The Science of Success, The Secret to Getting What You Want

by Wallace D. Wattles

A Life-Changing book that unlocks the secret to attracting health, wealth and success.

Genres: Self Help, Personal Development, Business, Nonfiction, Personal Growth, Finance, Spirituality

272 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2007

About the author

Wallace Delois Wattles was an American author. A New Thought writer, he remains personally somewhat obscure, but his writing has been widely quoted and remains in print in the New Thought and self-help movements. Wattles' best known work is a 1910 book called The Science of Getting Rich in which he explained how to become wealthy.

He studied the writings of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and Ralph Waldo Emerson and recommended the study of their books to his readers who wished to understand what he characterized as "the monistic theory of the cosmos".

Through his personal study and experimentation Wattles claimed to have discovered the truth of New Thought principles and put them into practice in his own life. He wrote books outlining these principles and practices, giving them titles that described their content, such as Health Through New Thought and Fasting and The Science of Being Great. His daughter Florence recalled that "he lived every page" of his books.

A practical author, Wattles encouraged his readers to test his theories on themselves rather than take his word as an authority, and he claimed to have tested his methods on himself and others before publishing them.

Wattles practiced the technique of creative visualization. In his daughter Florence's words, he "formed a mental picture" or visual image, and then "worked toward the realization of this vision".

Rhonda Byrne told a Newsweek interviewer that her inspiration for creating the 2006 hit film The Secret and the subsequent book by the same name, was her exposure to Wattles's The Science of Getting Rich. Byrne's daughter, Hayley, had given her mother a copy of the Wattles book to help her recover from her breakdown.

Reviews

[Kellygirl2292 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have given this book another star or even two if the author would have stopped repeating himself over and over and over again.

[Baba · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reprinting of the obscure but very much inspirational (within the self-help genre) tome by the 'New Thought' thinker Wallace D Wattles who at the start of the 20th century claimed to have found a profound truth in the works of the great thinkers and expanded on them in the three works in this book 'The science of getting rich', 'The science of being well' and 'The science of being great'. I found the essays quite interesting more so for a socio-economic and historical viewpoint as opposed to actual self help and motivation. 4 out of 12.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

A friend lent me this book and highly recommended it. I’m not a huge fan of self-help books, so I was a bit leery. I hate being preached at.

If I could sum up the whole book in a sentence, the message would be that if you visualize it and allow no room for negative thoughts, it will happen.

The book is divided into three sections. The Science of Getting Rich, The Science of Well-Being and The Science of Being Great. See yourself as successful. See yourself as healthy. See yourself as great.

I really had some issues with the health section. It seemed a bit dangerous. I’m not sure a person can visualize away cancer, but you’re not supposed to think about, look up diseases or allow any room for thought that you’re sick. Allegedly, if your body is diseased, it’s because you allowed negative thoughts to creep in. Exercising, unless it’s for play, like tennis or hiking to enjoy nature, is acknowledging the possibility of not being healthy. You should eat only when absolutely necessary to alleviate hunger. Ok. Sounds good. But you shouldn’t need to eat before noon and not after again unless absolutely necessary, and don’t eat for enjoyment, you glutton!

There is also a heavy religious component to this book, and I’m not religious, so that was an issue for me. The author talks a lot about having faith.

This book is not without a few pearls of wisdom. The power of positive thinking and visualization of what you want to be are powerful. BUT this book is not going to change my life.

I’m not looking forward to the awkward conversation with the friend who lent me this book.

[Dee Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and motivating. A good book to keep near bedside to dip into every so often to keep these messages in the forefront of your mind.

[#DÏ4B7Ø Chinnamasta-Bhairav]

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To SEE a WORLD in a Grain of Sand,
And a HEAVEN in a Wild Flower,
Hold INFINITY in the palm of your hand
And ETERNITY in an Hour"
~ William Blake ~

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Form is Emptiness; Emptiness is form.
Form is not different than Emptiness;
Emptiness is not different than form
~ Heart Sutra ~

Like the ocean and its waves,
inseparable yet distinct

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" I and The Father are one,
I am The Truth,
The Life and The Path.”

Like a river flowing from its source,
connected and continuous

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Thy kingdom come.
Let the reign of divine
Truth, Life, and Love
be established in me,
and rule out of me all sin;
and may Thy Word
enrich the affections of all mankind

A mighty oak tree standing firm against the storm,
As sunlight scatters the shadows of night
A river nourishing the land it flows through

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[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the "hundred year old book" that the author of The Secret claimed she used as the basis of her book.
Wallace Wattles died in 1911 so he truly was way before his time in new age thinking.
This is really 3 short books in one: The Science of Getting Rich, The Science of Being Well, and The Science of Being Great.
The entire 3 books can be summarized in the words As You Think, So Shall It Be.
I found it amazing that 100 years ago Wattles wrote so extensively on the mind-body connection.
Of course, he believes in the mind-life experience connection too.
He has some fascinating theories about The One Intelligent Substance that we can tap into at any time (and should be doing all the time). He believes that everything is good, that everything that happens, including war, etc. is to be viewed as good because it all helps mankind to turn in another direction and advance.
Think positively under ALL circumstances and at ALL times and you will grow rich, healthy, and successful!
I am taking some fun lessons from this book and leaving some for another day.

[Ryan Sutherland · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thoughtful and very insightful piece on the application of hegelian and abrahamic philosophy onto the subject matter of wealth generation. The poor score here comes from the fact that this was all the book was. When purchasing this book, I was anticipating and hoping to read a somewhat more 'scientific' book. The book was a very interesting read hence why it has been completed, but I believe the choice of title is rather misleading give the subject matter. There is far too much inferance to say that this book was establishing a 'science'. If the author had imposed economic theory as a method of making a quantitative and TRULY empirical theory, which I would love to see, then I would rate this book 5 star. Or, he can change the name of the book to "The Philosophy of Getting Rich".

Apart from this, I would certainly give this book a 5 star rating, as its philosophy was inspiring and liberating. And was simultaneously imposing and deliberate in its expression of its philosophy. If you are a person who is philosophically minded, or desire the path of riches, read this book.

[Cedric Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great principles. I believe Rhonda Byrnes book “The Secret” was written from the principles of Wallace Wattles “Science of Getting Rich” Wattles was ahead of his time but so were the writers, philosophers, prophets from the Bible, Koran, or Daoust. I love the way “The Science of Success” is Written. You can apply what’s taught from 1910 and use it today. It’s a timeless practical teaching. If anyone know LOA teaching you first have to feel it to attract it. In order to feel it then you must first think it. Thought comes from the inner being, your divine source or God. I think I will re read this continually. 🙂👊🏾💯

[John Lindstedt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a ton of books with these same ideas in them - essentially the law of attraction/ the secret etc - but this was the very first and appears to be the oldest. I don’t think those ideas work perfectly in the way people often speak of them, but still think they have a lot of merit, and this book really influenced my personality and way of thinking. I would recommend it but I’m sure you’ve read a similar, more modern book already.

[Edmond Geanta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although written a hundred years ago, the principles of success are very much the same and in a way the book reminded me of another great one - "The Secret". I particularly adhere to the idea of "Train yourself to think of and to look upon the world as something which is Becoming..."
Truly, a masterpiece every human should read and apply its wisdom.

[Ali Hysong · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has some really great sentiments but I didn't love the writing style. Quite repetitive and choppy.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writers with clarity and amazing in the new thought presentation.

[Carmen Alfaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

[Simone Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read fir all who seek wealth.

[Hussein Jaber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I philosophy book nice to read but it’s a lot of talking

[Elliott S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helpful in a rut, but it's a christian science book.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading new thought books. I have read millions of them and agree with the idea that mind creates reality. Everything was going well with this book, until I was halfway through it. His ideas are very similar to Neville Goddard and to others that I enjoy reading…however he began to contradict himself. He had a chapter that had to do with eating. He claimed “no amount of faith or mental work can substitute for a healthy diet and exercising“. And that is where he lost me. The entire idea of the new thought movement was that your mind creates reality… Literally. That nothing requires physical action because all is mind. Which was exactly what this author was saying. Then out of nowhere he’s contradicting the entire subject of the book as well as the new thought movement, by saying that “no amount of good thought or faith” will help you get in shape and that you need to diet and exercise. Which I completely disagree with and have proven wrong. But it wasn’t just about food or diet or exercise. It just showed me that even this author had limiting beliefs. How can one claim that mind will cure you of all illness just by thought and faith alone…and then claim that you can’t get in shape unless you exercise and diet? It made no sense to me so I stopped reading it. Tossed the book. I recommend Neville Goddard, Joseph Murphy, and Emmett fox. Because they consistently say the same things throughout their books. Authors such as this one you can tell still had limiting beliefs within them. Which of course is human. But I prefer the more “out there” authors who knew we were all in a works created by mind. By right thinking. By belief. By faith. Either you believe that’s the truth, or it’s all bs. There is no in between. Which is where I felt this author was.

[Carol Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first book The Science Of Getting Rich which the movie The Secret is based on. I learned lot and I want to keep learning. These books were written 97 years ago. If people all would of learned this then we may ahve been taught differently

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very familiar with most of the concepts in this book, but this puts another slant on them. Didn't agree with some of it.

I'm actually going to keep this book close so I can get my "thought/motivation/inspiration for the day".

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing to see the self-help and self-actualization movement starting so long ago and that is all saying the same laws ... a great thing to see that it is all true!

[Richard Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!

[Rochelle Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Combined with the shift in mindset and a clear action path established, readers will secure opportunities that come their way.

[H. Gerald Grinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for an old school motivation book. This is it.

[Mia Casparian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was very informative and opened my eyes to new concepts I didn't realize before.

[Kevin King · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent inspiration

[Boris Trucco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind blowing and revolutionary!

[Cassidy Gistinger · Rating 1 out of 5]

There parts of this book I highlighted, but I felt like it was very repetitive. The author also seemed very arrogant, which I wasn’t a fan of.