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The Science of Getting Rich

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As featured in the bestselling book The Secret, here is the landmark guide to wealth creation republished with the classic essay “How to Get What You Want.” Wallace D. Wattles spent a lifetime considering the laws of success as he found them in the work of the world’s great philosophers. He then turned his life effort into this simple, slender book – a volume that he vowed could replace libraries of philosophy, spirituality, and self-help for the purpose of attaining one definite goal: a life of prosperity. Wattles describes a definite science of wealth attraction, built on the foundation of one commanding idea: “There is a thinking stuff from which all things are made…A thought, in this substance, produces the thing that is imaged by the thought.” In his seventeen short, straight-to-the-point chapters, Wattles shows how to use this idea, how to overcome barriers to its application, and how work with very direct methods that awaken it in your life. He further explains how creation and not competition is the hidden key to wealth attraction, and how your power to get rich uplifts everyone around you. The Science of Getting Rich concludes with Wattle’s rare essay “How to Get Want You Want” – a brilliant refresher of his laws of wealth creation.

146 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1910

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About the author

Wallace D. Wattles

734 books440 followers
Wallace Delois Wattles was an American author. A New Thought writer, he remains personally somewhat obscure, but his writing has been widely quoted and remains in print in the New Thought and self-help movements. Wattles' best known work is a 1910 book called The Science of Getting Rich in which he explained how to become wealthy.

He studied the writings of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and Ralph Waldo Emerson and recommended the study of their books to his readers who wished to understand what he characterized as "the monistic theory of the cosmos".

Through his personal study and experimentation Wattles claimed to have discovered the truth of New Thought principles and put them into practice in his own life. He wrote books outlining these principles and practices, giving them titles that described their content, such as Health Through New Thought and Fasting and The Science of Being Great. His daughter Florence recalled that "he lived every page" of his books.

A practical author, Wattles encouraged his readers to test his theories on themselves rather than take his word as an authority, and he claimed to have tested his methods on himself and others before publishing them.

Wattles practiced the technique of creative visualization. In his daughter Florence's words, he "formed a mental picture" or visual image, and then "worked toward the realization of this vision".

Rhonda Byrne told a Newsweek interviewer that her inspiration for creating the 2006 hit film The Secret and the subsequent book by the same name, was her exposure to Wattles's The Science of Getting Rich. Byrne's daughter, Hayley, had given her mother a copy of the Wattles book to help her recover from her breakdown.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,581 reviews
Profile Image for Tamara.
3 reviews15 followers
February 1, 2008
I downloaded this book for free online in February of 2007 and bought the paperback Barnes & Noble reprint in September of 2007.

This book has changed my life. It has inspired ideas and plans in me that I never thought existed. It changed the way I saw the world, and actually worked to draw me nearer to my dreams as a result of the way the world works. I recommend everyone who is inspired to do more in their lives to read this, as it is a life changing book.
Profile Image for Jonathan.
Author 28 books20 followers
January 21, 2009
There were some good principles discussed in this book, the most important of which is that each of us has a moral obligation to strive to fulfill our own potential. However, I don't agree with the primary premise of the book, that getting rich is synonymous with fulfilling our potential. Unfortunately, for ever good principle or truth discussed in the book, it seemed like there were ten times as many falsehoods and fallacies. And in the end, the book didn't live up to its title. It provided no real process for getting rich, did not discuss many core principles of creating wealth, and certainly didn't have a shred of scientific basis for anything it said. Honestly, I would have to describe the book as morally repugnant... maybe that is a little harsh!
Profile Image for Julie Glynn.
118 reviews13 followers
April 10, 2012
Although there were many very good insights and some great advise, this book fails due to 2 major issues. First, it takes a "brainwashing" approach, advising readers NOT to read or explore anything that may possibly contradict the book's message. If this is "science" as it claims to be, then it should hold up against anything. Truth is truth. I disagree with anything that advises not to test and explore. And secondly, the idea that the rich can help the poor by being an inspiration to them for what they can be, advising against giving and benevolence is completely ridiculous.
Profile Image for Andrew.
9 reviews
April 18, 2010
This book didn't actually say anything. Instead it just talked in broad generalities and asked that readers adopt and believe a very strange creed:

"There is a thinking stuff from which all things are made, and which, in its original state, permeates, penetrates, and fills the interspaces of the universe.

A thought in this substance produces the thing that is imagined by the thought.

A person can form things in this thought, and by impressing his thought upon formless substance, can cause the thing he thinks about to be created."
Profile Image for Vijay Dumbali.
6 reviews4 followers
October 25, 2012


Sometimes when you happen to read in just 100 pages all about the subject as important as Getting Rich, you feel like is that all? The simple answer is Yes. The complicated answer is, yes but you need to know that this book does not list cheap little tricks to get rich. This book does not teach you how to corner others wealth by trading well in stock or speculating in commodities. It tells you precisely how to CREAT wealth.

Abundance, there is enough to go around for everyone, is the basis of this book. Once you believe in abundance, creativity will transform the abundance into wealth. Competition will never lead to riches.

Poverty has somehow been praised as simple, pure and natural. Somehow, Money generally relates to being greedy. The cosmos, the nature is Rich and abundant. Every man deserves to be Rich and certainly afford what he thinks he should. The body, mind and soul all need 'things'. The possibility of having these things is easier if we have the 'means' to get them. The Money. The right to be Rich is natural.

There exists a definite way, Science, to get Rich. There are Poor and Rich in the same city, doing same business and most of the time equally talented. There are Rich people who are stupid and also Poor who are intelligent. Similarly there are misers who are poor and lavish spenders who are Rich! So what makes someone Rich or Poor? People who get and remain Rich do things in a "certain way".

Thoughts become things. The unknown formless substance which fills the interspaces of the universe has the potential to make available things abundantly for the one who is creative, and not competitive. We all want things and there is exists this formless substance at the command of our thought. Thus the first step towards becoming rich is to "acquire the ability to think the way you want to think". Easiest way to achieve this ability is to think about the Truth. And the Truth is abundance.

Universe is constantly expanding. Growth is natural. CREAT. Don't compete for that is already created. You shall get what you want in such a way that when you get it, every other person should have more than what he has now. And that's Growth!

Contradiction? If being Rich meant I having more than others, am not going against my wish by making others have more? No, if you give every person you trade with, more in USE VALUE than you take from him In CASH VALUE!

Is that all? NO, this is just the beginning. There a few more steps. The first being "Gratitude". Be Grateful. Being Grateful brings you MORE. A grateful soul stays closer to the Universal Mind - The God - the source of all creativity - and receives unlimited supply of Creativity. The creative thoughts thus work on the formless substance and get you more of what you want.

Being Creative or getting Rich is not about just having a general desire for wealth. Everyone has it. You must form a definite and clear mental picture of what you want. You cannot send a short message with the words not in order, expecting the receiver to organize, read and make sense out of it. The message - the Thought - needs to be very clear to the formless substance to understand and take form. Spend as much of your leisure time you can in contemplating your Picture. Then go work hard on it during your working hours. Thought brings to you what you wanted, you need to still receive it by your Actions. Human race has not yet reached the stage of evolution where a person can convert directly from the formless substance without the Work of human hands or natural processes. Hence it is important that we Work to receive. Do every day all that can be done that day. That's efficiency. Don't hurry. That's competition. There is never any hurry on the creative plane and there is no lack of opportunity - abundance. Do what you can do in a perfect manner, every day. When in doubt, wait, fall back, increase the faith and purpose and then move ahead.

Beware of the easy desire of a half formed mind to dominate! Beware of the Competitive mind!

A wonderful book. Submit yourself to this book with honesty and you cannot help but get Rich.
Profile Image for Bryan Borgers.
145 reviews3 followers
June 15, 2014
I wish I could write some fallacious bullshit and get it published. Wallace Wattles needs to look up the word science for a start. This is as full of magic as "The Secret." So, if you like to pretend the world is full of fairies, this is the nonsense for you.
Profile Image for Elizabeta.
155 reviews50 followers
December 12, 2015
I didn't find anything useful here. A lot of generalities and abstracts.
Profile Image for Aditya Patil.
71 reviews16 followers
November 3, 2014
Every chapter of the book quite contradicts the title. The term 'Science' in the title is misleading.

The book begins with the author asking readers to accept everything that is given without questioning (followed by the warning that not having strong belief in author's strategies, will not yield you any results!) This is the kind of science he is broadcasting to his hapless readers, who are duped in to buying this book based on two fraudulent terms used in the title- 'science' and 'getting Rich'.

He also warns the readers not to explore the subject from other sources. He continues to write that acting in 'Certain Way' will make you rich without explaining what that is. All chapters contain the repeating phrases which in a nutshell ask you to concentrate on things which you want and they will come to you. Nothing else.












Profile Image for Melany.
1,002 reviews130 followers
January 18, 2022
If this doesn't truly inspire you to do more with yourself and in your lifetime, then I don't know what will! So inspirational with in depth truth in different areas to increase your potential and your finances.
Profile Image for Jeffrey.
Author 4 books84 followers
January 14, 2009
We need to overcome our fears of self-doubt reflected in the degree of fear and misunderstanding of wealth. Money is not the problem, for there are many with it who do great things for others. The problem comes in loving it above all else. But what the misinformed don't understand (yes, you who see the rich as evil for obtaining their riches) is that we all desire great riches.

Who doesn't? Who doesn't want absolute freedom to do as one sees fit? and in doing so maximize our potential, skills, desires, even the desire to reach out to aid others with our great riches, ala Bill Gates in his billions to the needy. Don't like the rich and what they're doing with their money? A great giver, you are? Then forget what you cannot control (the evil rich?) and receive your God-given right to wealth and abundance; obtain your own riches and come to the aid of yourself, your family, your country, your world in betterment and FEEL the LOVE! Set your legacy to EARN, pass on not only your riches but a richness of understanding to you and yours and theirs and theirs and theirs. A must read for all humans.

This is the main thrust of the book. It sets you right on the course of how to specifically obtain wealth. There is a little bit of spirituality involved, and if "God" offends, you may want to look elsewhere for inspiration. However, keep in mind that the current wealth gurus (T Harv. Ecker, Mark Victor Hansen, Robert Allen, and others) speak to the issue of mental attitude and clearing oneself of the "negative" and "unbelieving." It's actually the spiritual or, if you will, religious taken to market. I call it the sectarian "law of attraction." In order to get into the proper mindset, according to Wattles, you have to believe what you want is possible, clear your mind of all disbelief and doubt, and work toward helping others with a mind of cooperation (Wattles calls it the "creative") as apposed to the competitive.

What's good about the book is that it's not just all theory. And even though it was written a long time ago (1910), its format is inline with that of current gurus who advocate simplicity, directness, "cumulative points" review at end of each chapter, and exercises or the need for the reader to "do" not merely sit back and read.

Other than the fact that there are a few suggestions that the author makes that I don't agree with, for the majority, the book works on all levels. If you're looking to get rich for all the right reasons, then this is the book for you.
Profile Image for Reagan Ramm.
21 reviews5 followers
February 15, 2017
This is probably the weirdest book I've ever read, which is saying a lot since I went to public school.

Far from being scientific, this book read more like the holy book of a religion devoted to wealth.

While the author quotes the Bible, he makes claims about God that are certainly not Biblical, such as the assertion that God doesn't want you to sacrifice for others, but to acquire wealth.

Getting rich--the author claims--is the greatest human pursuit, and you are nothing without wealth.

So many of the statements the author made were so dogmatic and arrogant that it was quite humorous. Even funnier, was that the author tells the reader not to read any other sources, but to only read his book, and to have faith that what he says will lead to wealth. He even warns the reader not to delve in the occult (not sure why he thinks the reader would) because even though it's likely that people do live on after death, we should not disturb the dead, and it's unlikely that they can help us, or that we should demand such a thing of them. WHAT? Why? How is that relevant? Haha! :P

And yet, sprinkled throughout, were some nuggets of gold, such as the advice to avoid dwelling on darkness. "Righteousness was never obtained by studying sin."

Really though...this book is crazy, and the title is complete bogus.
Profile Image for Darren.
15 reviews13 followers
February 9, 2017
With a title like "The Science of Getting Rich" I thought I would be reading a book presenting proven strategies and techniques to accumulate wealth. In fact, the book is not really a financial book at all, and it certainly has nothing to do with science. This book is essentially a power of positive thinking type of book with no real proven strategies. The words science and proof are used incorrectly in this book.
Profile Image for Fed.
217 reviews7 followers
February 4, 2013
This is an interesting book for Christians. I would not recommend this book for young Christians in the faith, but for those who already have solid biblical principles because the book could be misconstrued if read in search for quick miraculous wealth. The text is to be read in its entirety, just like the truth, it is to be taken in its entirety (otherwise it becomes a lie of omission). The author is trying to make a point that (aside for the few incorrect doctrinal points) in order to enjoy the blessings of a wealthy life one must follow 3 simple principles:

1) Get a vision, and focus on it by eliminating all distractions and negativity which will only fog the vision.

2) Stick with the plan even if the circumstances dictate the opposite

3) Have an attitude of gratitude. Thank God always this vision He gave you will become reality!

His point is that God created us all unique and with equal opportunities to enjoy His blessings - which include wealthiness, but that many think of it the wrong way. If making money is the objective of life that is the wrong objective just as it is wrong to strive to get rich for the wrong reasons. Becoming wealthy is not about overpowering others in thought or in means, but having the attitude that "What I want for myself, I want for everybody".

As for opportunities - chapter 13 - is the best: DO WHAT YOU WERE CREATED TO DO! That is your power; you will never succeed by doing something you don't like or that you were not meant to do. Only do such work (other work) as a mean to get to what you want to do!

Lastly, I liked the fact that this book did not have a list of jobs that you can do, but simply invites the reader to discover itself and their aptitudes and gift in order to create their riches, not to compete with someone else's dream.

Even though this book was written over 100 years ago it is a book with principles that can be applied today because it is not about getting into one facet of the job market that one can use to become wealthy, but about finding out our individual journey first, helping and wanting good things for others and achieving the blessings that come from the discovery of oneself as God made them.
Profile Image for Sue.
261 reviews9 followers
November 10, 2007
In my mind, this is a must read for everyone! I had read Rhonda Byrne's "The Secret" first and heard her mention Wallace Wattles as one of her mentors, so I decided to give it a whirl. Well, it became obvious that Rhonda basically rewrote this book, softened the Christian slant, and called it "The Secret". I loved this book! I'm trying to put his methods into action so if I'm rich soon you'll know whether you want to read this book or not! I should add that it's a very short read. You can complete it in a couple of hours. It's a book that you'll want to read over and over though. Good luck, and if you get rich from it, please send me an email and let me know!
Profile Image for Tony  Bradshaw.
89 reviews9 followers
October 5, 2013
I really liked the book, yet it seemed unscientific just in the sense of being more ethereal than real. My take away comes from one quote: The very best thing you can do for the whole world is to make the most of yourself.

The book outlines 10 truths to the science of getting rich. It's a combination of Daoism, Hinduism, Christianity (intended audience), the secret, the Jack Rabbit Principle and the Abundant Life series all wrapped up in another way of thinking yourself to greatness. I enjoy this one a little more because one of the truths requires action and not just the "If you think it, they will come" (actual quote is "If you BUILD, it they will come."--way more my philosophy, but this isn't about me.)

There are a couple things I will change after reading the book as a result of the book reminding me of other things i"ve learned. I will now say, "I am living an abundant life." Instead of saying, "When I am rich...." which makes most people uncomfortable, implies I am currently not rich (FAR from true!), and puts things way out there instead of here in the moment so I can have a lot of excuses to not get there, I will instead say, "When I am richer...." I think it won't make people uncomfortable that I am so presumptuous in my speaking. It definitely helps me to not think that I am currently not rich because I am, by the standards of 95% of the world, yet it holds me responsible to be doing things in the now (this book talks about that) which are actions which are getting me richer.

Lastly, I already took the time to re-read all my affirmation statements with a lot of creative mental juice focused on what I was saying because I am a creator of wealth not a competitor. I can literally create something out of the materials available around me. If you're not liking this type of talk, don't read this book.
Profile Image for Barry J..
Author 2 books14 followers
April 13, 2011
I have only been shown this book today and am already half way through it. It has astounded me. This book has eloquently summed up many of the ideas that I have been coming closer towards for years.

The first two main points I'd like to note are that 1) acquiring wealth is not bad or sinful, on the contrary, it enables one to fulfill their potential in all areas of life and adds to the greater good for everyone; and 2) acquiring wealth does not mean stealing wealth from others -- there is not a finite amount of resource or money -- it is possible to create wealth without taking it from others.

This book sums it up and more, and I have found that there is a whole community site surrounding it. You can get the ebook version from that site for free, but I recommend you get it from here, along with Wallace D. Wattles' other books in his series:

http://booksbuddies.com?ref=barrynort...

One note: the authour has been dead for 90 years, so the language is a little dated -- but so clearly and eloquently written.
Profile Image for Ginger Marin.
Author 9 books58 followers
September 10, 2015
This book is so dated (with Wattles talking about the great steel barons from another century) that it makes many of his conclusions false.

I found a few principles worthy to digest but the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was a brilliant piece of propaganda. I picked it apart on my blog post and urge you to read it here: http://bioniclady.com/2012/09/24/the-...
Profile Image for Ramy.
1,267 reviews798 followers
December 16, 2014
لا حول و لاا قوة الا ب الله العلى العظيم ......

اقدم كتب تنمية الثروة اللى قريتها كان كتاب ل نابليون هيل ...فكر تصبح غنيا
كان اصدار 1938
و مع ذلك طلعت منه ب شوية نصايح مفيدة
الكتاب الذى نحن بصدده الان 1910
الظاهر كان عندهم جنيهات خشب....لو دورت فى الكتاب جيدا لن تجد كلمة "دولار" و لاا كلمة " اموال" و لاا كلمة "راس مال" و لاا كلمة "مليونير"
انما ستجد الكلمة الملعونة "الطريقة المعينة" و التى يعدك انها ستجعلك بلا بلا بلا بلا بلا بلا ..... و لابد ان تبتعد عن بلا بلا بلا بلا حتى تعمل ال"الطريقة المعينة" .... و التى ان اتبعتها ستصل بالتاكيد للنتيجة المرجوة لانها علم مثلها مثل الرياضيات ... !!!
و تجرى الصفحات و تنتظر ان يشرح لك ما هى "الطريقة المعينة" تحديدا و ما تفاصيلها... لتصبح ثرى و التى المفروض ان الكتاب كله يتمحور حولها فلا تجد اى شىء و تجد نفسك امام موضوع تعبير كبير ....

الكتاب فى اوله يعدك انك لست امام كتاب فلسفى و انما امام كتاب علمى ... احترمت جدا الجملة و قلت ايوه بس الراجل الخواجة الامريكى دا راجل دقيق و عملى و عارف طلبى ...طلع مجرد واحد هراى - بتشديد الراء- نصاب خطيب مفوه
اى حد منتظر ان يحتوى الكتاب على خطوات عملية ك كتاب اغنى رجل فى بابل او كتاب الاب الغنى وا لاب الفقير...انصحه يتراجع الكتاب ما هو الا موضوع تعبير كبير

الكتاب القادم :

دليل الاستثمار للاب الغني
Profile Image for Chona Lei.
2 reviews4 followers
June 25, 2012
A must read. It changes the way you look at things in life. It makes you realize what you as an individual can do and is able to do. It wakes you up to see the stronger inner you and will help you become more determined and stronger. I borrowed this book from the library and two days later, I bought it from the store. I read this book over and over again... so it can refresh my mind whenever I feel like quitting in things I wanted to do in life. Great book. Highly recommend it!!!
Profile Image for Jo Berry ☀️.
288 reviews14 followers
July 12, 2023
To be clear, there is no science in this book. It’s more of a semi-religious philosophy, and as you’d probably expect, it’s all a bit vague. Apparently, you’ll get rich if you ‘do things a certain way’, but it was never clear to me what that was. There’s no practical advice, the ideas here have more in common in with cosmic ordering, than good financial acumen.

I really felt this book was aimed at lower middle class, white, American men, when it was first published in 1910. It strongly holds to the notion that there is nothing stopping you from succeeding, as long as you have the right approach. Well, that might be true if you are a lower middle class, white, American man. Everyone else would like a word. Positive thinking is not going to overcome deeply ingrained prejudice and discrimination.

However, there are some good points here and there. It might be important to hear that it’s ok to be wealthy. You don’t need to feel guilty. Poverty is not a virtue. There is enough to go around. You also need to focus on the things you want to do if you want to succeed. Don’t be pushed into things you don’t want, because you won’t be motivated and you’ll be fighting yourself (I’m paraphrasing here, but this is the gist).

So, go ahead and read it. It’s only a short book and you might find it beneficial.
Profile Image for Seth Jenson.
110 reviews22 followers
March 4, 2010
I LOVED this book! Required reading for every man, woman and child. As soon as Max is old enough I'm going to read it to him. Who needs Mother Goose when you've got Wallace Wattles.

This book is just full from beginning to end of powerful teachings and divine wisdom. It unabashedly touts the benefits power of optimism, belief, faith, hard work, enthusiasm, gratitude, personal magnetism, leadership, progress and personal increase. Full of wisdom and truth. Profound yet simple. Profoundly simple. It teaches you how getting rich, the creative way, is the best thing you can do to help yourself, help your family, help the poor, help everyone around you and make the world a much better place.

One of the best things about this book is that it's short! No rambling. Just the facts without explanation, elaboration or apology.
Author 2 books12 followers
February 17, 2019
Rhonda Byrne’s secret was reading this book. This book is older than most known law of attraction books. What I like about this book is that it doesn’t beat around the bush. It’s very practical as well as short, just 77 pages. The author himself applied whatever he has described in this book very successfully. The more law of attraction books we read the more we know what to filter and eliminate and what to actually follow. This book has stripped out all the unnecessary details added by the later law of attraction books and focused on what exactly needs to be done practically. Surely a must read according to me even though it’s a bit dated.
13 reviews
June 18, 2023
Not recommended. This book is a brief, goofy, self-help guide, published in 1910. Wattles evangelizes the reader into his 'New Thought' ideas about ideal manifestations with a thin layer of Christian imagery laid atop.

There was a single piece of meaningful advice which he describes in the distinction between "The Creative Mind" and "The Competitive Mind", the point being that the amount of wealth in the world is not necessarily fixed, and any man may generate more value for the society than that which currently exists, and doing this will "surely make him rich".

I enjoyed listening to the Librivox audiobook (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hpSC...), though I generally don't recommend bad philosophy unless a person has a firm foundation to withstand the persuasion of a false teacher.
Profile Image for I N.
9 reviews2 followers
February 16, 2009
We need to overcome our fears of self-doubt reflected in the degree of fear and misunderstanding of wealth. Money is not the problem, for there are many with it who do great things for others. The problem comes in loving it above all else. But what the misinformed don't understand (yes, you who see the rich as evil for obtaining their riches) is that we all desire great riches.

Who doesn't? Who doesn't want absolute freedom to do as one sees fit? and in doing so maximize our potential, skills, desires, even the desire to reach out to aid others with our great riches, ala Bill Gates in his billions to the needy. Don't like the rich and what they're doing with their money? A great giver, you are? Then forget what you cannot control (the evil rich?) and receive your God-given right to wealth and abundance; obtain your own riches and come to the aid of yourself, your family, your country, your world in betterment and FEEL the LOVE! Set your legacy to EARN, pass on not only your riches but a richness of understanding to you and yours and theirs and theirs and theirs. A must read for all humans.

This is the main thrust of the book. It sets you right on the course of how to specifically obtain wealth. There is a little bit of spirituality involved, and if "God" offends, you may want to look elsewhere for inspiration. However, keep in mind that the current wealth gurus (T Harv. Ecker, Mark Victor Hansen, Robert Allen, and others) speak to the issue of mental attitude and clearing oneself of the "negative" and "unbelieving." It's actually the spiritual or, if you will, religious taken to market. I call it the sectarian "law of attraction." In order to get into the proper mindset, according to Wattles, you have to believe what you want is possible, clear your mind of all disbelief and doubt, and work toward helping others with a mind of cooperation (Wattles calls it the "creative") as apposed to the competitive.

What's good about the book is that it's not just all theory. And even though it was written a long time ago (1910), its format is inline with that of current gurus who advocate simplicity, directness, "cumulative points" review at end of each chapter, and exercises or the need for the reader to "do" not merely sit back and read.

Other than the fact that there are a few suggestions that the author makes that I don't agree with, for the majority, the book works on all levels. If you're looking to get rich for all the right reasons, then this is the book for you.

-Jeff
Profile Image for L.
150 reviews4 followers
April 23, 2017
This book is absolute and utter trite, which attempts to completely manipulate and indoctrinate the way you think. Through asserting that everything against the belief enforced in the work should be ignored as though completely false presents just how far Wattles desired his indoctrination to go.

While spouting about how Jesus and God would desire you to live in the way he proposes, he presents it as a cold and bitter life. A clarifying example of this would be his claim that charity does nothing to aid the poor and that medicine has only caused further disease.

Furthermore, his claims that getting rich come from your will to become so is far from scientific. Science is sensory and precise, as such believing that riches are coming to you (which is the "Science of Getting Rich") has nothing to do with science or any kind of rational thinking.

In summary, this work should be completely ignored if the reader wants a scientific way of gaining riches as this (and likely many other works claiming the same) are an excuse to push their own ideology onto you.
Profile Image for Sarah.
700 reviews2 followers
October 18, 2016
The Science of Getting Rich is just what I needed right now. I think from the stress of everyday responsibilities to the current political climate, life has been weighing me down. This book gave me a new and more positive perspective about all of that. This book is about gaining wealth, but it is so much more than that. It is about having the power to set your mind on something you really want and then achieving it. Sounds kind of cheesy, but I'm telling you, this book was a game changer for me. This book is an extremely quick read. I listened to the audio online and it just takes a little more than two hours. Since it was written back in 1910, this book is public domain and you can listen to it for free. Here is the link where I listened to it: https://archive.org/details/TheScienc...
Profile Image for Crystalee Beck.
54 reviews8 followers
May 7, 2016
I wish this book had a different title, because it comes across as one of "those" money-making schemes -- it's actually a philosophical book, similar to Emerson or Thoreau. Written more than 100 years ago, this book shares TRUTH about our ability to think and create wealth. So many gems of insight, such as the idea of making the impression to everyone you meet that you're an "Advancing man" (or woman) and that you are progressing. Every living thing seeks progress, and we're drawn to those who can help us advance. (True, right!?) This book helped me learn how to change my thoughts to create wealthy experiences. Abundance abounds when you see it and ask for it!
Profile Image for Peter Harris.
4 reviews
December 20, 2017
This books is truly amazing. I liked everything about the book. There aren't any tedious references to stories; it is plain and simple and to the point. From the first five minutes of reading this book I have already felt empowered to go on and reach my goals. It is truly motivating and gives the groundwork to becoming successful in whatever it is you want to become. I recommend this to anyone who wants to be something great and achieve above the masses. I bought this book at special price from here:
https://www.amazon.com/Science-Gettin...
March 3, 2016
Some good advice, but the philosophy that the author has, and the ideas he tells us to accept are so poisonously egocentric and selfish that it not only taints, but spoils the entire book.

In the beginning of the book, he tells the reader that the idea we must accept is that the world owes wealth and prosperity to you, and the point of life is to be happy and rich.

He makes a point to say that if there is a god, he would want you to be rich. In all, this is a poisonous book.
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