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The Human Machine: Secrets of Success
Prime Library “Slaves are not made by prison bars or manacles, slaves are made through their minds, what they think and how they are made to feel”
M. J. Penny One of the Greatest, if not the Greatest forces governing the human body is HABIT. Nine tenths of our habits are carried out subconsciously. To harness the power of ‘thought’ to instill new habits that are beneficial is the secret to living a successful life. But to think in an active sense-to use the brain as a dynamo for the manufacture of originality, of ‘thought force’ is rare. Yet everyone can do it if conscious effort is used, if the effort is made every day, if in other words, a HABIT is formed.
Through his inspirational articles, E. R. Thompson influenced millions of readers in the early 1920's. Today, his words are just as relevant. The ‘Human Machine’ is a simple book of wisdom, each page containing a problem encountered in life, matched with the correct way to think and tackle that problem. Once read, these simple but effective strategies will have you viewing life in a different way, empowered and secure in the new knowledge and control you possess. Thoughts and feelings eventually shape the person you become.
M. J. Penny One of the Greatest, if not the Greatest forces governing the human body is HABIT. Nine tenths of our habits are carried out subconsciously. To harness the power of ‘thought’ to instill new habits that are beneficial is the secret to living a successful life. But to think in an active sense-to use the brain as a dynamo for the manufacture of originality, of ‘thought force’ is rare. Yet everyone can do it if conscious effort is used, if the effort is made every day, if in other words, a HABIT is formed.
Through his inspirational articles, E. R. Thompson influenced millions of readers in the early 1920's. Today, his words are just as relevant. The ‘Human Machine’ is a simple book of wisdom, each page containing a problem encountered in life, matched with the correct way to think and tackle that problem. Once read, these simple but effective strategies will have you viewing life in a different way, empowered and secure in the new knowledge and control you possess. Thoughts and feelings eventually shape the person you become.
166 pages, Paperback
First published February 21, 2013
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351 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 2, 2021
This book has 80 single page chapters that revolve around thinking logically, strengthening your will, conquering fear and failure and hence ultimately, acting like a "man" (in the conventional sense when such books were written).
Written in 1929, what amazes me is how timeless some of these lessons are. And how they'll still be relevant a 100 years from now. The chapters have interesting paragraphs and lines which can act as motivational quotes for your bedroom or office walls. Highlighting and re-reading these lines so that you really reinforce the message is the right way to read this book.
I read this book cover to cover all in one go but that's not very effective. Like other short self improvement books, you need to read a chapter, distill its essence, let it simmer in your thoughts, apply it in your life, test its effectiveness for yourself, discard the useless parts, ingrain it in your habits and finally move on to the next chapter.
But who has the time? (There's a chapter that criticizes people who keep complaining about lack of time which felt like a personal retort).
Read this book if you don't find motivational quotes cringey and if you have an ambitious annual reading target to reach in a few weeks' time.
Written in 1929, what amazes me is how timeless some of these lessons are. And how they'll still be relevant a 100 years from now. The chapters have interesting paragraphs and lines which can act as motivational quotes for your bedroom or office walls. Highlighting and re-reading these lines so that you really reinforce the message is the right way to read this book.
I read this book cover to cover all in one go but that's not very effective. Like other short self improvement books, you need to read a chapter, distill its essence, let it simmer in your thoughts, apply it in your life, test its effectiveness for yourself, discard the useless parts, ingrain it in your habits and finally move on to the next chapter.
But who has the time? (There's a chapter that criticizes people who keep complaining about lack of time which felt like a personal retort).
Read this book if you don't find motivational quotes cringey and if you have an ambitious annual reading target to reach in a few weeks' time.
June 11, 2013
This book is concise and easy to understand, with much of the advice and science being relevant to modern life. Some of the language and points of view are outdated or hard to approach, and a little more context about the work of ER Thompson might have made the material more accessible. Overall, I think this can be a very helpful collection for anyone seeking to understand how to vary and improve upon daily habits.
I received a copy of this book for free through the Goodreads First Reads program.
I received a copy of this book for free through the Goodreads First Reads program.
December 4, 2025
Great book! 100 years old but 100% still relevant
Must read if you enjoy self help
Must read if you enjoy self help
March 7, 2013
One of the Greatest, if not the Greatest forces governing the human body is HABIT. Nine tenths of our habits are carried out subconsciously. To harness the power of ‘thought’ to instill new habits that are beneficial is the secret to living a successful life.
But to think in an active sense-to use the brain as a dynamo for the manufacture of originality, of ‘thought force’ is rare. Yet everyone can do it if conscious effort is used, if the effort is made every day, if in other words, a HABIT is formed.
Through his inspirational articles, E. R. Thompson influenced millions of readers in the early 1920′s. Today, his words are just as relevant.
The ‘Human Machine’ is a simple book of wisdom, each page containing a problem encountered in life, matched with the correct way to think and tackle that problem. Once read, these simple but effective strategies will have you viewing life in a different way, empowered and secure in the new knowledge and control you possess.
But to think in an active sense-to use the brain as a dynamo for the manufacture of originality, of ‘thought force’ is rare. Yet everyone can do it if conscious effort is used, if the effort is made every day, if in other words, a HABIT is formed.
Through his inspirational articles, E. R. Thompson influenced millions of readers in the early 1920′s. Today, his words are just as relevant.
The ‘Human Machine’ is a simple book of wisdom, each page containing a problem encountered in life, matched with the correct way to think and tackle that problem. Once read, these simple but effective strategies will have you viewing life in a different way, empowered and secure in the new knowledge and control you possess.
March 9, 2013
E.R. Thompson was a man ahead of his time. His words of wisdom could be described as the common sense we have forgotten. M.J. Penny has made a real find with this publication, written almost a century ago, by making it available for modern readers. Thompson's advice for those who suffer anything from anxiety to memory loss is clear, precise and entertaining. From the age of the 'stiff upper lip', and the 'pull yourself together' attitude towards mental health, Thompson is a sympathetic voice who had a cast iron grip on the practice of positive thinking. In an age of distractions, The Human Machine offers our society today a calming voice, a positive outlook and even advice for tennis players!
May 28, 2013
This was an interesting collection of articles, containing some very sound commen sense. It was perfect for picking up in between other reading for the odd article here and there. I can see why the articles were so popular, however many of the ideas now sound somewhat cliche and this edition was a little let down by some spelling errors and some odd changes in text size within some of the foot-noted which distracted from the message at hand.
Please note, I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads 'First Reads'
Please note, I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads 'First Reads'
May 5, 2013
I was one of the lucky few to receive an advance copy from the author through Goodreads Firstreads Giveaway.
This book made for very interesting reading as to why we think the way that we do and act the way that we act. There were quite a few wonderful tips for how to re-train or reprogram our thoughts and control our mind.
Definitely worth the read just for the information and insight provided.
This book made for very interesting reading as to why we think the way that we do and act the way that we act. There were quite a few wonderful tips for how to re-train or reprogram our thoughts and control our mind.
Definitely worth the read just for the information and insight provided.
March 7, 2013
The whole book is rather like having some wise old guru on hand to ask when you need some guidance. I found this book not only full of helpful, actionable suggestions, but also full of truly inspirational thoughts, ideas, and teachings.
If this book doesn't motivate you to finally live your dreams and accomplish your goals, I don't know what will.
If this book doesn't motivate you to finally live your dreams and accomplish your goals, I don't know what will.
July 15, 2013
I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads.
It is an easy read book with one page devoted to each inspirational article which were originally printed in the 1920's.
It's an interesting read because you can pick a page each day or each week or just read the whole book.
I like the way the author's thoughts are still very relevant today.
It is an easy read book with one page devoted to each inspirational article which were originally printed in the 1920's.
It's an interesting read because you can pick a page each day or each week or just read the whole book.
I like the way the author's thoughts are still very relevant today.
March 7, 2013
This book has been a great find, with lots of useful and helpful wisdom. Reading this book helps you look at your everyday life in a different way. Really like the way this book is laid out with one topic on each page. This will be a book I will refer to over and over again.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews