Status
On hold
Collection
Publication
Signet (1995), 144 pages
Description
Business. Self-Improvement. Nonfiction. HTML: This inspiring book, began in 1926 as a series of informational pamphlets distributed by banks and insurance companies. By 1927, several of these pamphlets had been compiled into a book and this collection has been in print ever since. It has helped millions of people, and has been hailed as the greatest of all inspirational works on the subject of thrift, financial planning, and personal wealth. A modern day classic, it dispenses financial advice through a collection of parables set in ancient Babylon. These famous "Babylonian parables" offer an understanding of-and solution to-a lifetime's worth of personal financial problems, and hold the secrets to acquiring money, keeping money, and making money earn more money..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member adamallen
According to Wikipedia, The Richest Man in Babylon began in 1926 as a series of informational pamphlets. Due to their popularity, Mr. Clason compiled the most popular of these pamplets into the book that exists today.
I selected The Richest Man in Babylon as an audiobook because it's one of those
While I found the book to be great foundational information, it's certainly dated with it's "where art", "thou", "makest", etc. language. This is intentional since it's conversation between men of Babylon. That's not really a problem so much as personal preference. There are several well written books that emphasize many of the same concepts in a more modern tone (which for me, makes it more readable). I would suggest Your Money or Your Life or The Total Money Makeover.
This book provides a very high level overview (but lacks in some details) of what must be done if you want to build wealth over the long term. It's also one of the original books on that topic. For those reasons, I gave it 3.5 stars. It is a good book and I would recommend it to others.
I selected The Richest Man in Babylon as an audiobook because it's one of those
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classics that I'd just never gotten around to reading. As described in the previous paragraph, the book is a series of vignets about good, conservative money management. Among other things, the tales highlight the importance of: saving at least 10% of your money, choosing a conservative way to (invest) make your money grow, paying your debts, being entrepreneurial, working hard, and asking for financial guidance. This interesting thing about this book is that many others have taken one topic of the book and expanded it into a stand alone work - or even a series of works. So many examples come to mind...Your Money or Your Life, the Dave Ramsey books (The Total Money Makeover, Financial Peace, etc.), the David Bach books (The Automatic Millionaire, etc.), the Suze Orman books, etc., etc.While I found the book to be great foundational information, it's certainly dated with it's "where art", "thou", "makest", etc. language. This is intentional since it's conversation between men of Babylon. That's not really a problem so much as personal preference. There are several well written books that emphasize many of the same concepts in a more modern tone (which for me, makes it more readable). I would suggest Your Money or Your Life or The Total Money Makeover.
This book provides a very high level overview (but lacks in some details) of what must be done if you want to build wealth over the long term. It's also one of the original books on that topic. For those reasons, I gave it 3.5 stars. It is a good book and I would recommend it to others.
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LibraryThing member buildingabookshelf
Although I know this book is considered a classic, I didn't find it very helpful. There was nothing in it that is new to me. For someone who is just learning to manage their money, it might be a helpful book.
LibraryThing member isabelx
Parables about money management set in ancient Babylon, that were originally released as individual pamphlets and distributed by banks & insurance companies. I had seen this recommended a lot on the Motley Fool boards, and I can see why. Read this book to learn the secrets of making your gold into
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a hardworking slave. Show Less
LibraryThing member heathweaver
This is one of the best books of all time about finance. Follow the simple rules in this book and you will be wealthy.
LibraryThing member Lilac_Lily01
Just because something is old, doesn't automatically mean that it is outdated. A good example for this is "The Richest Man in Babylon". The original version was written in the 1920's yet its financial advice is as current as it was back then. I enjoyed listening to these ancient tales while noting
For example:
Pay yourself first.
Live on less than you make.
Live on a budget.
Invest your money.
Diversify.
And don't go into debt.
I believe that these rules will always hold true no matter how advanced our society becomes. This book is definitely a good way to refresh some of our financial common sense. Short and straight to the point.
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all the important money lessons. Especially now that we are faced with a weak economy it is important to remind ourselves of some of these basic rules when it comes to handling money and building wealth. For example:
Pay yourself first.
Live on less than you make.
Live on a budget.
Invest your money.
Diversify.
And don't go into debt.
I believe that these rules will always hold true no matter how advanced our society becomes. This book is definitely a good way to refresh some of our financial common sense. Short and straight to the point.
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LibraryThing member Jane-Phillips
This was an interesting book to listen to due to the biblical style and the setting of ancient Babylon. There are great concepts in regards to money management and wealth, however nothing that I not heard before. Whilst these financial concepts to provide great tips and advice on how to become more
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financially secure, I feel that in today's society it is easier said than done for the average person due to the increase in economic inequality and instability. Whilst I think that one's financial habits has a lot to do with how well off a person is, I don't think this is all the story as so much depends on the financial advantages or disadvantages that a person begins with in life. Show Less
LibraryThing member BiblioTalkingWorks
I recommend this book to anyone needing the basics in handling money.
A very simple fantasy tale to get you in the way of saving. Also applauded by a financial advisor who saw it on my coffee table. "Everything I'm about to tell you is in that book."
A very simple fantasy tale to get you in the way of saving. Also applauded by a financial advisor who saw it on my coffee table. "Everything I'm about to tell you is in that book."
LibraryThing member Ti99er
This book provides the reader with sound financial advise all the while being disguised as ancient parables. The advice is practical, and is easy enough for anyone to follow in establishing ones own financial freedom.
The steps to follow are all there in black and white. I found myself nodding in
The steps to follow are all there in black and white. I found myself nodding in
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agreement as I read this book. I only have one problem.......I am not financially stable. Why you may ask? I never practiced what I read. Shame on me. Hmph!! Show Less
LibraryThing member HVFCentral
This book, considered a "classic" by professional networkers, home-based business owners, self-help aficionados, and Network Marketers, comes close to living up to its potential.
Written in the 1920s, it has some dated aspects which make it somewhat distracting in today's politically-correct
The question is, how does one become wealthy?
And we get basically the same answer that any reputable book will provide: save some money (they use the requisite 10 percent here), and spend less than you make. But there are a couple emphases placed in this book, in which it does add some real value:
First - there are only three real major pieces of advice found throughout the book. Each of the three are sliced and diced in many different ways. But I like the simplicity of having only three major points.
The first is found everywhere else: save some money, and spend less than you earn. And the classic ten percent is recommended.
The next two, of the three, are different:
1) Increase your earning potential.
2) Pay back your debts.
I found the third to be the most instructive, and even convicting. The person that pays back debts in a timely way, may still need to ask for loans - but if you are good about attempting to pay them back, it will be easier to obtain money in the future. And personal loans from friends and family are always to be preferred over institutional loans.
So - this book is not all it is cracked up to be, but good nevertheless. You can read it in a day, and should.
Now - here's to paying back all my debts, first, and quickly!
Written in the 1920s, it has some dated aspects which make it somewhat distracting in today's politically-correct
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culture. Yet, the narrative, which reads like a translation of an ancient text, actually helps set it apart from all the other books out there, dealing with personal finance.The question is, how does one become wealthy?
And we get basically the same answer that any reputable book will provide: save some money (they use the requisite 10 percent here), and spend less than you make. But there are a couple emphases placed in this book, in which it does add some real value:
First - there are only three real major pieces of advice found throughout the book. Each of the three are sliced and diced in many different ways. But I like the simplicity of having only three major points.
The first is found everywhere else: save some money, and spend less than you earn. And the classic ten percent is recommended.
The next two, of the three, are different:
1) Increase your earning potential.
2) Pay back your debts.
I found the third to be the most instructive, and even convicting. The person that pays back debts in a timely way, may still need to ask for loans - but if you are good about attempting to pay them back, it will be easier to obtain money in the future. And personal loans from friends and family are always to be preferred over institutional loans.
So - this book is not all it is cracked up to be, but good nevertheless. You can read it in a day, and should.
Now - here's to paying back all my debts, first, and quickly!
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LibraryThing member markdeo
5 Stars. Inspiring. An excellent quick read about business thinking and money management. Really basic powerful principles. This book provides so much wisdom. I highly recommend.
LibraryThing member 5crows
Great beginning primer on basic financial management
LibraryThing member sabs83
This book used a fable format to impart financial advice. It was a good way to get you to think about your finances from another point of view.
LibraryThing member roxysmith
I enjoyed reading the book. A classic novel on the timeless principles of personal finances. I believe all young adults just starting out on their own should read this book. It also is a good read for those who desire to take back control of their financial but don't know where to start.
LibraryThing member Mark_Oszoli
Babylon a city dating back to 1792 BC. In this book the author states that several number of stone tablets were unearthed through excavation about the city of Babylon these tablets did not just detail the everyday lives of Babylonians but gave advise on how to manage and invest ones money in order
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to produce wealth. Lessons which are still as viable today as they were back in Babylonian times. Show Less
LibraryThing member MugsyNoir
THE RICHEST MAN IN BAYLON provides a few very basic concepts, but ones that are at the root of financial success: pay yourself first, live frugally, invest wisely, don't chase returns, and don't give out your hard-earned dollars to someone who doesn't have the skills and discipline to safeguard
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them as you would. Whether this is the right book for you depends on whether you enjoy reading these concepts presented in an awkward, ancient style as if you're sitting around with Yul Brynner, Charleton Heston and the golden calf waiting for the Red Sea to open. What's here is certainly shorter than most other financial success tomes on the market today, so in that regard, it provides more pop per page. Worth a read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Pxan02
For a long time, I didn't understand this book; and I bet many of you didn't either.
Stylistically speaking this book is influenced, in a weird way, by Voltaire. Why you might ask?
The book, with its parables, captures something which is seldom caught in this kind of books: The human spirit.
This book
Why is this, one might ask?
Well, it's because the author understood something that it's seldom understood: Being successful with gold and, what many call today, "philosophical Jimbo talk" about the value of work and man are strongly tied together.
My favourite story is near the end of a book, it's The Ca,eò Trader of Babylon.
"Where the determination is, the way can be found" this phrase doesn't capture the story.
Imagine being a slave in a desert, without water or food, you don't know where you are. Your master, if he finds you, will kill you. If you return to your hometown you will be assaulted by debt, this is if you can even find it.
In those desert sands, that slave saw the world through a different lens, a more active and abstract one.
When he returned to Babylon he was a changed man, he repaid all his debt (with time) and managed to become a wealthy merchant.
If there is but one thing that you can carry away from this book, be it this: Your problems don't matter, your attitude toward them matter. If you go through life with a slave soul, over-indulging in pleasures and running away from challenges your problems will devour you. If by contrast, you go through life with a free man soul, never overindulge or shrink from work, then your problem will go away. With time. It might take a whole, but you will get there, eventually.
Stylistically speaking this book is influenced, in a weird way, by Voltaire. Why you might ask?
The book, with its parables, captures something which is seldom caught in this kind of books: The human spirit.
This book
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doesn't talk only about money, this book also talks about advice, whom to trust and not trust, the value of work, how a man looks upon himself, various kinds of workers and father-child relationships.Why is this, one might ask?
Well, it's because the author understood something that it's seldom understood: Being successful with gold and, what many call today, "philosophical Jimbo talk" about the value of work and man are strongly tied together.
My favourite story is near the end of a book, it's The Ca,eò Trader of Babylon.
"Where the determination is, the way can be found" this phrase doesn't capture the story.
Imagine being a slave in a desert, without water or food, you don't know where you are. Your master, if he finds you, will kill you. If you return to your hometown you will be assaulted by debt, this is if you can even find it.
In those desert sands, that slave saw the world through a different lens, a more active and abstract one.
When he returned to Babylon he was a changed man, he repaid all his debt (with time) and managed to become a wealthy merchant.
If there is but one thing that you can carry away from this book, be it this: Your problems don't matter, your attitude toward them matter. If you go through life with a slave soul, over-indulging in pleasures and running away from challenges your problems will devour you. If by contrast, you go through life with a free man soul, never overindulge or shrink from work, then your problem will go away. With time. It might take a whole, but you will get there, eventually.
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LibraryThing member David_Fosco
Simplistic, and engaging. The book serves the information in a way that is easy to understand for all ages.
LibraryThing member RonManners
"Millions of readers have been helped
by the famous "Babylonian parables," hailed
as the greatest of all inspirational works
on the subject of thrift, financial planning,
and personal wealth. In language as
simple as that of the Bible, these fascinating
and informative stories set you on a sure
path to
Acclaimed as a modern day classic, this
celebrated bestseller offers an understanding
of—and solution to—your personal
financial problems that will guide you
through a lifetime. This is the book that holds
the secrets to acquiring money, keeping
money, and making money amd
earning more money."
Taken from the Back Cover.
by the famous "Babylonian parables," hailed
as the greatest of all inspirational works
on the subject of thrift, financial planning,
and personal wealth. In language as
simple as that of the Bible, these fascinating
and informative stories set you on a sure
path to
Show More
prosperity and its accompanying joys.Acclaimed as a modern day classic, this
celebrated bestseller offers an understanding
of—and solution to—your personal
financial problems that will guide you
through a lifetime. This is the book that holds
the secrets to acquiring money, keeping
money, and making money amd
earning more money."
Taken from the Back Cover.
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LibraryThing member beatgammit
It was a nice, short read that concisely summarizes a lot of other financial books I've read. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in fixing their financial situation.
LibraryThing member jerenda
If nothing else, this was an entertaining read. Reading about finances is usually dead boring. This book avoided that pitfall by presenting itself as a series of narratives focused around the principles it wanted to teach.
I'm not sure Babylon is a model I wish to emulate, given that it was
As for the "laws of gold" themselves, they seem fairly simple and logical. It's actually living by their principles that would be hard. The income distribution map that he highlights in the last few chapters doesn't exactly fit my purposes - I donate regularly to my church, and he has no room in his budget for tithing or taxes - but the model of self-control and of being the master of your own money is solid.
I'm not sure Babylon is a model I wish to emulate, given that it was
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considered one of the more depraved cities of the world and now stands as an allusion to pride and idolatry. Riches, yes, but great sins as well. But these tales are not, of course, actually from Babylon, so I suppose that's not much of a problem.As for the "laws of gold" themselves, they seem fairly simple and logical. It's actually living by their principles that would be hard. The income distribution map that he highlights in the last few chapters doesn't exactly fit my purposes - I donate regularly to my church, and he has no room in his budget for tithing or taxes - but the model of self-control and of being the master of your own money is solid.
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LibraryThing member xoyd
you cannot read this book without being bored to death!0 stars!
LibraryThing member dhrona
Good book. It is also a quick read. However, much of the wisdom that he shares is already abundant and the challenge is not in what to do to but acquiring the discipline to do it. I only wish the conversational language was a little simpler.
Original language
English
Original publication date
1926
Physical description
160 p.; 5.02 inches
ISBN
0451165209 / 9780451165206