Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Fawcett Crest (1982), Paperback
Description
Self-Improvement. Nonfiction. HTML:An international bestseller with over five million copies in print, The Power of Positive Thinking has helped men and women around the world to achieve fulfillment in their lives through Dr. Norman Vincent Peale's powerful message of faith and inspiration. In this phenomenal bestseller, "written with the sole objective of helping the reader achieve a happy, satisfying, and worthwhile life," Dr. Peale demonstrates the power of faith in action. With the practical techniques outlined in this book, you can energize your lifeâ??and give yourself the initiative needed to carry out your ambitions and hopes. You'll learn how to: Believe in yourself and in everything you do Build new power and determination Develop the power to reach your goals Break the worry habit and achieve a relaxed life Improve your personal and professional relationships Assume control over your circumstances Be kind to yourself… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member gdill
Overall, "The Power of Positive Thinking" is a good and decent book. It is a bit aged. The dialog, illustrations, and references are obviously from a bygone era (1950s). But, the overall premise of the book is quite simple and relevant today: Utilizing the art of visualization and having faith in
Show More
the visual. Believing in what you want in order to succeed and make happen. Peale uses various Biblical text to support the view that you can make happen anything you want to as long as it fits within God's will. In general I agree with this premise. But, Peale seems to place more faith on the visualization itself rather than placing the faith in God alone. And, there seemed to be a high emphasis on achieving great business success throughout the book. But, I enjoyed the relaxation techniques Peale offers throughout this book. And, I like the technique of repetitive self-talk, Scripture memory, and imagery of peace and tranquility in order to sustain harmony and calm in ones life. I also appreciated Peale's encouragement to not let any negative thoughts enter into the mind. The minute it does, put an end to it and immediately replace it with a positive thought. I also appreciate Peale's call to sustain a pure and positive mind, free of worry and anxiety, as it will inevitably lead to a healthy body (healthy mind = healthy body). There were many good Scripture verses and passages scattered throughout the book; verses that offer encouragement, hope, and strength. The one thing that is missing from this book is a general summarization of all the practical techniques mentioned throughout the book. It seems the techniques were a bit obscure and hard to find at times. It would have been nice for Peale to have brought it altogether. Nevertheless, the book is good. I highly recommend it to those who struggle with anxiety and worry like myself. I also recommend it to those who may suffer from low self esteem. Show Less
LibraryThing member jayne_charles
I don't often read these motivational texts, but this one I found absolutely inspiring. The author leads by example, and I did find that by following some of the simplest tips I felt a lot better. 'You will suddenly find you love everyone!' enthuses Dr Peale. I must admit I did feel a lot more
Show More
positive towards others whilst following his advice, and for a crabby old hermit like me that was definitely progress! Show Less
LibraryThing member serbook
This book had a life-changing impact on me. Well worth a read if you are struggling with life answers
LibraryThing member trish4
A bit much into the bible as a self help tool.
LibraryThing member Leangpeou
A self-help book on the importance of the power of the mind over the body.
LibraryThing member lovethelibrary
One of self-help's greatest
LibraryThing member StephanieA46
You can tell this book is from a different era, but the message still applies. It's a good tool to help me put into practice remembering that God won't let me down, that with His help I can accomplish and get through anything. And that my everyday seemingly ho-hum life is much richer than that.
LibraryThing member madepercy
This is essentially a work for Christians. But here is what I gleaned from it:
- "Prayerise, picturise, actualise" (pp. 63-5).
- "Do you ever 'fume' or 'fret'?" (p. 96).
- "Self-knowledge is the beginning of self-correction" (p. 241).
- "easy power" and "correlated power" (p. 243).
Peale mentions
- "Prayerise, picturise, actualise" (pp. 63-5).
- "Do you ever 'fume' or 'fret'?" (p. 96).
- "Self-knowledge is the beginning of self-correction" (p. 241).
- "easy power" and "correlated power" (p. 243).
Peale mentions
Show More
dozens of famous people, including Marcus Aurelius and Edison, and endless examples of faith and positive thinking based on his own experience. His argument is that faith is scientific, and will be proven so. The work reflects many of the conversations I have had with Christian psychologists. It is difficult to be pessimistic when surrounded by such optimism. In the words of my late great-grandmother, "Think positive. Always think positive". Show Less
LibraryThing member stevholt
Self-help. Religious approach
LibraryThing member smallself
Although he’s old-fashioned in some ways, he leads in with Believe In Yourself, which must have been what he thought his contemporaries most lacked and needed to hear.
LibraryThing member IonaS
This classic which was copyrighted in 1952 according to the edition I borrowed from the library is still extremely popular; I wasn’t allowed to renew the book since several potential readers were queuing up for it.
The author provides us with techniques by which we can improve our lives, together
Rev. Peale apparently travelled around the country (USA) holding talks and so on and constantly met up with people who told him their success stories by using his methods.
His favourite affirmation, which is from Philippians 4:13, is “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Not being a keen Bible reader myself, I find this archaic language challenging (and my computer programme Word objects to it too, but I understood it to mean “Through Christ I can do everything that strengthens me.”
Peale advises those who feel they lack power and confidence to repeat the sentence several times after getting into bed at night and then three times in the morning before getting up. This should be done with an attitude of faith.
One man reported that this formula did wonders for him.
The author quotes the psychiatrist Dr Karl Menninger as saying “Attitudes are more important than facts.” He also quotes Emerson as stating “They conquer who believe they can.”
We are given many valuable precepts to follow, for example:
1) Form a mental picture of yourself as succeeding.
2) Whenever a negative thought concerning your personal powers comes to mind, deliberately voice a positive thought to cancel it out.
3) Ten times a day repeat “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
4) Put yourself in God’s hands. Simply state “I am in God’s hands.” Then believe you are NOW receiving all the power you need. Feel it flowing into you.
5)
Practice emptying your mind of fears, hates, insecurities and guilt feelings. Do this at least twice a day. This will give you relief.
Practice thinking peaceful thoughts, focusing on words such as “tranquillity” and “serenity”.
One of the author’s main pieces of advice is to start to read the Bible.
He also recommends “a daily practice of silence”, at least 15 minutes of absolute quiet every twenty-four hours. He quotes Thomas Carlyle as stating “Silence is the element in which great things fashion themselves”.
He gives us a chapter about how to have constant energy and one about trying “prayer power”.
Some negative aspects of the book were as follows:
1) At one point Peale rails against communism. “No one has more contempt for communism than I have”. What has that to do with anything?
2) Though most of Peale’s clients seem to have been women (nothing has changed there), he addresses the readers as though they’re all men, sometimes advising us to say affirmations or the like while gazing into the mirror in the morning while shaving.
I realize that this latter characteristic of the author’s writing was a sign of the times. Everyone was presumed to be male, males after all being the absolutely more important gender (Satire!)
Other outdated uses of words were the continual reference to “fine” meaning “good” persons. Catherine Ponder uses this word frequently too. There are also many “gay” people” though the meaning here is the original one, not the one we nowadays attribute to the word.
But, to sum up, the book, though markedly dated (and it can’t help that) is well-written, inspiring and filled with effective life-improving spiritual techniques.
The author provides us with techniques by which we can improve our lives, together
Show More
with case histories of those who have been helped.Rev. Peale apparently travelled around the country (USA) holding talks and so on and constantly met up with people who told him their success stories by using his methods.
His favourite affirmation, which is from Philippians 4:13, is “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Not being a keen Bible reader myself, I find this archaic language challenging (and my computer programme Word objects to it too, but I understood it to mean “Through Christ I can do everything that strengthens me.”
Peale advises those who feel they lack power and confidence to repeat the sentence several times after getting into bed at night and then three times in the morning before getting up. This should be done with an attitude of faith.
One man reported that this formula did wonders for him.
The author quotes the psychiatrist Dr Karl Menninger as saying “Attitudes are more important than facts.” He also quotes Emerson as stating “They conquer who believe they can.”
We are given many valuable precepts to follow, for example:
1) Form a mental picture of yourself as succeeding.
2) Whenever a negative thought concerning your personal powers comes to mind, deliberately voice a positive thought to cancel it out.
3) Ten times a day repeat “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
4) Put yourself in God’s hands. Simply state “I am in God’s hands.” Then believe you are NOW receiving all the power you need. Feel it flowing into you.
5)
Practice emptying your mind of fears, hates, insecurities and guilt feelings. Do this at least twice a day. This will give you relief.
Practice thinking peaceful thoughts, focusing on words such as “tranquillity” and “serenity”.
One of the author’s main pieces of advice is to start to read the Bible.
He also recommends “a daily practice of silence”, at least 15 minutes of absolute quiet every twenty-four hours. He quotes Thomas Carlyle as stating “Silence is the element in which great things fashion themselves”.
He gives us a chapter about how to have constant energy and one about trying “prayer power”.
Some negative aspects of the book were as follows:
1) At one point Peale rails against communism. “No one has more contempt for communism than I have”. What has that to do with anything?
2) Though most of Peale’s clients seem to have been women (nothing has changed there), he addresses the readers as though they’re all men, sometimes advising us to say affirmations or the like while gazing into the mirror in the morning while shaving.
I realize that this latter characteristic of the author’s writing was a sign of the times. Everyone was presumed to be male, males after all being the absolutely more important gender (Satire!)
Other outdated uses of words were the continual reference to “fine” meaning “good” persons. Catherine Ponder uses this word frequently too. There are also many “gay” people” though the meaning here is the original one, not the one we nowadays attribute to the word.
But, to sum up, the book, though markedly dated (and it can’t help that) is well-written, inspiring and filled with effective life-improving spiritual techniques.
Show Less
LibraryThing member DrT
The Power of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale
Why I picked up this book: I knew the author was a pastor and sold a lot of books and being a clinical psychologist and a Christian, I was curious to see how he was able to write about Christianity and positive thinking.
Thoughts: Is a book
Why I finished this read: I finished it because the more I read it seemed to be saying the same thing over and over and I was hopeful to read more in depth Christian foundational material.
I rated this book as a 2.5 stars.
Why I picked up this book: I knew the author was a pastor and sold a lot of books and being a clinical psychologist and a Christian, I was curious to see how he was able to write about Christianity and positive thinking.
Thoughts: Is a book
Show More
written by a Christian man. He advocates faith in God and a positive mindset. This seems to be a self-helpbook that gives techniques to assist with improving various things in life. This book breaks it into three categories: Faith (underlying beliefs), Positive Thinking (mindset), and Practices (good habits and practical techniques). When reading this book I was familiar with many if the biblical verses. In the beginning of this book I thought the biblical verses seemed to be used as a superficial add on and not an in-depth biblical foundation to Christian writing to me. My undergraduate degree was from a top-quality Christian University with great professors. They seemed to live, breath, and eat Christianity. I've read some reviews that proclaimed has good this book was, being the most relevant and powerful book they have ever read on this subject but it was not that powerful to me IMO. This book seemed more human focused rather than God first to me. Why I finished this read: I finished it because the more I read it seemed to be saying the same thing over and over and I was hopeful to read more in depth Christian foundational material.
I rated this book as a 2.5 stars.
Show Less
LibraryThing member kylecarroll
Yeah...definitely don't go into this expecting Dale Carnegie levels of self-help and motivation. This whole book read like religious propaganda. DNF'd after the first chapter.
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1952
Physical description
6.8 inches
ISBN
0449214931 / 9780449214930