Think and Grow Rich

“This book contains the secret, which has been put to a practical test by thousands of people from almost every walk of life. It was Mr. Carnegie’s idea that the magic formula, which gave him a stupendous fortune, ought to be placed within reach of people who do not have time to investigate how people make money. He hoped that I might test and demonstrate the soundness of the formula through the experience of men and women in every calling. He believed the formula should be taught in all schools and colleges, and expressed the opinion that it were properly taught it would so revolutionize the entire educational system that the time spent in school could be reduced to less than half.”

The author presents an ostensibly secret formula for success proposed by Carnegie, which has been tested by numerous individuals from various backgrounds. Hill offers this formula, believed to have contributed to Carnegie’s immense wealth, to those without the time to go through the complexities of wealth accumulation. The author’s insistence on his personal knowledge of Carnegie’s has been debunked—Hill almost certainly never met Andrew Carnegie or the business luminaries he claims to have interviewed.

“Over 15 million copies of this book have been sold. It became a road map for many millions of people to escape the poverty of the Depression era and gain prosperity for themselves, their families and, in many cases, their employees.”

Here the author suggests that the book has already been a guiding tool or “road map” for millions of people during the Depression era. This sales tactic is age-old; claiming that many have already approved of a product is a way to increase its appeal and bolster its bona fides, helping establish the credibility of the ideas presented in the book.

“Psychologists have correctly said that ‘when one is truly ready for a thing, it puts in its appearance.’ Barnes was ready for a business association with Edison, moreover, he was determined to remain ready until he got that which he was seeking. He did not say to himself, ‘Ah well, what’s the use? I guess I’ll change my mind and try for a salesman’s job.’ But he did say, ‘I came here to go into business with Edison, and I’ll accomplish this end if it takes the remainder of my life.’”

Hill’s rhetorical techniques use a veneer of expertise to hide broad and unproven generalizations. Here, by referencing unnamed “psychologists,” he relies on their implied authority as scientists and researchers; however, the notion that readiness precedes the appearance of opportunities has little to do with psychological theories. Hill implies that Barnes’s readiness for a business association with Edison played a crucial role in the eventual realization of his goal; however, by not supplying the stories of others who also wanted to partner with Edison but failed, Hill falls into the logical fallacy of arguing from conclusions.