The Science of Getting Rich

Author: Wallace Delois Wattles, Judith Powell
List Price: $12.95
Our Price: Click to see the latest and low price
ISBN: 1560871385
Publisher: Delta Group (January, 2002)
Sales Rank: 43,725
Average Customer Rating: 3.86 out of 5

Customer Reviews

Rating: 5 out of 5
"Powerful and engrossing book!"
I just finished reading this book for the second time. The first time I read it, it was a first edition, written in about 1915, by Wallace Delois Wattles. A couple of weeks ago I found this newer version in a used book store for about fifty cents. I read it in a couple of hours--couldn't put it down. The sad part of this story is that the book was probably never opened, let alone read. it is extremely disheartening to see such great manuscripts tossed aside, unused. As for Judith Powell 'co-authoring' this great book...Not. However, she may have been related to the author, or gained publishing rights (lucky dog). Regardless, it is wonderful to see such a book available. Thanks


Rating: 5 out of 5
Clearly one of the best ever
If someday somebody creates a "Hall of Fame" for self-help success books, this one will definitely be in there. I've read this book at least a half dozen times since I bought it a year ago. What makes it so appealing is that it's short, to the point, and very readable.

You can probably read this book in a good two hours. It takes me longer because I stop periodically to absorb the message. The tone of the book reminds me of "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill.

This book was originally written almost a hundred years ago. It is focused on the acquisition of money, period. It's not about raising your self esteem, setting goals and leading a happy life. It's just plain money making. I like a bold author who cuts to the chase. I particularly like his assertion that we have "a right to be rich." No, it's not about greed and selfishness. It's not about trampling over other people.

The only downside to this book is that it won't appeal to some people because it comes across as "psycho babble" in many ways. There really aren't any particular exercises in this book "how to" get rich in the sense of what to do for a living or what investments to make. The reader just has to take everything on faith that he/she will magically, through thought and acceptance, get rich. Okay, maybe a lot of people find that hard to believe, but he doesn't advocate sitting in a corner meditating all day either. I would summarize his prescription for getting rich as going about your daily business, but organize your life in such a way that money can flow into it. I have friends who insist that no matter what they do, they just can't get ahead. They know all the reasons why things won't work. Can't find a good job. Employers don't pay enough. It's the economy. It's my upbringing. Blah, blah, blah. Life really is a self-fulfilling prophecy. I have had some people object to this book because all it talks about is money and really nothing else. If money isn't important, why do we work so hard and look forward to promotions and raises? There is a sense of denial and shame that go with money, and I'm really glad I read this book to remind me that not only is getting rich a right, it is natural and it doesn't have to harm anyone or anything.

My favorite chapter in this little book was the one about gratitude. The author advocates being grateful before having the money. He claims that abundance is natural and invevitable if we accept it, so we should be grateful for it ahead of time instead of afterwards. Maybe that's why there are so few rich people. We're all saying "show me the money" without accepting that it will happen and naturally happens. Once we receive the money, then we will be grateful. Ever notice how few people in the world are really grateful? I suspect it's because we were taught to think backwards. I find the biggest impediment to our supply of money seems to be in the mind. It's hard to get rich when everyone around you is complaining about how unfair life is.

I'm giving this book 5 stars because I find it to be very readable and very true. I warn the reader that much of the book requires a ton of faith. It may take a while for the ideas to sink in, especially if you're used to working hard for money. It's worth reading several times but spaced apart. I find myself even now reading it every so often to refresh my mind.


Rating: 1 out of 5
Nothing worth reading
This book has to be one of the worst books I have read. It took me 2 months to finish. After just a few pages I had to put it down. That's how bad it is.

Similar Products

The Science of Getting Rich or Financial Success Through Creative Thought
The Science of Becoming Excellent
Financial Success: Harnessing the Power of Creative Thought


Book Index