Wallace D. Wattles

Wallace D. Wattles (1860-1911) was an American author and pioneer of the New Thought movement who wrote extensively about achieving success through positive thinking and personal development. His most influential work was "The Science of Getting Rich" (1910), which outlined his philosophy for attaining wealth through focused visualization and purposeful action. Wattles developed his ideas during America's Progressive Era, drawing inspiration from the writings of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and other philosophers while incorporating elements of Christianity and early self-help concepts. Despite living most of his life in relative poverty, he spent years studying the habits of successful people and developing his theories about prosperity consciousness. His other notable works include "The Science of Being Well" and "The Science of Being Great," which together form a trilogy of his core teachings about health, success, and personal development. These books continue to influence modern self-help authors and have been cited as inspiration for contemporary works like "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne. Though Wattles died shortly after publishing his most famous works, his ideas about mental attitude and success principles have maintained relevance in personal development literature for over a century. His writing style was characterized by clear, straightforward instructions and an emphasis on practical application rather than abstract theory.

Readers value Wattles' direct, actionable writing style and step-by-step approach to personal development. Many Amazon reviewers highlight the practical nature of "The Science of Getting Rich," with one noting "no fluff, just clear instructions anyone can follow." Readers appreciate: - Brief chapters with specific action items - Focus on mindset and practical steps - Clear writing without complex terminology - Religious/spiritual elements balanced with pragmatic advice Common criticisms: - Dated language and examples - Repetitive content - Oversimplified view of wealth creation - Limited scientific backing On Goodreads, "The Science of Getting Rich" maintains a 4.2/5 rating from 24,000+ readers. Amazon shows similar scores with 4.5/5 from 8,000+ reviews. One frequent comment mentions the book's influence on modern self-help authors. Several readers note the text requires multiple readings to grasp fully. A common critique points to Wattles' assertion that visualization alone creates success, with one reviewer stating "it overlooks real-world economic factors."

The Science of Getting Rich (1910) A practical guide outlining specific principles and mental exercises for accumulating wealth through focused thought and purposeful action.

The Science of Being Well (1910) A systematic approach to achieving and maintaining physical health through mental discipline and specific lifestyle practices.

The Science of Being Great (1911) A methodical examination of personal development principles focused on achieving one's full potential through mental attitude and practical habits.

New Science of Living and Healing (1910) A detailed exploration of health practices and healing methods based on natural principles and mental attitudes.

Health Through New Thought and Fasting (1924) A compilation of teachings about physical wellness combining mental techniques with practical fasting guidelines.

The Science of Getting Rich for Practical People (1911) A concise version of his wealth-building principles focusing on immediate practical application.

Making of the Man Who Can (1911) An examination of personal development focusing on building capability and competence in life endeavors.

Hellfire Harrison (1910) A novel exploring themes of personal transformation and spiritual development through fictional narrative.

Napoleon Hill wrote "Think and Grow Rich" based on studying successful people and developing systematic principles for wealth creation. His work shares Wattles' focus on mental attitude and specific techniques for manifesting success.

Charles F. Haanel authored "The Master Key System" which preceded Wattles and outlined similar concepts about using thought power to achieve goals. His weekly lessons on mental training and visualization techniques influenced many early New Thought writers.

Ernest Holmes created Science of Mind teachings that parallel Wattles' ideas about the role of consciousness in manifesting desired outcomes. His book "The Science of Mind" expanded on the relationship between thought and reality that Wattles introduced.

Thomas Troward wrote "The Edinburgh Lectures on Mental Science" which explored the philosophical foundations that Wattles later built upon. His work connects mental science to practical results through detailed explanations of universal laws and principles.

Prentice Mulford published "Thoughts Are Things" and other works establishing core New Thought concepts that Wattles later developed. His writings on thought power and its effects on circumstances laid groundwork for authors like Wattles to create practical applications.