A very short book, a quick read. Very inspiring. A simple premise, but a challenge to put into practice. I picked this up after noticing Emily in Emily of Deep Valley was reading it. I appreciated the projects she took on and thought this might be encouraging. A thoughtful book. As true today as it was in 1908! ( )

Heard about this book from the Backlisted podcast, so I figured it would be a good idea to start the new year with a short and sweet self-help book. The examples are dated since this book is over 100 years old, but the advice is still (mostly) true and applicable. I at least feel motivated to stop wasting so much time. ( )

A great book, short and cut to the point, if you have an hour and a half please read this book.

Dr George Sheehan turned me on to this interesting book, in his book about running. It's very zen for it day. ( )

I enjoy reading books written 100 years ago. The writing style is delightfully different, and it is intriguing how words have changed. Not to mention attitudes. Nowadays, a book with this title would tell us how easy it is, and cheer us on - "you can do it." Not this book. It was written when cheerleading was not the self-help style.

After bantering the reader for a while, he gets around to some suggestions. For those who don't like his suggestions, he has other suggestions. In any case, mind control is the key to happiness. He advocates spending half of the evenings of the week in developing the mind. He gives some suggestions on how to train the mind. Even if you like literature don't just read. There needs to be thinking involved. And if you enjoy reading, it should not just be novels. To him, poetry is "the highest form of literature." It might take a while before I want to read poetry. Alas, my education did not cultivate that interest.

CONTENTS
PREFACE
I THE DAILY MIRACLE
II THE DESIRE TO EXCEED ONE'S PROGRAMME
III PRECAUTIONS BEFORE BEGINNING
IV THE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE
V TENNIS AND THE IMMORTAL SOUL
VI REMEMBER HUMAN NATURE
VII CONTROLLING THE MIND
VIII THE REFLECTIVE MOOD
IX INTEREST IN THE ARTS
X NOTHING IN LIFE IS HUMDRUM
XI SERIOUS READING
XII DANGERS TO AVOID
( )