but in 1952 a book he inspired and helped to craft did become a big success. The power of positive thinking by Norman Vincent Peele.”
Where to get it
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The Secret
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne is a bestselling self-help book and film centered on the law of attraction, asserting that positive thinking and intentional visualization can directly manifest wealth, health, and happiness.
Discussed“The Secret, which would sell 15 million copies, is basically a 21st century rewriting of Napoleon's masterpiece of positive thinking.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (4) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“those were very good ideas, but still not close to think and grow rich. And think this close to the success quest. Yeah. Yeah. This is this is the laws of su law of success.”
“Um, but I'm not aware of him ever actually meeting baby Jean or even having much to do with the involvement with him. But like, yeah, he was not really I don't think he was a big part of this. They did pose the baby with a picture of his book.”
“So, other politicians who are more directly influenced by Napoleon Hill include N. Gingrich, who read Think and Grow Rich as a young man, and Mitt Romney, who was born rich and probably didn't need to do much thinking to stay that way.”
“This is the author of Think and Grow Rich folks, one of the most recommended business groups of all time. H wow. So that's fun.”