We need to overcome our fears of self-doubt reflected in the degree of fear and misunderstanding of wealth. Money is not the problem, for there are many with it who do great things for others. The problem comes in loving it above all else. But what the misinformed don't understand (yes, you who see the rich as evil for obtaining their riches) is that we all desire great riches.
Who doesn't? Who doesn't want absolute freedom to do as one sees fit? and in doing so maximize our potential, skills, desires, even the desire to reach out to aid others with our great riches, ala Bill Gates in his billions to the needy. Don't like the rich and what they're doing with their money? A great giver, you are? Then forget what you cannot control (the evil rich?) and receive your God-given right to wealth and abundance; obtain your own riches and come to the aid of yourself, your family, your country, your world in betterment and FEEL the LOVE! Set your legacy to EARN, pass on not only your riches but a richness of understanding to you and yours and theirs and theirs and theirs. A must read for all humans.
This is the main thrust of the book. It sets you right on the course of how to specifically obtain wealth. There is a little bit of spirituality involved, and if "God" offends, you may want to look elsewhere for inspiration. However, keep in mind that the current wealth gurus (T Harv. Ecker, Mark Victor Hansen, Robert Allen, and others) speak to the issue of mental attitude and clearing oneself of the "negative" and "unbelieving." It's actually the spiritual or, if you will, religious taken to market. I call it the sectarian "law of attraction." In order to get into the proper mindset, according to Wattles, you have to believe what you want is possible, clear your mind of all disbelief and doubt, and work toward helping others with a mind of cooperation (Wattles calls it the "creative") as apposed to the competitive.
What's good about the book is that it's not just all theory. And even though it was written a long time ago (1910), its format is inline with that of current gurus who advocate simplicity, directness, "cumulative points" review at end of each chapter, and exercises or the need for the reader to "do" not merely sit back and read.
Other than the fact that there are a few suggestions that the author makes that I don't agree with, for the majority, the book works on all levels. If you're looking to get rich for all the right reasons, then this is the book for you.