Napoleon Hill was an American author who helped millions of people improve their lives. Hill’s work examined the power of personal beliefs and the role they play in success. His iconic book Think and Grow Rich earned him great acclaim, selling over 70 million copies. It is one of the best-selling books of all time and attracts new readers every year.
Napoleon Hill was born in a small cabin in the Appalachian section of Virginia. As a young man, he secured a position writing for a small newspaper in Wise County, Virginia. It was a serendipitous assignment, which required Napoleon to interview Andrew Carnegie. He often times would remark that this interview was the turning point in his life. During the interview, Hill was exposed to a key philosophy of the industrial magnate. Carnegie believed that success could be taught to most anyone, and if it were outlined in a simple formula, success could be achieved by anyone.
Andrew Carnegie lit a fire in Napoleon Hill, and he proceeded to interview 45 of the most successful businessmen in the country. He eventually compiled his findings in a book, called The Law of Success, which was released in 1928. There were several volumes to this priceless collection, and it sold millions of copies.
Through his interviews with the most prosperous businessmen of his time, Hill developed and eventually adopted the “Philosophy of Achievement”, a recipe for anyone wishing to leave their rags behind and find riches. The underpinnings of this philosophy are perfectly summarized at the end of The Law of Success, where he concludes that, “only by working harmoniously in co-operation with other individuals, or groups of individuals, and creating value and benefit for them, will one create sustainable achievement.”