Napoleon Hill - Andrew Carnegies Mental Dynamite: How to Unlock the Awesome Power of You

By James Whittaker

I ts a strange feeling to read a manuscript that so few people have seen. Its even stranger to read through a manuscript based on conversations that took place more than a century ago yet strike to the heart of almost every problem we face today, whether in relationships, education, politics, career advancement, homelessness, business management, financial independence, or even democracy.

Ive been a student of Napoleon Hill for many years, but theres something special about this book you hold in your hands. I dont recall ever having felt the energy running through my veins quite the way it did while I was perusing what should be regarded as a national treasure.

This book carries with it both the promise of hope and a blueprint for success, offered by one of the worlds most successful individuals and prepared by one of the best-selling authors in history.

To illustrate its power properly, we must quickly explore the humble beginnings through which its namesake, Andrew Carnegie, began his life. After spending his first thirteen years in Scotland, Andrew and his family moved to the United States in 1848; they sought steady work, a more comfortable life, and a fresh start. But fortune continued to elude the family after their long voyage, and so that same year, to help put food on the table, young Andrew obtained a job at a textile mill, where he worked twelve hours a day, six days a week.

Although poor in possessions, the boy was rich in intellectual curiosity, which found its release when a local businessman gave him regular access to a library. Carnegie was so grateful for the kindness shown to him that he vowed to pay kindness forward to other poor children if ever he found himself in a position of wealth. It was in these most humble beginnings that his potential first sparked.

Many years later, the unshakable seed of philanthropic obligation still empire, having revolutionized the steel industry in a way that turned ordinary workers into millionaires and created opportunity for countless other industries.

Yet a funny thing happened. Having spent a lifetime acquiring one of the largest personal fortunes in recorded history, Carnegie dedicated his remaining days to giving it away. Not giving it away in the sense of making it rain on city streets or providing material possessions for those in needno. The business legend realized there was something far richer than money, a treasure buried deep within every person fortunate enough to grace the earth: potential.

If society could only find a way to recognize and unlock the potential of every individual on the planet, widespread harmony finally would be achievable. After all, that was Carnegies aimharmony. Those who live in harmony willingly offer their service to others, continue to learn as much as they can, and work diligently in their own manner to make the world a better place. With a global population working in a spirit of harmonythe ultimate mastermindstandards of living, investment in healthcare, and a general feeling of purpose would all be elevated significantly.

At the time of Carnegies passing, his fortune was estimated at more than $400 billion, adjusted for inflation. But the steel magnate never sought recognition for his financial wealth. He believed the real measure of someones success in his or her short stint on earth was represented by how many people that individual had helped. Carnegie believed that wealthy people had an obligation to give back because he recognized, through the all-commanding laws of nature, that were allthe population, the planet, and the economyintricately connected. What you do to one, you do to all, and vice versa.

Today, Andrew Carnegie is still listed as one of the top philanthropists in history. His business acumen enabled him to build an enormous fortune, but his generosity helped everyone, from humble workers who wanted to obtain an education to warring countries that sought peace.

Think and Grow Rich has confused many who simply study the title and avidly pursue financial gain at all costs. As Hill so aptly says about Carnegie in this book, His own attitude toward money was revealed by the fact that he gave away most of his huge fortune before he died. While the Scotsman was busy determining the best avenues for giving away more than 90 percent of the material wealth he had been able to accumulate, he also sought to create and to distributeas far and wide as possiblea practical philosophy that would show everyday people how to unleash their own brilliance, a philosophy that encapsulated all elements and obstacles of life.

Reader, make no mistake about the power of the book you hold in your handsit might just be the most life-changing book youve ever read. But even more important, recognize the power of the heart in your chest and the brain in your head, which can be directed toward creating any circumstances you desire.

This book provides a comprehensive blueprint for approaching the challenges of everyday life and creating opportunities for a life of greater prosperity than you ever thought possible. This approach is illustrated through three fundamental principles: self-discipline, learning from defeat, and the Golden Rule applied. This is a book about leadership, first through taking the reins of your own life and second by helping others do the same thing. For those in the midst of trauma, heartbreak, or some other misfortune, this book offers a practical method for staging a comeback grander than you ever imagined.

After each conversation, you will find a detailed analysis from Hill, using real-world examples, of what he learned and how it can be applied. Even though the material is undoubtedly timeless, Ive included annotations to help illustrate the key themes and provide more modern examples of these principles in action. These illustrations will provide further evidence that Carnegies teachings continue to launch every innovation, transform every industry, and spawn the champions we cheer on today.