In words of the author this book teaches us the importance of having the 'right' thoughts about ourselves. It teaches that we should strangle every idea of deficiency, imperfection, or inferiority, and however much our apparent conditions of discord, weaknesses, poverty, and ill-health may seem to contradict, cling tenaciously to our vision of perfection. A positive outlook certainly goes a long way in overcoming fear and being happy. Spread over fifteen chapters and a conversational way of writing, it would surely interest those who are looking for a well-rounded, successful life. Dr. Orison Swett Marden (1848-1924) was an American inspirational author who wrote about achieving success in life and founded SUCCESS magazine in 1897. He is often considered as the father of the modern-day inspirational talks and writings and his words make sense even to this day. In his books he discussed the common-sense principles and virtues that make for a well-rounded, successful life. Excerpt: "What we yearn for, earnestly desire and strive to bring about, tends to become a reality. Our ideals are the foreshadowing outlines of realities behind them-the substance of the things hoped for."