Foundation Stones to Happiness and Success

Book excerpt: Self-help books aim to help the reader with problems, offering them clear and effective guidance on how obstacles can be passed and solutions found, especially with regard to common issues and day-to-day life. Such books take their name from the 1859 best-selling “Self-Help” by Samuel Smiles, and are often also referred to as "self-improvement" books. This particular book concentrates on the fundamentals of achieving happiness and success in one's life, helping the reader understand what should be done and avoided in day-to-day life in order to live a rewarding and fruitful life. This volume will appeal to those seeking to improve their quality of life, and it would make for a worthy addition to any bookshelf. James Allen (1864–1912) was a British writer most famous for his inspirational poetry and being an early leader of the self-help movement. “As a Man Thinketh” (1903), his best known work, has been a significant source of inspiration for many self-help authors.