The Magic of Thinking Big - David J. Schwartz

I was given this book as a gift- one of the worst gifts I had ever received. They say that it's the though that counts- what thought? 'I'll give him a self help book'- what a lovely thought- apparently I've got a terrible life, thanks mum. Well, this book files both under self help and philosophy. Oh dear, another horrible misuse of the word philosophy- it used to be a genuine art, now it is other people telling you what to do with your life. And generally, these people are the annoying ones- David J. Schwartz seems to be one of them. The main ethos of the book is to make yourself a confident, ambitious person, so that you exceed your life's ...  Read the complete review

David Schwartz opens this self-help classic with the charming story of his young son who blurts out that when he grows up, he wants to be a Professor of Happiness. This optimism sets the tone for a very warm and uplifting book. It's worth mentioning up front that the book is very dated, even anachronistic. To me, that is part of its charm, evoking a picture-perfect post-war Americana of chrome, consumerism and optimistic salesmen (think of AMC's "Mad Men"). There are tales of World War II veterans, men in $100 silk suits and grand industrial corporations. Don't let the period setting fool you. The book is far ahead of its time in ...  Read the complete review