The Power of Positive Living

by Norman Vincent Peale

Filled with letters, anecdotes, and examples drawn from the author's extensive counseling experience with men and women of all ages and walks of life, this powerful guide offers a profound yet easily applied message to every individual: You can conquer personal fears, triumph over adversity, and transform and enhance your daily life. Inside, you'll find the concrete steps necessary for developing confidence and self-esteem, Dr. Peale's personal recipe for happiness, and a simple but powerful formula for molding your own destiny and finding fulfillment in life.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Inspirational, Christianity, Psychology

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) was a minister and author (most notably of The Power of Positive Thinking) and a progenitor of the theory of "positive thinking".

Peale was born in Bowersville, Ohio. He graduated from Bellefontaine High School, Bellefontaine, Ohio. He has earned degrees at Ohio Wesleyan University (where he became a brother of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta) and Boston University School of Theology.

Raised as a Methodist and ordained as a Methodist minister in 1922, Peale changed his religious affiliation to the Reformed Church in America in 1932 and began a 52-year tenure as pastor of Marble Collegiate Church in Manhattan. During that time the church's membership grew from 600 to over 5000, and he became one of New York City's most famous preachers.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wish I could have met Norman Vincent Peale! He strikes me as a down-to-earth man who could talk with anyone and anything, and make them feel better for having had the conversation. What a gift! I admire his communications skills and his ability to deliver his message of believing in the positive, always, through folksy anecdotes and stories. It's hard not to think positively when reading this book. Now if only he were still alive and down the street to come kick me in the butt with periodic reminders, things would be perfect!

A very readable book with a helpful message.

Thanks to NetGalley and Open Road Media for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sohini Sarkar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is long as the authors quotes many real life incidences of positive living which, according to the author, is a combination of belief in God, positive thinking and enthusiasm. He also mentions how medical science has evolved to recognise that the mental health is proportional to physical health and tries to substantiate his claims with scientific research data as much as possible. A good part of the book might feel like religious sermons but the conclusions given at the end of each chapter look to be doable and effective.

[Adrian Starks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book proves to be another milestone for Dr. Vincent Peale. I love his ability to use personal stories to bring his points across to the reader. Thank you Dr.Peale for leaving your legacy behind for all to continue to learn the Power of Positive Thinking and Living!

[Tushar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book teaches how to live life powerfully.This book focuses on forgiveness, enthusiasm and how to bounce back.It also teaches how to have faith in God and yourself and achieve your goals.

[Tom · Rating 1 out of 5]

who's God , Him or us ? some of Peale's teachings are just plain offensive. But on the flipside he does have good teachings also.

[Rasha Abdelnabi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too many stories compared to actual substance. I am disappointed.

[SKP · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually listened to this book on Audible, and the recording was very well done, although I wish Norman Vincent Peale himself had narrated the unabridged editions of his books. He did some abridged editions, but others do the unabridged versions. Since he lived 1898-1993, it has been a while since he walked the earth, and I think he is still missed by many. He has left quite a legacy with both his books, and the enduring magazine he helped start, Guideposts. As was his most famous book, THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING, this one is a collection of personal experiences and anecdotes to help illustrate putting that power into action in your life. I intend to purchase and listen to all of his unabridged books that are available, because they continue to be relevant all of these years after publication.

[Mohamed Abdelwahed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr Norman Vincent Peale is admirable and The Power of Positive Living is a great read for those who our down and looking for motivation. But not a temporarily motivation that is easily obtained, but one that comes with effort and will reward you tenfold. Believing in a higher power coupled with belief in yourself is the ultimate key to unlock success in any form. I really enjoy Dr Peale using real examples of individuals journeys and experiences, helps grasp his methods and ideologies. you are what you eat, you are who you hang around, and the same goes to how you think. Negative thoughts encourage negative results and vice versa so be optimistic.

[Reuen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book will help if you subscribe to pewdiepie.

Jokes aside the book is OK, it has some helpful guide for improving your life. Most of its content are anecdotes, like a story of a pathetic man becoming successful just by having faith in God and almost all of it are in these context. I thought the book is about a sofisticated analysis of being optimistic and how to become of it, but, It talks about reading verses from the bible and avoiding to have a negative mindset. Surely it will work but it depends on you of how you apply it.

[Josh Clement · Rating 1 out of 5]

The basic idea here is encouraging a "believing, positive attitude."

This is something like firmness. Optimistic. Non-defeatist. No-kid yourself attitude. Genuine, steadfast. Solid, satisfying.

But I'm sure that was the message of the book that made him famous - and I made a mistake reading this first, which was published many years later - when the author was in his 90s and isn't offering any revisions or new ideas.

You'll need to see past the folksy American style, past the scripture quotes, the inane conversations and cliches to find value here.

[Bianca M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wish I could've met Norman because i think that for every negativity shared with him..he will return with a positive thought that you didnt even thought about it.

In my point of view he is a great man with a beautiful view about life and a man who learned in this life from others..I wish to find people who can share positive thoughts and learn from them as Norman.

Loved the book, learned every single chapter and changed my way of thinking.

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Excellent. Excellent. Positive thoughts can (will) change your life. Fill your head with good thoughts, so much so that there is no room for self-doubt or negative thoughts of others.
We all need to read this book. It would be excellent for teenagers, students, those who believe life has short changed them or need encouragement. That covers just about everyone.
Classic Norman Vincent Peale. Very easy to read or listen to.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very motivational book which would have got 5 stars if it had not been so religious!

To get the most from the book and it's meaning you need to be able to put aside the constant references to God and religion.

For me this really spoiled the book and I really, really wanted to embrace it for everything it was meant to be.

If you can put aside the religion then there are lots of really helpful stories and you do get a genuine sense of positivity and well being while you read it.

[Emmanuel Mandela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first I will read by Vincent Norman Pearle and I must confess that I was spellbound by the numerous examples he gave of people who became successful not on a platter but by believing in God and themselves, hard work and consistency. This is a good read and a compulsory one for negative thinkers.

[Mark Blane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey, it's Norman Vincent Peale, what can I say? I first read "The Power of Positive Thinking," by Peale, and thought I would follow that up with this read. I enjoy how he reviews enthusiasm as God within (En Theos), and how one can throw their heart over the bar (goal) and let the body follow. Sage and timeless advice to positive thinking tied to clever Bible verses peppered through out.

[Jodee Whitworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing new but doesn’t hurt to be reminded. Start my day with God ... LISTEN first, then talk to Him! Focus on the positive and the outcome, but be open and willing to take what God gives me ... it might even be better! 😉

[terry stallings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks, Dr. Peale

Thanks, Dr. Peale for writing this and other books that deal with improving your life. Dr. Peale writes with honesty, and uses examples of people he has helped. Read it, and try it. You'll be glad you did!

[T.J. Puritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource. Just as good as the power of positive thinking.
Even though he wrote it in the 1990’s and some of the events were dated, the stories and their scenarios were unaffected. Peale was a master
I highly recommend this book

[Antoinette Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I read this book in my twenties I went out and bought all his other books. Fantastic! It made a great impact. Little did I realize how crucial this was to become later in life. My mom said he was the speaker at her Highschool graduation in the late 1930s! Wow…

[Alex Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr Peale was insightful and guiding. This book is practical if nothing else. The tools it provides would serve anyone well, a recommended read for someone who is struggling with direction and purpose!

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

All I can keep thinking is no one involved in producing this book knew how to spell imagining...

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall It's added value of my life! I did find some of the example stories a bit excessive. Outside of that it was good!

[Roberto Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, I liked it due to the vast majority of subjects that takes place on this book. It feel personally, like the author knew me

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this at a point when I needed practical steps and pointers on tackling a very big health challenge in my life!! Helpful! Inspiring to read about so many people who overcame obstacles!

[Mwangala Muyoyeta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of valuable timeless lessons. So glad I finally read this book that has been on my shelf for a long time

[W. Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need to get my mind under control and this book helps with that.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

positive

Such a good inspirational book. Definitely motivated me to think better and to keep pushing when things get tough! Always goes back to God!

[Annalise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very repetitive and overlapped from his previous books. Love the author, but stick to his original stuff.

[Jeni | StoryTimeReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟💪 Smile Your Way to Success: Peale's Positivity Playbook 😁📚

Norman Vincent Peale, PhD, (1898-1993) wasn’t just a pastor; he was the granddaddy of positive thinking before it was cool. Think of him as the pioneer of self-help, laying the groundwork for books like *The Secret* long before they hit the shelves. His teachings, grounded in Christian values, preach that positive thinking isn’t just a nice idea but a powerful tool to transform your life.

Every time I crack open *The Power of Positive Living*, I find myself pausing to absorb his sage advice, almost as if he’s sending a personal pep talk straight to my brain. His belief that positivity attracts positivity, combined with faith in Jesus Christ (or a higher power, if that’s your vibe), creates a compelling case for living a richer, more rewarding life.

Sure, some critics have grumbled about the book's religious undertones, but let’s be real: Peale was a pastor! If you’re down with Christianity, this book will give you a dose of inspiration and a few chuckles along the way. It’s one of those gems you’ll want to read over and over, highlighting passages like they’re precious nuggets of wisdom.

So, if you’re ready to embrace a life where optimism reigns supreme and you’re okay with a bit of holy guidance, *The Power of Positive Living* is your ticket to a brighter outlook and a more fulfilling life.

✨ Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for impactful advice, timeless wisdom, and personal resonance, while also providing a clear note on its Christian basis. A positive and enthusiastic perspective.

⚠️ Content Warning. It is considered a clean read. It focuses on positive thinking and Christian teachings without explicit content or controversial themes. It’s a motivational book meant to inspire and uplift through faith and optimism.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too "Jesusy" for my taste, but I understand that that's his believe so he has to write it like this. The message is easily understood. Mostly a lot of stories which could be inspirational to some people.