Why did I buy this book?Well truthfully speaking, I hadn’t heard of the book till I bought it, I just happened to be at a book fair where this one caught my eye.Having my track of thoughts slightly on the negative side in those days, THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING by Norman Vincent Peale was the natural choice and a wise one.Normally the back cover page that describes the book(especially the motivational kind of books)is very promising and tempting but seldom are the standards met and the promises fulfilled.But this book was an exception, no doubt about that.
Dr.Peale has written an almost perfect book, in a language simple to understand and the style of writing humble.The examples stated are the ones that many of the readers will relate to, for they are common-life situations where one tends to get discouraged, negative, lacking in confidence, worried etc.These are just some of the many issues tackled by him in the book.Each of these problems has been duly analysed and the remedy/cure/solution fed beautifully to the troubled reader.At the end of each chapter there’s a detailed summary of these solutions, given in an absolutely systematic way.The POSITIVE ENERGY actually flows out of the book, and I am sure every reader’s faith in life and ’good things happen to good people’ is revived.
Another good thing is that the remedies prescribed to all the problems are practical and simple to follow.
However, one thing has to be made clear:even though the importance of God and the power of prayer is emphasised upon every now and then in the book, the book was after all written for the American masses primarily so there is a mention of the principles of Christianity and the teachings and philosophy of Jesus Christ, which our Hindu readers might not be familiar with.This could be a downside of the book.However, the verses from The Bible are simple to understand and they serve the purpose of motivation.
Ultimately, as a reader the goal would be a guide to positive thinking and better living, and it doesnt matter what religion it is that helps in achieving that goal.The book through the teachings of Christianity motivates the reader and if the suggestions by Dr.Peale, are followed whole-heartedly, then THIS BOOK WILL ACTUALLY CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF YOU LIFE-BRING YOU ON THE POSITIVE PATH.